Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-13

containing two women and five
children, received ten shots, all
aimed about four feet above the
floor. and apparently with intent
70 kill. The chief Of police was
met. and his horse was killed and
his arm shattered. Later he lost the
arm. as a result.
Barely Missed
In a house where a woman and
two children slept. two bullets pass
ed through a mosquito bar that
covered their bed. For two blocks
and a half the outrageous assault
upon the defenseless town con-
tinued. The Miller Hotel, full Of
guests, was fired at from every
angle, and glass windows were
shattered and curious men. sticking
their heads out OF windows. were
targets for many random shots.
The negroes shot at whatever
they saw moving. and every light
burning attracted shots.
The raid lasted but two minutes,
and "a unique chapter in the his
tory OF the American Army had
been written. a chapter that would
be told, and retold. and debates
and deformed until its volumes
would fill a library"
From the garrison could be heard
shouts and the sound Of a bugle
calling for a general call to arms.
The town feared a second assault.
and citizens armed themselves and
formed a watch. A second raid up
on the town by the unruly mig
gers" would have ended in a bloody
conflict. and 1t Is entirely possible
that the entire garrison at Fort
Brown would have been killed. An
angry cowboy, or early Texan, was
a hard man and would not have
stopped at the killing of the raid
ers.
Morning arrived without further
trouble. but daylight showed shat
tered glass. bullet holes in weather.
boards and window castings. and on
the street empty shells. cartridges,
and clips Of government rifles. In
a puddle OF mud was a soldiers
cap.
A vigilance committee was rapid
ly formed. and reports Of the raid
were sent by telegraph TO govern
ment and state officials. Swift
punishment was expected, but new
er developed.
Came Unasked
Nothing was done until August
81. when Captain Bill Mcdonald,
with a small force Of two men,
reached Brownsville. He came un-
Ger his own free will, and had been
sent by authorities. He had re-
Quested the aid OF a few soldiers
who were at the time firing blank
cartridges In the hills around Aus
tin.
Give me sora OF the men that
are over there bombarding the
hills, and I'll 60 down and settle
that Brownsville business" he said,
but his request was ignored. He
was even informed that such a trip
to Brownsville would be treason,
for they said he had no authority
to investigate any action OF federal
troops.
Treason" he exploded. why, II
them hellionS has violated the laws
Of the state, shooting into peoples
homes and committing murder, like
the paper says, I don't care what
else they are, they're criminals. It's
my sworn duty to investigate such
business, and I'm going TO do It,
If ! have TO go alone"
And he came.
He had a reputation as q fighter.
and one man aptly said that he
would charge he'll with O bucket
OF water"
The town received the ranger
with open arms. Nothing at al
had been done TO ~apprehend the
criminals, and the soldiers ut the
fort had inundated their white
officers and we're continually un-
der arms, expecting attacks from
the town.
Brownsville citizens told him that
he could never enter Fort Brown
and come out alone, unless he show
ed an order from Major PenroSe,
the commander. Mcdonald reply
was characteristic Of the man.
We'll. I'm sorry. but I amt going
to get any order from Penrose...
The only pass I want I've got right
here. and I'm going into that fort
now" He patted his shotgun.
w. j. McCouley, his sergeant.
went with him.
'TIahy'
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