wilgbirds

My grandfather was stationed at Fort Sam Houston from March 1818 to May 1919 in the 14th Cavalry Regt, Troop F. I remember him telling me he had the sad duty of escorting condemned Negro prisoners as part of his time there. DOing research today I think this must have been for the third trial--so-called Tillman trial--of the Houston rioters. I found a letter in the University of Michigan Clements Library from Alfred Schaller, 14th Cavalry Regt., Troop F, written Sept. 30, 1918: "I did not see those Negroes as it was dark when they went by in the auto, and I could not see the scaffold as the bushes hid it, but I could hear everything." I am looking for a newspaper account of that third execution (Tillman trial) that I think took place on Sept., 16, 1918. Thank you, Will Greeley 217-413-0444