Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-07
TELEGRAMS TO THE STAR.



sTEANSE STORY of THHIR CAPTURE, an a AIS
oNNRNr AND ESCAPE.
1T. IoVrs, Nav IA special dispatch 20 fha
DIVE az from Little Rsck gives = long ace 1ant
~ the capture, escape snd return @ Little
ROCK OF Associate Justices Bennett and Searle
After being taken from NJ. Johns college thew
were moved under escort OF Lieutenant sum
MERRILL sns squad OF men 20 q retired d sd ON
the outskirts OF the city. where order. were re
ceived nom General Blocker. and tue marty
then marched 10 a point fourteen mdes distant,
Were dispatch from Brig adler General Crau-
lord, ordering The party 10 proceed 10 Benton,
VAS received. Two miles from On AZ u ace the
party was met by General Crawford With a
squad OF men. General Crawford wAs drunk
and gave Lieutenant Summerhiil entire charge
OF the prftoners, IN whose custody thew re
msined nj Benton until their escape. Lieuten-
ant sunni >rhill states that on Tuesday General
Crawford received orders from General Blocker
that he should protect the lives OF Bennett and
SCARE 70 ne fullest extent, provided he could
do 80 and prevent rescue, but at all hazards
he was not TO permit them 60 be rescued Lieut.
Summsrhiu also states that he met q man
at the depot In Benton, who told HIM he sag
written orders at Bakers headquarters for the
prisoners summary disposal or assassination,
and that he (summerhil) replied that such An
act would not be permitted by him while he
was alive and the prisoners remained in his
cuttody. Being convinced that violence Was
intended 70 Bennett and Searle, and deter
mired not 70 be party 20 it, he conferred
with those gentlemen. told them the facts, dis
avowed any compheity In the matter and prof
fered his services 10 them 30 aid in their escape
and safe conduct 20 Little Rock He gave eacb
arevolver, provided horses and under pretext
OF re moving them to q more secure place dis.
missed the guard, induced continued intoxics-
ton OF General Crawford, drcoyed him 70 a n
other house, and with Sheriff Thomi son. az ten
O'Clock on Tuesday night, he departed with Ms
prisoners. Sheriff Thompson had no know.
ledge OF Lient Summerhill's real purpose
Messrs. Bennett < Searle were suspiciols of
Lieut. Summerhill, but being armed, and each
having horse concluded 10 trust him. relying
upon Themselves. however, and future
probable opportunities. Arriving at a point
where the road diverged Judge Bennett pre-
senttd his revolver ct summerhiil's head and
sssd, lyon are now our prisoner" and Searle,
drawing HE pistol, de msnded ThompsOns arms
Benefits revolver accidentally diseh Areed
which frightened Thompsons horse, aud he and
his rider dashed away into the darkness. BEN
lett AND Searie, with Summerhill as a prisoner
then continued on their course, aud shortly
after came uEon q squad of United states in
fantry. under Lieut.. Morrison, who had been
sent cut To effect their rescue IL possible. Not
recognizing the men, Bennett jumped from bis
forse and broke for the woods and could not be
found. After their true character was sscer-
tanned, Searie and S9mmerbill were taken %
TIE United States garrison, and afterwards 20
f1e state house. In shout an hour Bennett was
brought IN by another squad Of soldiers, who
had been sent out TO sesrch for him.