Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-13
Tourists and Visitors Told
Of Turbulent Days Long Ago

soldiers, with guns leveled. They
commanded him to halt.
You niggers hold up there"
Captain Bill snapped. I'm Captain
Mcdonald. OF the state Rangers,
and I'm here to investigate q foul
murder you scoundrels have CON-
mitted. I'll show you men some
thing you've never been used to.
Put up them gunsl" The last SEN
tence inspired awe and obedience.
The ringers" obeyed.
Now, where's Major Penrose?"
Yes, sub, Cap'n-yes, sub. Ma
jor Penrose is right over in his
house-second building. sub"
"One of you niggers come and
show him to me-"
One Of the men hastily complied
with the order.
Upon being questioned. Penrose
replied that he knew absolutely
nothing. He said that he could
find out nothing from his men.
Captain Bill looked at him in 81
lent scorn.
1--we been in charge of men for
Is years. and I've never had any
that / couldn't find out anything
I wanted to know from them. II
they knew 1t. We're in a camp OF
less than two hundred men. fifteen
or twenty break out and shoot up
the town, and then come back TO
their quarters. And yet you can't
detect any Of the criminals"
Questioned Men
He called for certain men who
we're on duty the fatal night. and
although they at first assumed sur
ly and antagonistic attitudes. Cap
tain Bill soon took the air out O!
their sails. Within a few hours, re
had enough information to arrest
thirteen men.
During the entire investigation
Mcdonald and his rangers were
hindered by the white officers, who
were attempting to shield their
men. 1t was said that they were
afraid Of the negroes.
A second visit to the fort met
with armed resistance. but the tall
ranger assumed a bold front and
forced the soldiers to put up their
guns.
Here but a short time, Melon
aid had his men arrested, but COM
mands from Austin and Washing
ton forced him to release them
Penrose reported that after a care
full investigation I am unable tc
find anyone, or party. in any way
connected with the crime of which
you speak" They had determined
to make a complete denial.
The final result was that the
three companies, with the white
officers, were discharged from the
army without honor"
Local buildings still standing that
figured in the raid were the old
Miller Hotel, since rebuilt. the
Starck residence. the building or
Elizabeth street and next to the
wall surrounding Fort Brown, the
majority Of the brick buildings IN
the fort, the Cowan home on l4th
street. the Yturia residence. the
Frank Lopez building. and many
other structures on Elizabeth. Levee,
Washington and cross streets.
Remember Incident
Old timers remember the incident
well. and when one talks about the
reign Of terror. it seems almost un-
believable that all this happened
but a few years ago.
Judge Jim" Wells, father Of J.
X. Wells. attorney, took an active
part In the trouble. Judge Kleiber,
also. participated In the story
appearing In the old Pearson S
Magazine. many names known TO
Brownsville citizens were used.
Mayor Combs, Congressman Gar
ner. who was here at the time.
Judge WEIGH, and others. Mr.. and
Mrs. w. H. Clay had moved here
from the north. and the raid is
vivid in their memories.
Brownsville has had an interest
ing past. Bandit raids. fights be-
tween Carranza and Pancho Villa,
civil war conflicts. the old trading
days when Brownsville was q port
n could name such events for
hours.