New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
BROWNSVILLE INQUIRY.
Sergeant Says Citi1ens Could Not
Get Springfield Cartridges.

Washington. Feb. 6--The Senate Committee on
Military Affairs continued the Brownsville hear
ing to-day. Jacob D. Fraser. former first sergeant
of Company D, 18th Infantry. the first witness.
Senator Foraker conducted the examination, and
he had not proceeded far when his methods were
challenged by Senator Pettus who declared that
the Ohio Senator leading" the witness.
Fraser testified that with other married soldiers
he permitted TO live outside the post quarters
and at home with his family on the night Of
August 10, when the firing in Brownsville occurred
Fraser testified that each man had twenty rounds
of ammunition. ten Of which were carried in belt
and ten in a cartridge box The cartridge boxes
were not carried during the inspection, but We're
left at quarters About two days after the trouble
all ammunition was ordered turned in, and all was
properly accounted for.
Senator Warner examined the witness
Fraser had believed. he said. that of the
soldiers had shot up the town, but the opinion
was based upon the fact that nis commander had
told him; he had never heard any OF the SOL
diers admit It. He had talked with many of the
men and said he had talked way" to them
in order that they might talk the other way
and find out who did the shooting. 4 acted
very secret he said, find out about IT." He
stated It his present belief that the citizens Of
Brownsville had themselves shot up the town
to drive the soldiers away Mr. Overman asked:
DO you think citizens would kill one OF their
number-Commit murder-tO get YOU away
Fraser replied: Il don't know whether any one
killed: they wanted away. Coored men
would spend very little money in the saloons on
account of their treatment and the citizens OF
Brownsville wanted white soldiers who would
spend the money"
With reference to the contention that the citizens
of Brownsville disguised soldiers the fact
brought that the witness had testified in
a former hearing that the citizens might have pro-
cured discarded caps and uniforms from soldiers
who had been there before them. He said to-day,
however. that all IN the 25th Infantry wore
hats In describing the cleaning Of n gun for in
spection Fraser stated that It took from half
hour to forty minutes Sergeant Harris had pre-
viously testified that It took about ten minutes.
Fraser was of opinion that the inspection
made about 40 a. m. whereas Harris placed the
time at 6:15. Fraser also testified that the state
ment of Harris that tho at inspection carried
cartridge boxes and that they were inspected was
not correct. The boxes We're at quarters He said
mat ms zeal in trying 10 find out secretly who
old the shooting was due to his desire to protect
ms own army record, and he presented a letter
10 ms excellent character and recommending that
ne be permitted to re-enlst.
CHARLES Dade, former cook of Company D, said
that the MCKeever belts and boxes We're carried by
ms men at the inspection the morning after
the shooting
Jerry Z. Reeves, former sergeant of Company d.
was positive that his company web belts at
the inspection and that McI[eAyer boxes were
thirty minutes to clean rifle. but II depended
largely upon the quickness OF the No SOL
practice or at quarters without running the risk OF
court martial, he said. Senator Overman asked.
could the citizens OF Brownsville get any Spring
field cartridgesf' and Reeves replied. NO"
Reeves said that Major Penrose had ordered every
non-commissoned officer TO find out who did the
shooting.