New-York tribune., 1874-05-08
ARKANSAS.
DETAILS OF THE CAPTURE AND ESCAPE
OF JUDGES BENNETT AND SEARLE.

DETAILS OF THE CAPTURE AND ESCAPE
OF JUDGES BENNETT AND SEARLE.
A DISPATCH FROM BROOKS TO TIE PRESIDENT RE-
GARDING THE MATrER-UNTED STATES TROOPS
SENT TO THE ASSISTANCE OF THE JUDGES.
WASHINGTON, May THE President has
received dispatch from Brooks at Little Rock contain
Ing information the recapture OF Associate Justice
searle, with the details relative to the meeting OF the
Supreme Court. The telegram does not differ In sub
from the press reports published this morning
Brooks says that the decision of the court the contro
versy which has been begun will settle the question as
to who the legal Governor OF Arkansas and make
peace. whichever way 1t may be decided decision
was expected this morning
telegram has been received by Adutant Ge neral
Townsend from Col. Rose, commanding the United
states forces at Little Rock in which i included letter
received By Col Rose from Judge Bennett recitng the
details Of the capture OF himself and Judge Seare at
Argenta which have already been published and asking
the protection OF the United States forces COL Rose
telegraphs that upon the receipt OF Judge Bennetts
note he sent two detachmeus toward Benton one un-
der the command OF Lieut. Morrison. and the other by
special train Lieut. Morrison rescued searle about
IL miles from Little Rock Judge Bennett escaped to the
woods, where he wandering at the date Of Col.
Roses telegram yesterday and detachment was then
looking after him.
A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTURE, IMPRISoN-
MENr, AND ESCAPE or THE JUDGEs-THE OFFICER
WHO HAS THEM IN CUSTODY AIDS IN THEIR
ESCAPE.
ST. LOUIS, May IA special dispatch to
The Democrat from Little Rock gives long
account of the capture, escape, and return to
Lttlo Rock OF Associate Justices Bennett and
seare. After being taken from st. Johns College,
they moved under the escort OF Lieut. Summerhil
and squad OF men, to retired field on the outskirts
OF the city. where orders were received from Gen.
Blocker and the party then marched to point IA miles
distant where dispatch from Brg.-Gen. Crawford,
ordering party to proceed to Benton, was received
Two miles from that place tho party was met by Gen.
Crawford, with q squad of men. Gen. Crawford was
drunk and gave Lieut. summerhl entire charge Of the
prisoners in whose custody they remained until their
escape.
Lieut. summerhll states that on Tuesday Gen. Craw-
ford received orders from Gen. Blocker that he should
protect the lives OF Bennett and Searle to the fullest
extent. provided he could do so and prevent rescue
at hazards he not to permit them to be res
cued. Lieut.. summcrh also states that he met man
at the depot In Benton who told him that he saw writ
ten orders at Baxters headquarters for tho prisoners
summary disposal or assassination, and that he (5um'
merhilD replied that such an act would not bs PEI
mitted by him while he was alive and the prisoners re-
manned in his custody Being convinced that violence
was intended to Bennett and searle, and determined
not to be party It, he conferred with those gentle
men, told them the facts, dsavowed any completely
IN the matter and proered his services TO them to aid
in their escape and safe conduct TO Little Rock lie
gave each revolver. provided horses and under the
pretext of removing them to moro secure place dis
missed the guard, Induced continued intoxcatlon by
Gen. Crawford, decoyed him to another house, and with
Sheriff Thompson 10 o'clock Tuesday night he do
parted with his prisoners. Sheriff thompson had no
knowledge of Lieut. Summerhis real purpose. Messrs.
Bennett aud Seare suspicious or Lieut.. Summer
hill, but being armed and each having horse, con-
cuded to him. relying upon themselves, however,
| and future probable opportunities
Arriving at n point where the roads dyerged, Judge
Bennett presented revolver at Slmmerhils head and
said, You are now prisoner" and Seare, drawing
his pistol demanded Thomnsons arms. Benefits re-
vover accidentally discharged which frightened
Thompson's horse, and he and his rider dashed away
into the darkness Bennett and Searle with Summer
hill as prisoner then con nued, aud shortly after came
upon squad of United States infantry, under Lieut..
Morrison had been sent out to effect their rescue IL
| possible. Not recognizing tho men, Bennett Jumped
from his horse aud broke for the woods and could not
be found After their character ascertained,
seare and Summerhil taken to the United States
garrison and afterward to the State House. In about
an hour Bennett was brought In by another squad OF
soldiers who had been sent out TO search for HIM.
MEMPHIS, May Is. Johnson, planter from Chicot
County, Ark, who arrived here ths morning, urinSs
accounts of the suffering among tho laborers
and their families in that secton many OF whom, he
sys have subssted several days upon carcasses or
| Cattle that had died OF starvation been drowned
in the overflow The citizens complain OF the action or
the New Orleans Relief Committee in not sending sup
niles outside the State of Louisiana, but this arises,
doubtless from the scarcity OF supplies and the great
amount OF desttution nearer New Orleans. The Relief
Committee have been actively engaged IN couccung
supplies to relieve the Immediate wants OF these people
Further trouble is apprehended from the rise III the 81
Francis River