The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-25
Negro Troopers Will Get Quick
Justice, Says Bell.
Mutiny in Time of War Is Pun
ishabIe by Death.
SHERIFF GIVES UP PRISONERS
Investigate Act; Civil Authori-
les Brought Murder Charge.
houston Demands All other
Negro Troops Be Removed.

Houston. Aug. 25.-The fate of the
more than 100 negro soldiers VINO
Thursday night shot up San Felipe
street and the west end of Houston,
with a total of seventeen deaths. to-
dav is entirely in the hands of the mil
nary Notwithstanding the action of
District Attorney John II. Croker IN
filing murder charges against thirty
four Of the men.
The Harris county grand jury this
afternoon returned indictments charg-
ing murder against the thirty-four
negroes held in the Jail last night but
later turned over to the military au-
thorities. Six others not under arrest
also were indicted.
The battalion of the Twenty-fourth
infantry which included the shooters
early today was piled on train and
started west toward it's old kation at
Columbus. y. NJ. Maj Gen. George
Bell Jr. who arrived this morning
fro m San Antonio and took command,
indicated that there wa slight posi-
bility of any of the men being re-
turned here for civil trial. saying they
would be court martialed and justice
mcteG out quickly.
locks Like Death Penalty.
He dded that it would be impossi-
hle for him to disclss plans for the
c art martial or to say where 1t would
take place. He continued tho;
"Mutiny in time of war is punish
able by death. Murder at all times
involves the death penalty. Punish
merit will be dealt out to those partic-
ipa,irg in the disturbance promptly
and effectiveley." The general re-
fused to comment on the statement of
Mai X s. Snow. the commander of
the negro battalion, last night that
conditions in Camp Logan Thursday
night were practically mutiny.'
Houston today gave no external evil
dence of the tragedy thru which it has
passed, save for the presence of armed
guards on the street cars and in the
thorofares OF the city. Business went
on as usual and with quiet thorCly re-
stored it was expected soon that sa-
lonns would be reopened.
Gave Up Prisoners.
Immediately after news was obtain
ed that the "a negroes held in the
county eail had been turned back to
the military authorities the Harris
county authorities began an investiga-
ton.
The matter was called TO the grand
jurY's attention by aLwrence William
son, assistant district attorney, acting
under instruction from Mr.. Crooker
The jury investigated not only the
murder charges brought against the
negroes but the action of Sheriff NJ.
f. Hammond in giving up custody OF
the prisoners. Justice Leon Lusl;,
who issued blanket murder warra nj
against the "a men. said that persons
charged with the crime of murder or
other crime cannot be released legally
without a release being issued by .
court of competent jurisdiction
Il want it distinctly understood, ="
he explained that I issued no release
for these men and have given no one
authority to Telea Sc them The Grim ee
they committed took place before
martial law was declared"
Demand Removal of Negroes.
kilograms We're sent to The Texas
delegation at Washington today by
oil; nrtinued Tage Twei