Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-05-09
Grant and his CABINET in a Muddle
ever the Imb-Oglio-A Def
mite COnclu1,0n Prob
able T0.Dsyo
Bloody Engagement near Palarm
-6 Killed and 8 Wounded,
OF Whom : will PrOba-
bly, Die-1hs Legis-
lature to Meet.
BLOODY ENGAGEMENT.

command of Lieutenant WEIGH, took
passage on the steamer Halle, which
was in charge Of Captain Sam Houston
and his brother, +. Houston. Their OBJ
ject was to intercept and capture one
hundred and sixty stand Of arms belong
ing to the Industrial university, which
were shipped on fatboat from Fort
Smith Wednesday morning in charge Of
six men, and started Colonel John
BrOoker with his regiment CT two hun
dred men, on a special train over the
Fort Smith railroad to intercept the
boat at PalarE, twenty miles above this
city. Brokers party arrived there be-
fore the Halle got into position, and as
the boat came along, fred on her. Most
OF Lieutenant Welch's r,en were on
the hurricane deck at the time, and got
down below as sOon as possible. As
they did 50 Frank TiInms, a promising
young man Of this city, was killed, and
several others we're wounded, as follows
Captain Sam Houston, through the
body, badly; Ed Houston, sprained an
kle; John Meyers, through the breast;
Bascomb Lee, in the let leg. Lieuten-
ant Welch's men returned the fire, kill
ing one and wOUnding another of
Brokers men, both colored. One
Of the shots from BrOoks's men passed
through a stesm-pipe on the Halle, dis
abling her, when she foated down the
river to the opposite bank, where
BroOks's force was, and the squad there
left the boat. BTOOks's p1en then took
possession of the boat and put q squad
on her to bring her to town, and the re-
mainder Of them took the train and
came back, arriving about three o'clock
this evening. After their arrival, the
Halle came down and was landed at
the statehOuse, where the wounded were
taken of. Captain Sam Houston died
soon after the arrival Of the Hallie Jno.
Meyers, a pilot, is mOrtally wounded.
The body of young Frank Timms,
who was killed on the steamer Halle
this morning, is now lying in state at
the chapel OF the Presbyterian church.
The body of CaDtain Houston has been
taken to his residence.
After the boat was fired upon and dis
abled, Captain Welch held up a white
flag, which was riddled with bullets, and
several holes were shot through his
clothing. DR.. Dale, who was with him,
received s. slight wound in the leg.
Bascomb Leigh, who was wounded in
the leg, is badly hurt. John Myers,
the pilot, was shot through the breast
and twice through the leg; he is thought
to be mortally wounded.
The Brooks party sent a squad of cav
airy up the south side of the river this
evening to sttempt the capture of Cap
tain Welch's party who escaped from the
boat. The other side sent out a squad of
cavalry to hunt Captain Welch's party
and conduct them to the city. The Fort
Smith trains have been stopped by the
BrooEsites, TO prevent any more Baxter
men and members of the legislature
from reaching the city from that direc
ton. 1t is also reported tonight that
trains on the Cairo and Fulton railroad
are to be stopped for the same purpose.
The mails were prevented from going
south by the BrCOksites last night. There
has been unusual activity in both camps
to-day, and several arrests were made
on both sides, notwithstanding the car
tel.
THE LEGISLATURE,
A large number Of the members of the
legislature are here already, and unless
prevented by the Brooks party by force,
there seems little doubt but that there
will be quorum of both houses on Mon
day. There is talk of them meeting at
some other point in the State outside of
the statehOuSe.
The latest reports tonight state that
four negroes were killed on the Brooks
side during the attack to-day, and a
number were wounded. Erigadier- Gen.
eral Thompson and Colonel Fowler, of
the Brooks forces, were cartured by the
Baxterites at Clarksville, yesterday.
A BROOKS VERSION OF THE SITUATION.
ST. LOUIS, May The Globes Lit.
tie Rock special Of hast night says both
sides will be reinforced heavily to-mor-
row, Saturday and Sunday, and col
lision between the two parties may be
expected.
LieuteDsnt-C Colonel Fowler, with one
hundred and sixty stands OF arms taken
from the Industrial university at Fay
etteville on the first instant, and about
two hundred men, were expected to ar
rive for Brooks tonight.
1t is quite likely Baxter will convene
the legislature next Monday, though
well-informed persons say not a quarter
of the members will be under Baxter's
call.
1t is also not improbable that incident
10 the confusion. next week, or soon tel
egraphic communication may be inter-
rupted, or BaXter's censorship re-estab-
lished, unless the President recognizes
Brooks. Under to-day's decision Of the
supreme court, prominent Baxter men
admit that Baxter has nc farther right
to press his claim.
LArEs.
ST. LOUIS, May S.-The Democrats s
Little Rock special cCrrects a statement
made in the press report last night, that
it requires the presence of all the su-
preme court judges to transact business,
by quoting the following legislative act,
approved December 5, 1898: "Three
Judges OF the supreme court shall consti-
tute quorum, and be authorized to hold
any term Of said court; provided, that
no decision shall be made or pronounced
by said court without the concurrence of
at least three of the Judges thereof"
The decision given yesterday was signed
by four judges, the other one, Judge
Gregg, being absent on account of sick
ness.
Rumors were rife on the street last
night that an attempt would be made to
capture the penitentiary, and make it q
fortified stronghold and the headquart-
ers of Baxter's forces. A small detach-
ment of United States troops were sent
there to prevent it. A squad of Baxter's
men advanced to within two blocks, but
learning the situation Of affairs, retired.
Earthworks are being thrown up In the
statehouse yard, and the approaches are
covered by two pieces of artillery loaded
with buckshot. A strong stoekade has
been erected in the rear Of the BeDja-
min block, which building, together with
all the ststehouse buildings opposite, are
crowded with militia, and both inclo-
sures, embracing nearly four acres, are
full of men fully armed and prepared to
Withstand not onlya determined onset,
but protracted siege.
THE CABINET NUDDLR.
WAsHINeToN, May s.-The cabinet
was in session for nearly two hours to-
day, during which the Arkansas ques-
ton was under consideration. 1t was
expected that the general government
would have made some decision in re-
Spouse to the many applications there
for from representatives Of the contend