The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-10
Capt. Mcdonald Says Major
Shielded Negro Raiders.
FIRST ADMITTED THEIR GUILT
Noted Ranger Captain Declines to
Discuss PeurOse'S stntCmcnt That
McDoHnId II IA Contemplate Cow
ard-Arriyes in san Antonio, but
says He Is Not After Army Omcer.

Austin. March 9-When Capt. Bill Nc
Donald. former noted Ranger commander.
to-day read the press dispatches quoting
Mai. Penrose as having called him con-
tempdble coward. he said.
IF / discuss the matter ar all. it viii
be with Penrose personally, and not
through the newspapers.
Mcdonald left for San Antonio on a
late train Before leaving he issued "a
statement Of the Brownsville affair. Il
saws. in part.
"Penrose was guilty OF shielding the
guilty negroes who murdered Natus and
shot into the houses of the citizens Of
Brownsville. and caught him in the act
of trying to cover it up; and ! accuse
Macklin. too.
Tries to Protect soldier.
After / complained against twelve OF
the guilty soldiers and one ex-soldier, he
stated IN the presence of Mai BlocksOm
that I had six Of the right men. but FIVE
Others were not guilty. He nrst told me
but two negroes were out OF the post that
night.
Il then asked him about Corp. Miller.
Penrose said he was al rolI-caH at 5
and II O'Clock. and he knew he was there,
for be saw him. and that Capt. Macklin
talked with him. Capt Macklin made the
same statement.
Il then sent for Corp Miller. who
stated that ne WAS M saloon near the
market house when the shooting wss be-
ing done. and was at Mack Hamiltou's
house. and before il occurred he was in
1Iatamoras. Mexico. and never got to the
post until after ] O'Clock. I have since
understood that Penrose had ordered the
negro soldiers TO shoot me and my rang
ers If I undertook 60 spot them any
more"
Mcdonald Not After Penrose.
SPECIAL 10 The Washington Herald.
San Antonio. Tex. March 9.-CapI. W.
K. Mcdonald. former State ranger.
reached San Antonio tonight He de-
MED that he was here 70 see Mai Charles
". Penrose as a result of the latter s
statement Friday
Capt. Mcdonald said: I am just pass
ing through San Antonio on official bust
ness. looking after the revenue interests
of the State am going south of san
Antonio tomorrow morning. l am not
going 10 call on Mai. Penr0se"
Mai Penrose refused 10 discuss the
matter. This afternoon Col Glenn, his
counsel. issued a brief statement in his
behalf
Col Glenn said: Mai. Penrose has not
taken the trouble 10 affirm or deny the
question Of the disparaging remark made
about Capt. Mcdonald. If any remarks
were made they We're in a private con-
versation and not for publication
PenrOse Gets Washington Witness,
In the Penrose court-maTtial to-day the
defense stole a march on the prosecution,
The first witness from among the negro
soldiers of the Twenty-ffth Infantry ap-
peared in the person of Corporal Samuel
Wheeler. The unexpected advent from
Washington Of the former soldier upset
lhe calculation Of Gen. Glenn. and after
few brief questions he asked time TO
prepare for examination, and court ad-
iourned until Monday. The substance of
WheeIer's testimony was that he was at
Fort Brown on the night of August 1S.
and heard bullets whizzing in the air.
The shots appeared TO come from the di-
-ection of the town. he says.
Mattias Brown, who testified yesterday
to hearing bullets whistle near him. fired
! from Brownsville, was recalled for fur
ther REORGANIZATION. He did not sus-
/ tain himself well under Interrogation. He
| insisted that he saw no shots fired from
the gallery of the barracks at Fort
Brown Having sworn he blew out his
lantern when he heard the shooting. he
was asked why he Gid so if he thought
the shooting was an alarm for a fire in
Brownsville. he could only answer: Il
was accustomed to do that