The Van Buren press., 1874-04-21
Brooks Gusts Gov. Baxter and Inaugur
ates Himself Governor-He is Sworn
in by Chief Justice Mcclure.
Brooks In Possession of the State
House by Armed Force.
Armed Men all around the State House
the People Standing by Gov.
Baxter.
The Usurpor Likely to Precipi'
tate Bloodshod.
LATER.
Gov. Baxter Takes the Brindle
Bull by the Horns.
He Declares Martial Law in Pu-
laski County.
STILL LATER +!
An Address to the People of Arkan-
sas by the Citizens of Little
Rock,
Little Rock Gazette of the l6th.t

1t is known, perhaps, that about year
ago Mr.. Jos. Brooks commenced suit
in the Pulaski circuit court, setting out in
his complaint that he had been elected
| governor of Arkansas at the November
| election, 1872, and asking that judg |
ment Of custer be issued against Gov.
Baxter. He further sued for the emolu
ments OF the Office for the time that he
had been deprived Of the same About
the same time Attorney General Ionley
filed, in the Supreme Court, an applica
ton for quo warranto against Gov. BaX'
ter. 1t will be remembered the Supreme
| Court decided that the judicial Depart.
ment of the government had no power to
decide contested election case for the
Office of Governor, and dismissed the ap-
plcatiun for quo warraato, Chief Justice
Mcclure dissenting
That decision, in effect, disposed of
the case instituted by Brooks in the Cir
cut Court, and nothing more was
thought Of the matter The case has re.
mained on the Circuit Court docket to
the present time. Judges English and
Compton. the attorneys of Gov Baxter,
endeavorod several times 10 get the case
dismissed, but for some cause or other
they could never succeed. 1t must be
horne in mind that the Circuit Judge,
Whytock, is politically, an extreme par
lisan Of Brooks.
Last week, Saturday we believe, Judge
English again broachod the matter to
Brooks counsel, Of submitting the de.
murrer, and it was agreed-as we have it
from Judge English himself-that the
demurrer should not be submitted until
next week. On Monday, when both of
Gov Baxter's counsel were absent, Mr.,
Whipple, one Of Brooks counsel, stated
that it had been agreed between himself
and Judge English that the matter should
be submitted. This unauthorized action,
rs we are informed, on the part of Mr..
Whipple, was not thought Of even then
no one dreaming that Judge Whytock
would rule otherwise than as the Su-
premc Court had decdcd-tha, he had
no jurisdiction of the ease.
About IL O'clock yesterday morning,
however, while Judges English and
Compton were absent Judge Whytock
delivered decision in the case, over
ruling the demurrer submitted bv Whip
pie, without the knowledge or consent of
Gov. Bax,er's counscl-and ordering u
JUDGMENT OF CUSTER
to be issued No one of Gov. Baxter's
counsel being present, and nearly every.
body having left the Courtroom, this
Judgment was made, writ placed IN the
hands Of Oliver, the Sheriff, who was
ready and waiting, and within five min
utes from that time Joseph Brooks was
sworn in 10y Chief Justice Mcclure, and
accompanied by Gen, Catterson. Lee
Thompson Benton Turner, John Brook
er and six or seven Others went to the
State. House, walked into the Governors
Office and demanded possession of the
office Mr.. Brooks presented an oath of
office. which he had taken. stating that
he claimed to be Governor, and demand.
ed that Gov. Baxter retire Col llowcs,
of Forrest City. was with the Governor
at the time, and the only friend Of his
who witnessed the affair, Gov Baxter
: declining tu surrender tie office, Mr..
Brooks turned to Gen. Cattcrson, who he
stated was his Adjutant General, and di
rccted him to take charge, Brooks then
went into the Secretary of States room,
and demanded of Gen. Strong. Gov Bax
tcr's Adjutant General. to submit to his
authority. This Gen. Strong refused to
do, whereupon, Mr. Brooks said, very
well, he could do as he pleased, but he
proposed to take possession of affairs
lie demanded of Gen. Strong, also, the
keys to the armory (down stairs, in
which were about one hundred stand Of
arms) This demand was refused. Mr..
Brooks then directed Catterson to go
and take it, which he did, by bursting the
door open About this time the Gov
ernor's room was filed with armed men,
and guards we've stationed at all the Ell
frances.
This was the condition Of affairs when
the Gazette representative arrived at the
State House. All this had occupied not
I more than FIVE minutes. AS the repre-
| sentative neared the State. House he saw
. Oliver, his deputies, several orthe clerks
in the different State offices, few ne
proes and lot Of Brooks strikers car
ryng the arms IRON the armory TO the
: Governors room He passed rapidly to
/, the west wing and at the foot Of the
c stairs, which lead to the Governor
D room. he was met by jim Hodges, who
told him he couldn't get in.
Rcporter--Why cannot l get in'
f Hodges-I have orders from the Gov
ernor to admit no one at this time.
Rep From what Governor
Hodges Gov. Brooks.
: nrp-Oh oh,
About this time Gen. Strong came
along, returning from the armory. The
representative appealed to him. He
stated he could do nothinr, that he was
: in effect prisoner himself The repre-
sentative then went to the rear door and
started in. lie was here confronted 10y
u Hodges, who abou,-faced and caught
5 hold of him and told him he must gel
out. that he couldn't come in and he got
ont
Il During all this time Gov. Baxter was
|, In his room prisoner, refusing to go
out unless forced to d. So. Some one
Of Brooks strikers took hold Of him, ant
he walked ont leaving the mob In pos