Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-08-30
oath INFANTRY
LEAVE HOUSTON
Thirty.FOur Negro Soldiers in
Riot Thursday Night Charged
with Murder.
II PERSONS SLAIN.
Affair a Climax to Troubles between
City Police and Negro Military Po-
lice Guarding Camp Logan.

Houston. Texas. Aug. A.-Blanket
charges of murder were filed tonight by
District Attorney John Crocker, against "a
negro soldiers of the oath Infantry, held
in the county Jail as a result of the riot
ing last night, which ended with the death
of II persons. four of them city police
officers.
This was the first move indicative of an
attempt by the State to retain custody of
the soldiers rather than turn them over
to the army for punishment.
Houston, Texas, Aug. A.-Fear of
further clashes between white men and
negroes abated tonight when it was
learned that orders had been received for
the immediate removal from Houston of
the negro soldiers of the oath Infantry,
who last night precipitated a riot, which
resulted in the death of II persons. the
wounding Of more than score and the
terrorization of the community. OF the
125 negro soldiers involved in the riot all
, but eight have been accounted for, while
scores of military and civilian patrols to-
night are searching for the district for
the fugitives
Major-General George Bell, Jr.. will ar
rive tomorrow to take charge of the sit
appointed commander by Governor James
e. Ferguson when the State executive
declared the city and county under mar
tial law. Hulen's appointment later was
confirmed by Major-General Parker in
command of the southern department.
The riot was a climax to minor troubles
between the city police and the
negro military police who were
guarding Camp Logan, the mobilza-
Co.,
The rioting started about nine o'clock.
Stealing company ammunition. about 125
OF the negroes seized their rifles and left
the camp. starting toward the city, shoot
ing Unfortunately. Warming immedi-
ately was given and mounted police Off
GERS sought to halt the mob surrendering
their lives in vain efforts to drive the SOL
dters back. Illinois guardsmen encamped
at Camp Logan soon arrived on the scene
but only in time to throw a Gordon between
the negroes and crowds of Houston citi-
Gems who had armed themselves and quiet
ly gathered to oppose the raiders. The me-
groes then took to the open country in
flight. some returning to camp, where
they were placed under guard. Others hid
in buildings and bitches in nearby roads,
Two squads of armed citizens, sworn in
as deputy sheriffs, each squad with a
captain in command. aided the military
forces during the day in the search of the
San Felipe district for negro stragglers
AS fast as negro soldier was found he
Immediately was placed in custody Of
guard at Camp Logan.
While the armed forces devoted the
daylight hours to this work, command
Ing oftcers under General Hulen arranged
Tor protection of the camp through the
night. The additional force Of approxi-
mately 600 men from Fort Sam Houston.
detailed from the 10Th infantry, arrived
during the afternoon and was disposed
to best advantage
Earlier in the day detachment of coast
artillery from Fort Crockett, Galveston.
arrived and relieved the Illinois National
Guardsmen who had been on patrol duty
throughout the night without rest and
these with the fresh troops from San
Antonio assumed full control
Sentries placed on street corners in the
business district in the morning were
gradually withdrawn until only a. few
streets where radical trouble might de.
velop were under guard. Much of this
sentry duty during the early hours of the
DAY mad been left to the Texas Nationa
Guardsmen, who. lacking arms, were sun
piled with shotguns and rifles from the
stock OF hardware stores. Saloons were
closed and all clubs obliged to observe
military orders against the sale of LIQUOR
At Camp Logan. building actiyitie,
were at standstill, workmen heinz
refused admission through the guaro
lines established around the Camp. l,
the resident district Immediately ad
jacent to the camp site many home
were deserted during the afternoon
Indignation over the outbreak wa
particularly expressed because of tn
savageness displayed by the negroe
toward the white police officers, VIII,
were slain and whose bodies in nearl
every instance had been hacked witt
bayonets. Among the Illinois guards
men also much feeling was eviden
because of the mutilation of Capital
Joseph Mates one Of the first to b
slain by the rioters.
Because of this feeling. Genera
Hulen at noon ordered the publ
morgues In which the bodies wer
held. to close their doors to all excep
immediate relatives Of the victims.