Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-12-14
THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Y
s'The White House. Dec. IA. 1908.


then follows with detailed statements
of those who aided in the Investigation
of the raid.
Mr.. Brownies general report is dated
Washington, D. c., 9Th. and is as fol-
lows:
BROWNIES REPORT.
Sir: have the honor to submit the
cation Of the Brownsville raid:
'Ex-Private Boyd ConSers OF COM
pany b, Twenty-hfth infantry, low at
Monroe, Ga, told William Lawson,
detective in the employe of Capt. Will
liam G. Baldwin of Roanoke. Va, that
he and three Cor four) other men OF
the Twenty fifth infantry We're the
leaders in the Brownsville raid. This
Information was obtained at different
dates during the month of June, 1908.
Il submit the affidavit as presented.
There are certain discrepancies of
minor character, due to the fact that
Lawson is illiterate and had to depend
on his memory for details. But it
should be borne in mind that Lawson
was Eunacquainted with the details of
the Brownsville raid and was given
information which could have come
only from one familiar with the secret
history Of the affair. Lawson's first re-
port included the names of Conyers,
John Holloman, John Brown and an
other man. Subsequently he supplied
the name of James Powell, but think
the original name given was that OF
Robert l.. Collier, company G, one of
the relief guard. This information was
corroborated In the presence of witt
nesses but before Lawson could finish
his work Conyers became suspicious
aud would give no further evidence In
eliminating himself. From then on he
furnished to A. II. Baldwin, Capt. w.
c. Baldwin and to myself information
piecemeal and reluctantly. The name
of Carolina De Saussure, his bunk
mate, was the last one drained.
"Conyers tried to commit suicide af-
II ter he found that he had made his
statement to detective. declaring that
the other negroes, would kill him when
it got out. He finally wrote TO Sem
ator Foraker and received a reply.
copy of which is annexed That re-
ply he construed to mean that he
should stick to his original story told
before the senate committee at all
hazards and there he stands have
every reason to believe that his con-
fession is genuine and gives for the
first time the true secret history OF
the BROWNSVILLE raid.
List or PARTICIPANTS.
"The list participants given in this
report Conyers furnished me personal
9ly. i believe it is substantially correct,
but with the influences shown to be
backing Conyers to adhere to his false
testimony given before the senate COM
5mittee still being feXerted he cannot be
relied on to support his own confess
sion until it is thoroughly. sustained
from other sources
evidences of similar encouragement
to stick to the lies told at Brownsville
"a tn pnrr,1niftpa
found in many places. and subsequent
to the date of the Foraker letter they
became stronger and more obstructive
than ever.
THE investigation has been con-
Quoted with strict recognition of the
with discretion. No promises Of i'm
munity were made. The knowledge,
on the part of eX-soldiers, that the
government could not punish them af-
ter their separation from the service,
coupled with the belief that by preserv-s
sage of the relief legislation now pend
ing in Congress. has added to the DIFF
ticulty OF securing information.
The issue has evidently become rae
ial. These colored detectives would be
confronted frequently in the smaller
towns, where these men are leaving
with with demand from colored men
for information as to their business.
We have located over 100 of these
ex-soldiers, and have been in 80 states
in quest Of information. The appen-
dices give statements as to the re-
suits obtained. They indicate general
knowledge on the part of eX-soldiers
that the raid came from Inside the
fort and that the soldiers of company
B were the guilty parties.
eve earnestly urge that we be per
mitted to continue the Investigation.
Several detectives are still III the field. 4
and within the coming week a number
of atfidavits will be forthcoming.
The letter sent by Senator Foraker
to Convers. and spoken OF In the re-
port, follows:
United states Senate. Committee on
Pacific Islands and Porto Rico:
Cincinnati, o.. Aug. 2, 1906.--Mr. Boyd
sConyers, Monroe Ga.--Dear Sir-On
my return here found awaiting me
your letter of July "a.
II hardly know from what you state
Just what 1t is that has transpired, nor
do know Just what it is should do to
get tho character of Information 70
which you refer. If you will write
me again at your convenience, giving
me a clearer account, I Will be glad 10
avail myself to the extent that it may
be useful.
II remember you gerry well as a Wit 4
ness before the committee, and | am
sure you did not there testify to any
thing except only the truth
VERY truly yours,
(signed.) -. g. FORAKER
ILLICIT DlsTlILERY FOUND
q