The Portland daily press., 1874-04-16
COUP D'ETAT IN RKANSAS
''G0v.' Brooks Expells ''GOv."
Baxter, and Seizes the Exec
utiye Office.
The President Called Upon.
A Good Example for Lawlessness.

LITTLE Rock, April l5.-Joseph Brooks, who
claims to have been elected Governor in 1872,
tooK the oath OF office at about IL o'clock This
morning, before Chief Justice Mcclure, and
Wllnln nve minutes from that Time took forci-
BILE possession of the Governors office and
elected Gov. Baxter by force
ABOUT one year ago Brooks commenced a sn il
in the Circuit Court of Pulaski county for the
office OF Governor, and about the same time
the Attorney General commenced suit aoanst
Gov. Baxter by a quo warranto in the Supreme
Court, the litter court rendering decision that
the courts of the State had no power over a
contested election for the Office of Governor
and it was generally regarded that the matter
was settled so far as the courts were concerned.
The Legislature in 1873 opened the returns and
declared that Baxter was elected. Nothing
more was thought of the matter particularly,
till few days ago when the attorney of Gov.
Baxter desired that the case in the court be
taken up on a demurrer with the object of dis
posing of the same.
An understanding was then had that the de-
murer should be submitted and argued next
week On Monday, daring the absence of
Judges English and Compton, the attorneys
Tor Baxter, Mr. Whipple, attorney for Brooks,
arose and stated that it had been agreed be-
tween himself and the counsel for Baxter, that
the demurrer to the jurisdiction of the court
should be submitted. This, although in the alb
sence OF BaXters attorney, was thought nothing
OF at the time. Yesterday morning about ten
O'Clock, when there were but few present in the
court room and neither of the Governors coup-
sci were present, Judge Whytock announced
his decision of ruling the demurrer and none of
Bakers counsel being present to answer or
plead over, or move for an appeal, a Judgment
OF custer was issued. A writ was placed ip
the hands of the sheriff, and in five minutes
from that time an armed band headed by
Brooks was in the Governors office demanding
possession. The Governor declined, where
upon forcible possession was tax sn and guards
placed at all the entrances to the office. In
the meantime Gen. Catterson, who claimed to
act as Brooks Adjutant General, broke in the
door OF the armory in the same building and
took possession of about 100 stands of arms
Adjt Gen. Strong of Gov. Baxter's staff, re-
fusng to give up the keys, although surround
ed. Governor Baxter refused to be elected
except by force, when some of Brooks men
took bold of him and led him out Since that
time Brooks has had possession of the State
House.
Gov. Baxter has established his headuuar-
ters at st. John College and reported that the
State House will be taken possession of to-
night. Great excitement prevails throughout
the C ty.
The following dispatch was sent by the Gov
ernor to the President:
LITTLE Rock Ark April Is.
To the President OF the United States:
have been advised b. public rumor that in
the State circuit for this county in the long
pending case brought by Joseph Brooks for the
Office of Governor of this State, a demurrer to
complaint was overruled and au immediate
judgment of 'ouSter" against me given This
was done in abSenca of counsel for me and
without notice, and Immediately thereafter the
Circuit Judge Immediately adjourned the
Court The claimant has taken possession of
the State building and elected me by force
propose to take measures Immediately to as
sumo possession of the State property and to
maintain my authority as rightfu Governor of
the State. Armed men acting under this rev.
olutOnary movement are now in charge of the
government armory and Capital buildings l
deem it my duty 10 communicate this state of
affairs to the President. / trust the revolu-
tionary acts may be settled without bloodshed,
and respectfully ask the support of the general
government in my efforts to maintain the
rightful government of the State of Arkansas,
and that the commander of the United States
arsenal at thus post be directed to sustain me
in that direction.
respectfully request reply to this communi
cation at an early moment.
(Signed)
ELISHA BAXTER, Gov of Arkansas
Later.-Gov. Baxter has taken possession of
St Johns College, which he is making his
headquarters. and Brooks has taken possession
of the State House, which is heavily guarded.
1t is rumored that Baxter will declare martial
law and make onward movement the
State House tomorrow. The general senti-
ment of The people is favorable to Baxter.
The United States Court still in session
here Judge Dillcn to-day stated that he ex-
pected to leave here Saturday, so as to be pres
ent at the ops ming of the United States Court
at Jefferson City, Mo-, which meets on Mon
day.