Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-05-14

in arriving at solution Of the vexed
question. This new phi: Sc Of the mat,
Ief was talked Of Mt some length in the
cabinet session, ard the reversal of the
former opinion of the Supreme Court
Of the State occasioned surprise. Mol
member of the cabinet has made de
finite aud positive expression OF opinion
on the subject. All the papers that
have been presented, in the case were
read to-day. There may be some de-
cision to morrow, but there is no, Ger,
tainity of it, as the attorneys Of. the
different parties are continually send
ing kilograms and presenting new
points and arguments that they are
anxious to have considered. a ,cabi
net officer said this afternoon that the
government was heartily tired Of, the
controversy. When its decision; is
made proclamation will be issu
ed, which all will understand must
settle the case
ST.. LOUIS, May "A special, dis
patch to the Democrat from Little
Rock gives long account of the Ca p
ture, escape, and return to Little Rock
Of Associate Justices Bennett and
Searle. After being taken from St.
Johns College they were moved under
escort Of Lieutenant ,Summerhill and
squad of men to a retired field on the
out, skirts Of the city, where orders
were received from General Blocher,
and the party then marched to point
fourteen; miles distant where dispatch
from Briga6ier General Crawford, or
dering the party. TO proceed to Benton,
was received. Two miles from that
place the party was met by General
Crawford with a squad Of men. Gen.
eral Crawford was drunk, and gave
Lieutenant Summerhill entire charge
of the prisoners, in whose custody they
remained at Benton until their escape.
Lieut.. Summerhill states that on Tues
day General Crawford received orders
from General Blocher that he should
protect the lives Of, Bennet and Searle
to the fullest extent, provided be could
do 80, and prevent their rescue, but at
all hazards he was not to- permit them
to be rescued, Lieut.. Summerhill also
states that he met man at the depot
in Benton who told him he saw written
orders at Bakers headquarters for the
prisoners summary disposal Or assassi
nation, and that he (SummerhilD re-
piled that such an act would not be
permitted by him while he was alive
and the prisoners remained in his Gus
tody.
Being convinced that violence was
intended to Bennett and Searle, and
determined not to be party to it, he
conferred with those gentlemen, told
them the facts, disavowed any compll
city in the matter, and proffered his
services to them to aid in their escape
and safe conduct to Little Rock. He
gave each revolver. provided horses,
and under pretext Of removing them to
a more Secure place dismissed the guard
induced. continted intoxication by Gen
eral Crawford. decoyed him to another
house, and with Sheriff Thompson, at
10 clock on Tuesday night, he depart
ed with his prisoners. Sheriff Thomp-
son had no knowledge Of Lieut.. Sum-
merhill's real purpose. Judges Bennett
and Searle were suspicious of Lieut..
Summerhill, but being armed and each
having a horse concluded to trust him,
relying upon themselves, however. and
future probable opportunities. Arriv
ing at a point where the roads diverged
Judge Bennett presented a revolver at
Summerhill's head and said, lyon are
now our prisoner and Judge Searle
drawing his pistol demanded Thomp-
sons arms. Bennett's revolver was
accidentally discharged, which frigttten-
ed Thompsoh's horse, and BE and rider
dashed away INFO the darkness. Jud i.
ges Bennett and Sear1e, with Summer
hill as prisoner, then continued and
shortly afterwards came upon squad
Of United States infantry, under Lieut..
Morrison, who had been sent. out to
effect their rescue if possible. Not
recognizingthe men Bennett jumped
from his horse ana broke for the woods,
and could not be found. After their
true character was ascsrtaied Searie and
Summerhill were taken to the United
States garrison and then to the State
House. In about an hour Bennett was
was brought in by another squad of
soldiers who had been sent ont to
search for him.
CROOKS TO THE PRESIDENT.
WAsH1NsroN, May. THE Presi-
dent has received a dispatch from Gov
ernor Brooks, at Little Rock, contain
ing information as to the recaptnre of
Associate Justice Searle, with details
relative to the meeting Of the Supreme
Court The telegram does not differ
in substance from the press report
published this morning. Brooks says
the decision of the cout on the con
troversy which has been commenced
will settle the question as to who is the
legal, Governor vi Arkansas, and gives
US peace, which every way it may be
decided. a decision wasexpected this
morning
Dhc1ss1oS OF THE COURT
LITTLE Rock, May. -Four Of the
five judges Of the Supreme Court met
inside Brooks line this morning. aud
delivered an opinion in relation of
Joseph Brooks VS.. Henry Page, State
treasurer, being an application for a
mandamus to compel the treasurer to
pay requis;tion for $1,000 made by
Brooks.
The Court, in delivering the opinion,
said, "The only question that we deem