Arizona republican., 1917-08-26
HOUSTON OFFICIALS ANGRY
 BECAUSE NEGRO TROOFr1, z1ssss7 ,.v,.
 TAKEN FROM JURISDICTION
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 HOUSTON, Tex, Aug. 25.-Though Houston generally breathed distinct relief tonight that martial law will end tomorrow and that the rioting negroes of the Twenty yfourth in- fantry are no longer in a position to cause further trouble county off, cials expressed resentment that forty of them indicted here for murder should have been taken from their authority.
 "The fact that they were removed to Columbus, N. M., does not mean that we will not ultimately take hand in their pnishment.' said Dis trict Attorney John H. Crocker. Tn my opinion the court martial which will be held by the military author ities, does not abrogate the right to trial by the civil authorities Those who escape punishment in the mili- tary court will De prosecuted in the courts of Harris county
 Evidence of the intention of the local officials not to let the matter drop with the departure of the col ored infantrymen for Columbus was contained this afternoon in the action of the Harris county grand jury. This body, as soon as it learned that thirty -four negroes held in jail had been turned over to the army before day break, began consideration of the blanket charges preferred by MT Crocker. In a few hours it returned murder indictments against the thirty four and six others who had not been arrested
 Thousands today paid special tribute to Captain J. w. Mates when his coffin, placed on a truck and wrapped with the colors. was taken to the station to be sent to Chicago. Captain Mates was shot down as he ap- preached the scene of disturbance in police officers automobile. Indications are that there will be no more deaths as result of the shooting and that the casualties will stand as they were yesterday counted, seventeen dead and twenty -one wounded. Two victims lost arms by amputation and third must have a leg taken off These are expected to recover.
 | Colonel George N. Cross. inspector general of the southern department arrived today and began to collect data on the shooting. He visited Brig adler General John A. Hulen of the Texas National Guard. District At torney Crooker, the chief of police, sheriff and other authorities. MT. Crooker turned over to him the state ments of captured negro soldiers that Sergeant Vida Henry. who was killed. was the ringleader and organizer or the raiding expedition.
 A tour Of the city and conferences with General Hulen and others quickly convinced General Bell that the addi- tional 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.
 Had Been Expected
 DEFINING, N M, Aug. 25.-Captain Homer L. Preston tonight denied pub lished reports that an impending clash between civilians of Deming and mem bers of the Second battalion of the Twenty fourth United States infantry (colored), stationed here, had caused the removal of the troops.
 No friction exists between the citi- zens of Deming and the members of the Twentyfourth infantry at the present time, nor has there been any trouble at any time in the past" Cap tain Preston said.
 Sheriff Simpson Sa1d hls department had had less trouble with the Twenty fourth infantry than with any body of troops ever stationed here. 1 The removal of the battalion, or dered to Columbus, N. M, today, had been expected for week, it was said at military headquarters, where it was stated the transfer probably was dut to the fact that large units of the Thirty fourth national guard division for training at Camp Cody are expect ed next week, making the presence oi the negro regulars here unnecessary