Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-11-03
NEGROES INSISTED
ON HOUSTON RAID
Officers Menaced by Death
While Attempting to Keep
Blacks in Camp.
TRIO OF RIOTERS IDENTIFIED
Captain Shekerjian Points Out
Prisoner as Man Who
Threatened Him.
TRIO OF RIOTERS IDENTIFIED

SAN ANTONIO Nov Positive
Identification of three negroes of the
Twenty-fourth infantry who partici-
pated in the riot at Houston, August
2S, last, which resulted in the death
of 22 persons, was made this after
Twen'y-fourth infantry testifying at
the court-martial trial of the 63 ne
groes who are charged with mutlny,
murder and rioting. The ldentifica-
ton was made in connection with q
detailed narration Of events leading
up 10 the rioting.
The three negroes who were posi-
lively Identified were Corporal j. r.
Hawkins, Corporal G.. Brown and pri-
vate Ira Davis. They were among the
defendants in the colStroom.
Precipitated by Sparks.
The shooting up of Houston, ac-
cording to Captain Shekerjjian's testi-
mony, was precipitated by the action
of Policeman Sparks of Houston in
abusing Corporal Charles Baltimore
of tn" Twenty-fourth infantry when
he arrested him in the streets of
Houston on the afternoon preceding
the night Of the outbreak. At the time
of Baltimore's arrest, the witness tes-
titled, Baltimore was on military po-
lice duty and wore a'polce badge that
was plainly visible to Policeman
Sparks.
Captain Shekeriian, who was on the
witness stand practically all OF the
afternoon, testified that he was az
Camp Logan about 1880 o'clock on
the afternoon preceding the shooting
when n negro soldier and n civilian
brought in a report that Baltimore had
been shot in the head and was lying
II street in Houston. Mai. X. S.
Snow, hc said, sent him into the city
to investigate.
Sparks Says Blacks Insulting
The witness told o>going to police
headquarters, where he conferred with
Chief of Police Brock OF the Houston
police force. Both Baltimore and
Sparks told their stories of the Incl
dent in the chiefs office. Shekerjlan
testified. Sparks saying that Balti-
more used insulting language to him.
An officer. who was with Sparks at
the time of Baltimore's arrest. denied
this, witness said. Chief Brock then
suspended Sparks. 1t was agreed at
police Headquarters that Sparks was at
fault" Shekerjian testified.
Captain Shekerjian then said he
took Baltimore back to camp. in
whole affair. Baltimore said he un-
derstood." witness said.
Protests IN Vain
Arriving at camr- -Shekerjian said he
called all the first sergeants into his
tent and told them Of the incident, ex-
planning that Sparks would be prop
erly punished and instructed the non
commissioned officers to explain the
situation fully to the men at retreat
at 6 O'Clock. Major Snow had pre-
,iously cancelled all passes for the
night, he said.
Shekerjian then detailed the hap
penings in camp later in the evening,
telling of learning that the negro SOL
diers were obtaining ammunition and
of his efforts to restore order
The soldiers, he said. seemed pos
sessed with the idea that a mob of
Houston civilians was coming to the
camp to shoot them.
II pushed into the crowd" wit
ness testified, Saying there is no mob
coming"
"Yes. there is," shekerjian said a
negro replied.
Men, nobody can come into this
camp to harm you unless 1t Is over
me-" Shekerjian said he replied.
"We are tired of this. We will
take the law into our own hands, one