The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-07
NEGRO SOLDIERS
ARE NOT CLEARED
Brownsville Case Is Decided BY
the Military Court
SOME MAY RE-ENLIST
Eourtcep Negro Soldiers VIII Be Taken
Back Into the Service on Condi-
lions Imposed BY the Court
of Inquiry

Washington. April s.-The military
court of inquiry which, during the last
year. has been Investigating the shooting
up of Brownsville. Tex, finds that the
evidence clearly sustains that charge that
the shooting was done by soldiers of the
twenty-fifth infantry (colored).
The court is also of opinion that If
the officers of the regiment had per-
formed their respective duties i'm
mediately prior to the shooting, the af-
f1av could not have occurred. Further
more, IL the officers had performed their
duties Immediately after the shooting
some of the guilty men would nave
been discovered Fourteen men belong
ing to the twenty-ffth infantry are de-
clared eligible for re-enlistment. As to
the charges made by the mayor and citi-
zens of Brownsville, Tex, the court Is
of opinion that
First-The soldiers of the twenty-hfth
infantry, stationed at Fort Brown, Texas,
did, on the night of August 1874. 1905,
shoot into houses OF the town of Browns
Vile, Tex, occupied by men, women and
children, killing Frank Natus, citizen
of that town, seriously wounding the
lieutenant of police, NJ. Y. 1omingues,
causing him the loss of an arm, and kill
ing the horse under him. The court is
unanimous in its opinion that the evil
dence sustains the charges.
Second-As to the disciplinary aspect OF
their case, including the performance of
duty by officers and enlisted men of the
twenty-fifth infantry, garrisoned In Fort
Brown. Tex, on the night of August
1914. 1906, as measured by the standard
In the army, the court is of the opinion
that II the officers, non-commissioned Of
ficers and privates had performed their
respective duties, on, the evening of
August 13, Immediately prior to the shoot
ing ARRAY with appreciation of the obi
cations and responsibilities devolving
upon them by the serious situation then
confronting them, the shooting ARRAY
could not have occurred. Also if inn
msdiately after the shooting, when the
men had been charged with the crime
a careful inspection OF every man In
the garrison, including his arms, equip
ment and ammunition. had been made, as
attempted at daylight, several hours
afterWard. some of the guilty men would
have been discovered.
Third-As to eligibility to reinstatement
a majority of the court finds favorably
as to the qualifications of the following
men:
Company B, Twenty-fifth infantry,
James A. Coltraue, Edward l.. Daniels
Edward Warfeld; company {, twenty
fifth infantry. Robert Williams, Winter
washington, Elias Cant, John A. Jack
son. Samuel e. Scott and William Van
hook.
According to the terms of the act Great
,np the board of inquiry, the findings are
final and cannot be reviewed by any
ono.
Pripadier General Theodore Schwar
does not concur in the second conclu'
sion Lieutenant General Samuel b
Young and Major General Joseph p. Fan
ger do not concur in the third conclu
sion. a..
THE court adjourned sine die.
1rhe court consists of Lieutenant Gen
aral r. NJ. Young. Major General j. p
sineer Brigadier General Theodor'
Schwan. Brigadier General Butler |
Price' Rrigadier General John NJ. VIII
son and Captain Charles Rowland
| twentv-first infantry, recorder.