The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-05-15
ARKANSAS.

Judges Bennett and Scales, of the
supreme court, were captured on the 4th by a
body of about ten armed men. When the
train from Memphis arrived at Argehta, they
were taken off the train and carried off, where,
no one seems to know. The Brooks men charge
that 1t was Baxter squad who made the ar
rest. On the other hand the Baxter men cav
1t was Brooks crowd. 1t was reported that
the supreme court was to hold a special ses-
sion and pass upon Judge WhytOck's judgment
IN the BrOOks-BaXter case and that the Brooks
men spirited the judges away to prevent them
from reathrming the quo warrauto decision.
The Brooks men charge that the Baxter men
captured the judges to prevent them from
affirming WhytOck's decision.
Reports from Jefferson state that a
squad of Gen. Whites men encountered a
body Of sixty of Brooks men above Arkansas
Post on the evening of the Sd, and dispersed
them. One report says five men were killed.
though it needs confirmation. The prepara-
ton on both sides looks very warlilze. and all
sorts Of reports are afiOat, one to the effect
that Brooks intends to assault Baxter, and
another that Baxter intends to assault Brooks.
The United States troops occupy their old po-
sition between both parties.
Hon. J. r. Berry, who claims to have
been elected auditor on the same ticket with
Brooks, and who was prevented from proseeu-
against the circuit court issued by the supreme
court, publishes letter favoring the submis-
sion OF the whole matter to the legislature.
Mr.. Brooks publicly announces he will not
abide by any decision of the legislature. The
Gazette and other conservative journals favor
a call by the legislature of a constitutional
convention, with a view of re-submitting the
whole matter to the people.
The sheriff of Pulaski county, Ark,
telegraphs to the secretary of war, stating
that he has asked the commander of the Uni
ted States troops at Little Rock for aid to
serve writs of habeas corpus for the Judges
arrested at Argenta. Brooks to egraphs Pres
I ident Grant, requesting him to ask the COM
manding officer at Little Rock to demand the
surrender of the arrested parties.
Chief Justice Mcclure had a writ
served on Generals Churchill and Bleecher, on
the 5th, commanding them to produce the
bodies of Messrs. Burnett and Searle, the
associate justices of the supreme court, whose
arrest was mentioned yesterday. These Off
GERS replied that martial law prevailed in Pu-
laski county at this time, and they knew of no
orders except those which came from their
/ superiors. The Baxter side has advices from
Washington that Senator Clayton applied to
the president for the use of federal troops in
! searching for the two judges, but the presi-
| dent declined to let them be used for that
purpose. Considerable activity prevails on
/ both sides. Sentinels are doubled around
! Baxter's headquarters and a general military
air pervades everything.
/ at cabinet session, on the 5th, there
/ was some conversation over the condition of
affairs in Arkansas, but the executive has not
! yet given decision. The attorney-general
stated that the attorneys for Brooks had not
/ completed their argument, and have asked for
day or to TO prepare it thoroughly.
! There has been little more activity
in both camps. At Sparta, in johnson county,
Gen. Lee Thompson and Col. BrizzoIari, of the
Brooks forces, took forcible possession Of the
steamer Robert Semple. The owner, Gen. A.
G.. Meyer, got a writ of replevin, and the
sheriff served it on the parties, capturing
BrizzOlari and portion of his men ThOmp-
/ son escaped. Baxter has received ons COM
pany of recruits from Hampstead county, and
expects more. The Brooks party have eX-
tended their fortiications around the Benia-
min block. As the time for the Legislature
draws near, men are coming in from all sec
tions OF the state, mostly as reinfOrcements
for Baxter, though Brooks has received a few
men. Brooks has organized a cavalry com
cts on Capitol hill, nearly a mile from the
state-hOuEe. Beyond this there is no change
/ in the position of the various forces. Guards
are doubled around the Baxter camp.
+ OF the situation at Washington a
special to the Courier-Journal says: "The
difficulties in Arkansas are beginning to at
tract very serious attention in government
circles. The president has notified the par
tisans Of Brooks that they must present then
/ case before Friday next, as he can wait nc
longer than that day. It Is reported in poliU-
cal and government circles that the president
will feel himself compelled to recognize Baxter
as the lawful COVE nor Of ArE ansas and &c
withdraw the military support by which alone
Brooks has 30 far been able TO maintain his
rebellion to the constituted authorities"
On the night of the Sth a party ot
twenty-five Baxterites, under the command Of
Lieut.. Welch, took passage on the steamer
Halle. Their object was to intercept and
capture the stand Of arms belonging to the
Industrial University, which were shipped by
hat-boat from Fort Smith on Wednesday
morning, in charge of six men. The Brooks
ties heard OF this expedition and started Col
( Jno. BroOker with his regiment OF 200 colorec
men on a special train over the Fort Smltl
railroad to intercept the boat at Palermo
twenty miles above Little Rock. Broeker'
party arrived there before the Halle got intC
position and as the boat came along fired on
her Most Of Lieut.. Welch's men were on the
hurricane roof at the time and got down below
. as soon as possible. As they did so Franz
Timms was killed and several others wounded
VIZ: Capt. Sam. Houston, through the body
Ed Houston. sprained ankle j. N. Years
through the breast Bascom Leigh In the lefi
leg. Lieut. Welch's men returned the fire
Ahling one and wounding another of Brooks
men, both colored, One OF the shots from
Brooks men passed through a steau nine oi
the halle, disabling her. and she fioafed oiowr
the r1yer to the opposite bank, and the sGuaf
there left tho boat The Brooks men tool