Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-26
IND|CT "a NEGROES
FOR HOUSTON RIOT
Texas Grand Jurors Act De-
spite Removal of Prisoners
to Columbus.
ARMY IS TO HOLD ACCUSED

n the Associated Press.
HOUSTON, Tex, August 26-lndict-
ments charging murder against inc
sAirty-four negro troopers of the <ash
Infantry who had been arrested oy c'Vii
authorities and six others stu AT large
ve,e returned by the Harris county
Grand jury today. after the prisoners
together with all other members OF tho
regiment, were transferred to Column
bus. n. M.
As soon as it became generally
known that the negroes who partici-
pated in Thursday nights military
riots in which seventeen persons were
killed had been turned over 10 army
authorities the grand jury ac,ed.
County officials expressed resentment
that the men should have been taken
from their authority
The fact that they were removed 70
Columbus does not mean that we Will
not ultimately take a hand in the pun.
ishment of the negro soldiers saio
District Attorney John H Croker
In my opinion the court-mar.ial
which will be given by the military
authorities does not abrogate the
right to trial by the civil authorities
Those that escape punishment in the
military court will be prosecuted In
the courts of Harris county.
feeling of relief. mingled with sad
ness. swayed the crowds in downtown
Houston today. There was RELIEF tnat
the tragedy had passed without any
darkening sequel and sadness because
every hour brought grim reminder OF
Thursday nights horror in the passage
Of funeral corteges.
Pay Tribute to Capt. Mates.
Thousands paid special tribute to
Capt J. w. Mates when his casket.
Ynanflad
colors. was taken to the station TO De
sent to Chicago
Capt. Mates was shot down as he
approached the scene of the disturbance
In q police oficers automobile.
Indications are that there will be no
more deaths as a result of the shoot
ing and that the total casualties Will
stand as they were yesterday counted.
seventeen dead and twenty-one wound
cd. Two victims lost arms by amputa-
tion and third must have a leg taken
OF.
Col George o. Cress. inspector gen.
eral of the Southern Department, ar
rived today and began to assemble data
on the shooting. He visited Brig. Gen.
John A. Hulen of the Texas National
Guard. District Attorney Croker, the
chief OF police sheriff and; and ether nx.r aq 10
him the statements Of captured negro
soldiers that Sergt. Vida Henry. who
was killed. was the ringleader and
A tour of the city and conferences
with Gen. Hulen and others quickly
convinced Gen. Bell that the additional
troops rushed here from Fort Sam
Houston. at San Antonio. and Fort
Crockett. at Galveston. were no longer
needed They were sent back to their
stations this afternoon
Justice Swifter in the Army.
81 assume" Gen. Bell said. that the To-
cal authorities will seek to try the men
against whom charges have been filed
However, their disposition is in the
hands of the military They will be
eoart-martialed. The justice melted out
by Army authorities will be much
quicker obtained than it could be by
civil procedure"
District Attorney Croker said when
he heard that during the night the
thirty-four negroes confined in the Har-
ria county Jail had been removed and
sent to Columbus with their comrades:
them away SO easily IL / had been the
court to issue the warrants against
them"
! Gen. Bell said 1t would be impossible
for him to discuss plans for the court
martial, or to say where it will take
place. He continued. though:
'Mutiny in time of war is punishable
by death. Murder at all times involves
dealt out to those participating in the
disturbance promptly and effectively.
'I am not prepared to speak of the
. eauses Of Thursday nights trouble"
Gen. Bell said. Tt Is to be assumed.
though, that the negroes thought that
some one had sighted them in some
: way. The Path has had fine Army
record None Of these men was impli-
eafed IN the Brownsville trouble At
Columbus they behaved themselves"