New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-02
CAPTAIN MACKLIN HEARD.
Does Not Believe Negroes Guilty
of Brownsville Shooting.

washington April 1.-The testimony OF Captain
Edgar A. Macklin. OF Company c. 25th Infantry
was taken by the Senate Committee Military
Affairs to-day in the Brownsville investigation. Il
proved interesting particularly for the that
Captain Mackln is tried by courtmartial after
his return 20 Texas and that he was shot by IN
unidentified masked Negro at Fort Reno after the
Negro soldiers were taken away from Fort Brown
Although there is no evidence tending 20 show that
tho Brownsville ARRAY responsible for the at
tack upon him. many have expressed the opinion
that the two incidents connected. particularly
as he was the first Of the white officers produce
damaging evidence against the former soldiers He
does not believe the Negroes were guilty OF the
shooting at Brownsville. according 20 his story told
on the stand to-day.
Captain Macklin said that waen the firing oc-
CURED on the night of August Is he was in bed In
his quarters. having retired at about 11:J0 o'clock
and was not awakened until 1855 some time after
the firing had ceased. He then Joined his company
and had charge Of the guard for the remainder OF
the night. Early the next morning he made an
examination OF the garrison 10 ascertain the effects
OF the shooting and. finding damage there. went
outside the gate and at the mouth OF alley
not far from the garrison wall he found six cart
ridge clips and cartridge SHELLS OF the type
used for the sPringtield rife. These shells were
eter which. in reply to a question from Senator
unless they had been placed there by some one
Senator Foraker asked captain Mackln Il he had
witness replied that he had done everything pos
mem Of his Command Senator Foraker then asked
him to give his opinion as to who did the shoot
ing Hestating moment, Captain Mackin said:
We'll l don't think the men did it,
AfterWard he said that in their excitement and
confusion the might have fired feW shots
from the barracks, but he had nothing 70 In
dicate they had done So and he could not believe
toward the investigation. and said he had read
every line OF testimony taken in tha various In
ouIries and is convinced that the firing was not
done by the of the 18th Infantry.
At the afternoon session Captain Macklin was
cross-examined. principally as to where no was
when the shooting occurred and the evidence given
by former Negro soldiers that they had been un-
rose sent them to arouse him. Captain Macklin
said he did not believe the soldiers had come to his
quarters He had theory as 90 where the men
went 10 find him, and his attorneys had talked 10
tham about t. and their statement would probable
come out when he is tried by court martial. He
y,ns not pressed further this point
The shells which Captain Macklin picked up ont
eide the garrison wall We're put in his desk ne
Said and forgotten till after the battalion left ort
T3rovyn Scare for them later had been unavailng
He testified that he had told all the facts cOnnccsi
With the finding of these shells to Major Penrose
as Inspector, but had not told Colonel Lowering az
fbem because the colonel asked that witnesses M
swer only such questions as were put 70 them in
examination .,.-, -
Concerning the attack on him at Fort Reno ofter.
the brownsville ARRAY, when tho captain was
shot through the head The witness said Ia We
% doubt as to who did the shooting az was
A"Officers Of my regiment tried TO make ma he
,a,Se that the shooting was for the DurnOsa 90 -
bery. he said, but 1t is my own opinion mae ~
was not