New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-16
NEGROES DEFENDED.
Merican Witness Says They Did Not
Shoot at Brownsville.

washington. March ia witness OF many OF the
incidents OF the ARRAY at Brownsville was put
on the stand to-day by Senator Foraker and cross
examined by nearly every member of the Senate
Committee on Military Affairs He was Macias G..
Aomayo Mexican carpenter, Of Brownsville who
also mad the contract for the scavenger work at
FoFt Brown. His evidence was the best defence OF
me Negroes yet given in the pending investigation.
Ahother interesting development was a statement
OF senator Foraker that he paid out OF his own
pocket the expense OF sending man South to see
prospective witnesses. This disclosure came early
IA the day as the result Of a protest by Mr.. For
aker against certain cross examination of wit
nesses.
Three former members of the 26th Infantry tes-
tined to hearing threats against Negro soldiers
Inc report from the Springfield arsenal, where
microscopic tests OF shells picked up in Browns
V1lle streets and bullets found in the walls Of
houses there have been made. awaits the
disposition OF the committee. The officer who
1naoe the examinations arrived in Washington to-
Gay and conferred with Secretary Taft and Gen
e'A Crozier the chief of ordnance Later, ac-
companied by these officials. he laid his report be-
fore President Roosevelt He may be called by the
committee tomorrow
1omayo is an intelligent appearing Mexican He
Is not much than five tall, and very dark
he testified that he is under the average height
ana that most OF the citizens Of Brownsville
larger and the police will average about six feet
de said it would be difficult at night to tell them
from Negroes. All the policemen and many Of the
ciuSens wore khaki. he said, it being a practice OF
some citizens to buy and wear cast off army uni
forms
when the shooting began on the night OF August
Il" AomayO was working in the OF 81 bar
racks he said. and the first shot caused him 10
sFaighteu I'D and listen. He said it from
me alley. about half a block from the reservation
another shot fred almost Immediately. and
Aomayo quickly extingulshed his lantern. for fear
OK being made a target He says thers followed
fusllade of shots ana the bullets whIstled over
fred he
building. He thought there about twenty
shots fired After the voey. he said. he got his
cart and drove out between b. and d. barracks
toward the administration building. The remainder
OF his story in relation to the call TO arms and
the formation OF the companies. which he saw
incident to the completion OF his scavenger work
At the time of the firing. Tonnage said. soldiers
old not leave the barracks TO enter the town
enter the barracks from the town. but cross
examination he would not say that It would have
been impossible for soldiers TO have hidden along
the wall in the rear Of the outhouses and wood
sheds. He was absolutely certain though. that
soldiers could not have fired from the barracks
into the town without his seeing the flashes OF the
guns and hearing the reports OF them. on these
points he was closely cross-questioned by Sen
ators Warner. Frazier, Foster and Overman but
his story could not be shaken. He volunteered the
statement that when he was examined by AS
sistant Attorney General Purdy and Mai Block
son. Mr. Purdy tried to get him to say that the
first shots fired from within the barracks
and that he became frightened and jumped on his
cart and drove away. He said Mr.. Purdy got him
confused and he answered Yes once when he
meant NO" and that Mr.. Purdy then told him
TO wait until he got his stenographer When the
question was again put. Tonnage said he under
stood it. and answered that the first shot came
from the alley he had before stated When
Senator Foraker insisted on bringing out this tes-
timony. Senator Warner protested but the Ohio
Senator declared that he purposed TO have the
character OF the examination of witnesses at
former Investigations where chance for cross
examination was given. made part of the record.
Iomayo replying to questions by Senator
Warner. said he did not hear the sentry fire his
rife in calling the guard. did he hear any per-
sons from outside the wall challenge the soldiers
20 come out had been told by a number OF
former Negro soldiers. He said. however that the
firing IN the town made a great deal OF noise. as
also did his cart when he drove away.
The fact that Senator Foraker is gathering evil
oence at his own expense in defence OF the Negroes
was disclosed IN a sharp clash between members
OF the committee. Senators Overman. Foster and
Warner had piled a number Of witnesses with
questions as 10 whom they had talked with before
coming TO Washington to testify These witnesses
confessed that they had seen man named Fer
guson. who asked what they knew concerning the
Brownsville affair. and the Senators named dis
played active interest in Fergusons mission
and as to whether he white q Negro.
The witnesses seemed 20 be IN doubt Again and
again they asked IL Ferguson white
when Corporal Rinmel a cook Of Company NJ.
2Sth Infantry. recalled for cross-examination.
Senator Foraker sat silent until the question
seemed 10 raise some doubt as TO whether the wit
ness was telling the truth concerning his acquaint-
ance with Ferguson, and the Senator interrupted.
Ferguson went down to Fort Sam Houston at
my expense. ! received anonymous letter CIV
formation that might be- Of value in this Inquiry
These persons were said TO be az Fort Sam Hous-
ton. and l sent Ferguson down there to talk with
them ana md out what they knew II any one
suspects mat the manner or conducting this exam
ination and the handling OF witnesses is not il
should be would like to take the stand and make
an explanation
Senators Warner Overman and Foster fastened
70 assure Senator Foraker that they had no criu-
explained tina: since fl had been Indicated that
Constitutional League had obtained afidavts from
the stand. thu examination here was to determine
whether Fergusoa was "a representative Of that
league.
Assurance was given BY. senator Foraker that
tional League, and Senator Overnan asked laugh
ingly:
Senator Foraker. He then Withdrew the remark.
i9r the reason he said that he vas IN doubt ana
ala not want to give offence The senator the4
explained that he had been assigned by the com
mittee TO conduct the direct examination of the
witnesses and he had not sought the appointment
Il insisted that Ex-Governor Black or New YORK,
70 defend fbe Eero py soldiers dG should Conduct The
examination. added Mr. Foraker You did not
mated As 10 Ferguson; want II undeTslo9d now
for all time that employed him myself and old 1t
The Incident was passed over after an exchange
OF compliments between MI. FORAKER ana the
Senators taking the opposite side Of the case
| EXPERT TESTIMONY IN PENRosE TRIAL.
San Antonio Tex March 15-Expert testimony
introduced by the defence in the Penrose court
martial to-day Lieutenant Wiegensden demon
strated to the court how Springfield cartridges