National Republican., 1874-05-08
THE ARKANSAS TROUBLES.
THE CAPTURE, ADVENTURES AND
ESCAPE OF THE JUDO ES.

THE CAPTURE, ADVENTURES AND
ESCAPE OF THE JUDO Es.
JUDGES sEAELE AND BENNETT RELATE t
THEIR EXPERIENCE SUIT OF BKoohs1 3
AGAINST THE STATE TREASURER a
AANDAMUs ISsUED-STTUATIoN AT LIT
TIE ROCK - STATEMENTS FROM BOTH
SIDES -
LIrTLE Rock, May Judges searlc and
Benaett publish the following statement OF
their captase and the manner of their release:
After our capture on the train we were
taken Rom the railroad platform at ArgeLta |
across the river in skiff, and thence after |
waiting for orders from the Baxter authorities |
to otT captors, we were taken TO st. Johns
College. We wanted to know of what crime
we were guilty. Bennett commenced to write
at the college a letter 10 Governor Baxter.
Williams, on seeing rae thus occupied, said:
81 suppose you woald rather see Baxter
himself. If you bone with me you shall see
him."
He then took us in a contrary direction to
that In which he intfnated We should 90 to the
outskirts of the city, and kept as there tai day
light. We then went back to the college, and
were soon put on horses, and, guarded by four
horsemen Sndercommando Of Watkins, we were
taken out on the Bentonrcad fourteen miles to
the house of Mr. Roland. Here we breakfasted.
That night Watkins told Us that he had infor-
nation that the United States troops were
searching for us to procure our release, and he
took US on. We asked to be shown the orders
which he had They were as follows:
To Armed Guard on Benton Road:
W, = i
and those you have in charge back toward Ben
ton. WILLIAM A. CRAWFORD,
Brigadier General.
We started towards Benton, and soon met .
force commanded by Crawford, who took
charge of us and took us to Benton. We were
taken to a hotel and treated kindly. We found
the town guarded and picketed. The sheriff
OF the county said that the county was not
under martial law, and that he would, If we
wished, get posse of citizens and put US on
the train to Little Rock. We told him that we
preferred to be released by the authority which
arrested us, as we would endanger the lives
and property of citizens by attempting to as
sert our. authority. Crawford was not seen
any more by US. Summerhill now had charge of
us, and told us soon that he had orders from
Blocker by telegraph saying he was to protect
our personal safety and lives to the fullest ex-
tent, provided he could do so and avoid a re-
capture or rescue; at all hazards he was not to
let US be rescued alive. He told US that he had
information that the Federal troops and the
Brooks troops were on the way to Benton, and
he had orders to move us; but when he did it
would be with view to release US.
The sheriff accompanied us out of the town
a short way. Summerhill told the sheriff that
he was prepared to release US and assist us to
reach the Federal troops at Little Rock. We
demanded arms as evidence of good faith. The
demand was complied with, and we then started
for Little Rock. On arriving at Ten Mile
Creek, at two or three O'Clock in the morning,
we halted, hearing a mounted force coming to-
ward US. Summerhill halted the command.
Judge Bennett here took to the woods, not
knowing who the soldiers were. On arriving
near the town Bennett was taken to the
arsenal, dressed in q suit of blue, and then
came into Little Rock. Bennett Travelled
through the woods all night toward Little
Rock and stopped at a negro's cabin at day
light. The colored man guided him through
the woods to point within three miles of Lit
tie Rock, and he sent by him note to Colonel
Rose, asking him for an officer and guard to
F. J. SEARLE,
JoHNE. BENNETT.
JUDGE EENNETT's APPEAL TO COLONEL ROSE.
The following dispatches were received here
yesterday, and referred to the Attorney Gen
eral
LITTLE ROCK, ARK, May G, 1874. |
E. D. Toro"seHd, Adyjutaat General u S. Army,
Washington, D. c: |
c0antfyman Drought me fne fblf6WI6g note !
from Judge Bcnnct, which explains his situa-
tion at the time it was written, as follows, viz:
BENTON, SALINE Co., ARK, May 5, 1s74
COLoHot Rose, COmnla"diHg o.. s. Troops, Little |
Rock, Ark:
COLONEL: On last Sunday evening as Judge |
Searle and myself were quietly seated in the |
cars at ArgenLa, opposite Little Rock, we were !
forcibly elected and arrested by an armed body
of men, numbering, 1 suppose, about twenty
five. We asked by what authority we were
arrested, and were answered it was by order of
Governor Baxter. We then demanded to know
for what cTime, or supposed crime, We were
restrained of our liberty. They told US they
would not tell, but said we should be imme-
diateiy taken before Governor Baxter; but We
have not been so taken, but have been forced
to come to this place, where We now are, 12
O'Clock In.
On yesterday addressed letter to Cover
nor Baxter narrating the above facts, and de-
mandng that We should be informed of the
nature of the accusations against us, but as
yet he has not done SO, nor do believe he will
do so. The premises considered, allow me to
say, we are American citizens of the State of
Arkansas, have always been true to the Gov
erDment Of both; we were both soldiers in the
Federal srmy--Judge Searle major and lieu.
tenant colonel, and / have held all the ranks
from sergeant to colonel Of the Seventy-ifth
Illinois Iniantry-have been first lieutenant
in the regular army; We have always been
peaceful and quiet citizens; are at present bold
ing the honorable positions Of Associate Justices
of the Supreme Court OF the State of Arkan-
-"s; Lave never violated any laws of God or
man for wtl.cl' w.ch We are amenable to any tribu-
nal in the State of Arkansas or :le :i:e United
States that we are aware of, but notwithstand-
ing al this we are restrained of our liberty;
held by main force in a country not under mar
tial law; not where We can demand our rights
as citizens of this great Republic; not where
we can get the benefit of the writ of hdbeaS
corpus or any other nominal writ known to the
civil law; therefore we appeal to you for assist
ance for cur Liberation. Can We have itl Re-
spectfulIy, your obedient servant,
JOHN E. BENNETT,
Associate Justice Supreme Court.
Upon the receipt of the above note, 1 sent
two detachments toward Benton, one mounted
under Lieutenant Morrison, the other by special
train. Lieutenant Morrison rescued Judge
Searle about eleven miles from this place.
Judge Bennett escaped to the woods where he
is now wandering. Ihave detachment look
ing for him. THOMAS E. ROSE, |,
Captain 10Th Infantry.
THB TROUBLE IN THE COURTS.
The following despatch was received by the
President from Governor Brooks:
BARRING CROSS, ARK, Mays.
President U. s. Grant, Washington:
Associate Justice Searle has been captured
from the insurgents. Judge Bennett is in the
woods and expected in soon. The Supreme
Court met this morning at its regular adjourned
term. The suit Of Joseph Brooks against