Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-06
FRAZIER CALLED ROLL
Former Sergeant Tells About
the Brownsville Affair.
EXONERATES HIS OWN MEN
Thinks Some of the Others May Have
Been Involved.
BELIEVES THE CITIZENS GUILTY
Resumption Of the Investigation This
Morning by Senate Committee
on Military Affairs.
EXONERATES HIS OWN men
BELIEVES THE CITIZENS GUILTY

The Senate committee on military affairs
began its third day of the hearing relative
to the alleged shooting up of Brownsville
Texas, by members of the 18th Infantry
last August at 1870 today. A large num-
Der of witnesses thronged the corridor out
side the committee room waiting to be
called. Former Sergeant Israel Harris, hav-
ing finished his testimony, was permitted
to return to his home in Boston and was
succeeded today by Jacob D. Frazier, form
er first sergeant of Company D, 18th Infan-
try. Senator Foraker conducted the exam
nation and he had not proceeded far when
his methods were challenged by Senator
Pettus who declared that the Ohio senator
was leading the witness.
Sergeant Frazier is regarded as one of the
most important witnesses in behalf of the
men of the company, as he was in a posi-
ton to know a great deal Of their actions
and counted them when the call to arms
was made at midnight of August h. Ser
geant Frazier replied to questions at length,
showing an inclination to give a full MARIA
tive of everything that took place on the
night in question.
He had heard shots, having been awak-
ened in his quarters at about 10 O clock He
was married man and had permission to
800 feet from the gateway. He got up and
ran to the barracks as soon as he could
dress.
Capt Lyon ordered lin to call the roll
after the company formed a skirmish line
behind the brick wall. He did so, observing
the men as they answered to their names
Seven were on guard duty and two were
absent on pass. but all were either present
or accounted for.
Senator Foraker: did anybody Join your
company after the line was formed behind
the brick wall?'
mo, SIR"
Would you or Capt. Lyon have noticed
any one If he had Joined the company"
Eyes, SIR
The witness told of the tour made by his
company through the town that night. and
when they came back he went through the
barracks and saw that the guns of the
members of the company were all there to-
gether with ammunition.
inspection Of Guns.
He described the inspection on the morn
ing of August IA.
Capt. Lyon he said, when the inspec-
ton was made ordered men about whose
guns he had any doubt to step forward and
then he ordered the quartermaster sergeant
to get all the cleaning rods they had and
to get some pieces OF rag. We had con-
demned sheets or pillow cases that were
used to clean guns. Capt Lyon took the
ramrod and put a piece of clean rag on the
end Of 1T and ran 1t through the gun, and
he did not find any marks Of powder at
all. After he was satisfied he reported to
the commanding officer. Capt. Lyon then
passed on to Company B."
Senator Foraker-'Did he also inspect the
ammunition
1.-The ammunition was inspected"
When had they last inspected the guns?"
Saturday
The ARRAY Of the 13th was on Monday
night.
The witness said in reply to a question
that there was no place in Brownsville
where ammunition for a Springfield rifle
could be purchased.
Senator Foraker-"Can you tell US who