The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-15
Submits Batch of Testimony
Showing Negro Troops Did
''Shoot Up" Brownsville.
WITNESSES TELL STORIES
DISCHARGE OF TROOPS WAS
IMPERATIvE-EvID GATH.
Erred BY PURDY.
Publishers Press.J


washington, Jan. 14.-rhe presl-
dent sent message TO the senate re-
garding the discharge of the three
companies of the Twenty-fifth infan-
try. He defends his action in dis
charging the negro troops, saying it
would be absolutely impossible TO pre-
serve army discipline by pursuing any
other course. To justify his action he
submits reports from Major Blocksom
and Assistant Attorney General Pur-
dy, giving the results of Investigations
they made at Brownsville on the pres
ident's order
With the message were maps. dia-
grams. photographs. empty shells and
bullets from Springfield rifles.
The crimes committed at Browns
Vile the night OF Aug. Is. according to
the investigation ordered by the presi-
dent, are as follows: Murder OF
Frank Natus. assault on Lieutenant
OF Police Dominguez, assault on Hale
Odin,' wife and son; shooting into
houses containing women and chill
dren; wounding OF Paul Preciado, edi-
tor OF a paper
my evidence" says the message.
proves beyond the possibility of
doubt that some individuals among
the colored troops dismissed commit
ted these outrages and that others had
knowledge of the deed and shielded
the guilty from the law" The presi-
dent dismisses as ridiculous the
charge that Brownsville citizens COM
mitted the outrage with a view to
their throwing odiUm on negro troops
and obtaining their dismissal. That
the criminals were soldiers is shown
by the fact that reputable witnesses
saw their uniforms. heard their voices
Springfield rifles were used. no weap-
on1 of that kind being in the hands
Of civilians. and by examination OF
shells and cartridges showing that
they could not have been fired from
Krag-Jorgersen. or Winchester rifles.
"The finding OF this ammunition in
ITSELF" says the message, establishes
the guilt of the soldiers. and would be
conclusive. II no soldiers were either
seen or heard by Brownsville resi-
dents"
The evidence OF IA reputable wit
nesses is submitted. These saw the
attack in its various features and SUBJ
mitted sworn statements to the pres
ident's investigators. and 25 witnesses
saw minors phases OF the affair and
make statements accordingly.
From all this the president gathers
that from Is to 60 negro soldiers COM
mitted the outrage, and that some OF
the numerous shots were fired into
the town from the fort. "The shoos
ing" the president contends. was
done at midnight. After the first VOL
ley the soldiers advanced on the town.
firing into residences and two hotels.
with the results above mentioned.
Few Of the soldiers in the fort. there-
fore, could have been ignorant OF the
affair. Indeed, from this additional
evidence. It Is probable that few OF
the soldiers dismissed could have
missed seeing the attack. have gone
over every issue of law that
has been raised. am satisfied that
the effect of my order was not to bar
these men from. all civil employment
under the government, and that por-
ton OF the order is hereby revoked
AS to the rest of the order, dismissing
the individuals without honor, there is
no question as to my legal power. The
order was within my discretion under
he constitution and laws. and can not
be reviewed or reversed except by an
other executive order. Such action
was imperative unless / proved false
10 my sworn duty. If any of these
men can show he is clear Of guilt
will take what action is warranted.
put the circumstances l have related
certainly put upon such man the bur-
len of clearing himself"
Tafts Letter.
The letter of the secretary Of war
20 the president transmitting addi-
ional testimony in the Brownsville
,ase- accnmDanied the message. Ii