The Little River news. (Ashdown, Little River County, Ark.) 1897-current, 1917-08-29
TAKE NEGROES
FROM TEXAS
Texas Official Texed That They Are
Taken From Their Authority.
GOurt.Martial Is
Likely.


nouncements have been made. it is
reported that the War Department has
under consideration plans for separate
training camps for white and negro
troops drafted into the National Army
Orders are expected early next week
tor the mobilization OF tie Twelfth
Regiment OF Engineers Reserve, re-
cruited largely from railroad men in
the Southwest Many Arkansas men
are il this regiment.
Houston. Texas, Aug. 25.-Though
Houston is relieved tonight that mar
tial law VIII end tomorrow and that
the riotilg negroes Of the twenty
fourth Infantry no longer are able to
cause further trouble. county Oft
cials expressed resentment that the
mon should nave been taken from
their authority.
The fact that they We're removed
to Columbus. \. NJ, does not mean
that We Will not ultimately take a
hand in the punishment OF the black
sol5iers,' sad District Attorney
John H. Crookar In my opinion the
court-martial which will be given by
the military authorities Gees not ;,D-
rogate the right to trial by the civil
authorities. Those that escape pun
isnment in the military court will be
prosecuted in the courts OF Harris
county.
State Would Try Men.
Evidence OF the intention of the
local officials not to let the matter
drop With the departure OF the negro
for Columbus, was con-
tanned this afternoon in the action
OF the Harris county Grand Jury. This
body, as soon as it learned that "a ne
groes held i'll Jail had been turned
over to the army before DAY break, be-
gan consideration OF the blanket
charges preferred by Mr Crooker In
a few hours, it returned murder indict-
ments against the "a ana six others
who had not been arrested.
Court. Martial, Says Gen. Bell.
Major General George Bell, il, who
arrived this morning from san An
tonic and took command, indicated
that there is slight possibility Of any
of the men beng returned here fer
civil trial.
Il assume" he said. that the
local authorities will seek 10 try the
men against whom charges have been
filed. However, their disposition is
in the hands of the military. They
will be court-martialeu. The justi3e
melted out by the army authorities
will be obtained much more quickly
than it could be by civil proceed
ings."
District Attorney Croker said this
morning when he heard that during
the night the "a negroes confined III
the Harris county Jail had been re-
luONeu anu sent 10 Columbus WITH
their comrades: Il don't think they
would have taken them away so
easily if l had been the court to is
sue the warrants against them"
Funerals OF Victims.
Alternative sadness and gladness
swayed the Saturday crowds in down.
town Houston today. There was
gladness because the tragedy had
passed without any darkening sequel.
and sadness because every other hour
broke grim reminder of Thursday
nights horror in the passage of funer-
al corteges.
Thousands paid tribute to Capt. J.
w. Mates when his casket. placed on
a truck and mantled by the colors,
was taken to the station to be sent to
Chicago. Captain Mates was shot
down as he approached the scene of
the disturbance in police officer
automobile.
H.