Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-04-25
The Conflict in Arkansas.
he Wheeling Register thus pithily states
,.,,,., ,c 49,, ,,rossnt Arkansas troubles:

The Wheeling Register thus pithily states
the cause Of the present Arkansas troubles
Brooks and Baxter, both carpet-baggng
Republicans we believe, were rival candidates
for the Governorship in 1872. Baxter was
declared elected aud was duly sworn IN and
since discharged the duties of Governor
Brooks contested the election and the case was
carried 70 the Supreme Court Of the State and
q decision rendered to the effect that the State
courts had no jurisdiction Of the matters al
legged as the ground Of contest. The case was
afterwards reopened and few days ago q
Judgment was rendered ousting Baxter, and a
writ was placed in the hands Of the Sheriff
directing him TO place Brooks in possession
In a few minutes the writ was served, Brooks
was inaugurated Governor and Baxter found
himself summarily elected from the State
House premises. Almost simultaneously tie
Brooks party sliced the Site Armory, and
guard was formed to protect the new Cover
nor in the discharge Of his functions. Baxter
withdrew TO a college building in the suburbs
of Little Rock aud established there his State
House, and a band of retainers was organized
for the maintenance Of his authority. He also
telegraphed TO President Grant asking the aid
Of Federal power, but without receiving any
definite or positive pledge Of assistance"
PLOTTING COMMENCED.
LITTLE Rock, April p, P. M.-Fightins
is now going on 10 the streets.
About five O'Clock the colored troops under
command Of Colonel King, white, paraded the
streets, preceded 10y a brass band. After
marching through several streets they were
halted in front Of the Metropolitan Hotel
The band played lively air, and the troops
rronted the hotel aud yelled for Governor Bax-
ter who appeared on the balcony aud made a
speech amidst the widest cheers.
At the close Of his speech the band played
the Red, White and Blue"
By this time Main street, above the bead OF
COL Whites column, at the intersection OF
Main and Markham streets, was filed with
men, principally Brooks's sympathizers who
were looking on The sidewalks were also
crowded, and the upper stories Of all the build
inss around either had armed men in them OF
citizens.
Colonel Rose was sitting on his horse in the
middle Of the street When the band ceased
three cheers were given for Colonel White, aud
he made a short speech Addressing the Go
vernon, he stated that the colored men had
come here to see that Baxter was reinstated in
the State House. and let il take one day or one
year they would stand by him. All they
PRAYED for were orders to take the State House.
At this time there was again the widest
cheering and the band commenced playing.--
Just then Col. Rose rode up to Col. White
and said something to him about making a
/ hostile demonstration, when some one in ono
/ Of the upper windows Of n building fired a
| shot into the Baxter crowd, which was rapidly
| followed bv others from the direction of the
/ crowd standing in the streets near the Metro
/ politan Hotel. This action caused the Baxter
en- TO return the fire. The colored troop;
rapidly retreating from the streets.
Firing was very lively for q few minutes
| the Baxter men running up the street. Amidst
I this Colonel Rose rode rapidly to the city hail.
called out bis company, barricaded the street
temporarily with hook and ladder truck, aud
/ bis men behind had to form across the street
In sold column to prevent an advance by the
Baxter men.
About two hundred shots were fired. The
streets was cleared Of men in short time
Several Baxter men were wounded Major d.
T. Thrall, who was at the Anthony House. re-
ceived a wound in the head from which he is
not expected TO recover. Gen. w. \. Craw-
ford received a painful wound in the head
though it is not fatal One or two others were
slightly hurt In the midst Of the excitement
the United States troops at the federal court
room and two pieces of artillery were removed
to the corner of Twenty-Sccond and Louisiana
streets, and prepared for action.
General Newton mounted his horse and got
an his men out on various streets ready to re-
pei any attack Since dark the men have
marched back to their quarters and the excite
ment is about over. During the excitement a
co,orel woman Jumped out Of a second story
window Of the Metropolitan Hotel and broke
her leg.