The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-04-17
LITTLE ROCK.
Gov. Baxter Elected From OF
flee by an Armed Force.
He TelegraphB the President
for Assistance.

l0E Ahh1bLhuV0s .s
LITTLE Rock, Ark, April 15.-Joscph
Brooks, who claims to have been elected
Governor in 1879, took the oath of Office
about II o'clock to-day teiore Chief JUS
tice Mcclure, and within five minutes OIL
that time took forcible possession Of The
Governors office, and elected Governor
Baxter by force.
About one year ago Brooks commenced
O suit In the Circuit Court Of Pulaski
County for the Office Of Governor. About
the same time, the Attorney General com.
menced Q suit against Gov. Baxter by
quo warranto, in the Supreme Court
That court rendered declsion that the
courts Of the State had no power over q
contested election Tor the office Of Gov
ernor, and 1t was generally regarded
that the matter was settled, so far az
the courts were concerned. Tho Legis.
lature, in 1873, opened the returns
and sdeclared that Baxter was elected.
Nothing more was thought ot the matter
particularly until few days ago, when
the attorneys Of Gov. Baxter desired that
the case In the Circuit Court be taken up
on q demurrer, with view Of disposing Of
the same. An understanding was then
had that the demurrer should be argued
next week. On Monday, during the ab-
sence OF judges English and Compton,
the attorneys Of Gov. Baxter, Mr.. Whip
pie, the attorney Of Brooks, arose and
stated that 1t had been agreed between
himself and the counsel Of Gov. Baxter
that o demurrer to the jurisdiction Of the
court should be submitted. This, al
though in the absence Of Gov. Baxter's at.
torneyS was thought nothing Of at the
time. Yesterday morAing about II
o'clock, when there were but few in the
court room and neither Of the Governors
counsel present, Judge Whytook an
nounced his decision, overruling the de-
murrer, and none Of BGxter's counsel be.
ing present TO answer, plead over, or move
for an appeal, q judgment Of custer was
Issued, q writ placed in the hands Of
the Sheriff, and in five minutes from
that time an armed band, headed by
Joseph Brooks, were in the Governors
Office demanding possession. The Gov
ernor declined, whereupon lorcible pos
session was taken, and guards placed at
all the entrances to the office. L
In the meantime Gen. CStterson, who
claimed to act as Brooks Adjutant Gen
eral, broke in the door of the armory In
the same building and took possession Of
about one hundred stand OF arms, Adju.
tant General Strong refusing to give up
the keys, although surrounded by armed
men. Governor Baxter refused TO be
elected except by force. Some Of Mr..
Brooke men look hold Of him and led him
out. Since that time Brooks has had pos.
session Of the State House.
Gov. Baxter has established his head.
quarters at 81. Johns College, and 1t is re.
ported that the State House will be taken
possession Of tonight.
The greatest excitement prevails
throughout the city. The following dis
patch was sent by the Governor 10 the
President:
/ ..il1rii LITTLE Rock, April15.
10 the President Of Ute United States:
l have been advised by public rumor that
in the State Circuit Court for this county,
In q long pending case brought by Joseph
Brooks, for the Office of Governor Of this
State, q demurrer TO the complaint was
oVerruled, and an immediate judgment OF
custer against me given. This was done
In the absence OF the counsel for me and
without notice, and Immediately there.
after the Circuit Judge adjourned his
Court. The complainant has taken pos
session Of the State buildings and elected
me by force. l propose TO take measures
Immediately to resume possession of the
State property and TO maintain my au.
thority as the rightIul Governor OF the
State. Armed men acting under this
revolutionary movement are now in
charge of the Government Armory and
capitol buildings. deem It my duty to
communicate this state of affairs TO the
President ] trust the revolutionary acts
may be settled without bloodshed, and re.
spectiully ask the support oi the general
government In my efforts to MAINTAIN the
rightful government OF the State of Ar
kansas, and the commander of the United
States Arsenal at this post be directed to
sustain me in that direction. ! respectful
ly request reply to this communication
at an early moment.
[Signed1 ELISHA BAXTER,
G0reTnor Of Arkansas.
THE INTENTIONS OF THE CONTESTANTS.
LITTLE Rock, April 15.-Gov. Baxter
has taken possession OF st. Johns College,
which place he is making his headquar-
ters. Brooks has possession Of the State
House, which Is heavily guarded.
1t Is rumored that Gov. Baxter will de.
clare martial law, and make an onward
movement on the State House tonight OF
tomorrow. The general sentiment is
favorable TO Baxter. @ "y'
The United States Circuit Court Is still
In session here. Judge Dillon to-day an.
nounced that he expects TO leaYe hero on
Saturday night, so. ss 10 be at the opening
OF the United States Court OF Jefferson
City, Mo-, which meets on next Monday.
LITTLE Rock, April 1O.-There is but
little change in the Gubernatorial mud
die. Brooks holds the State House, which
Is surrounded by armed men, about 1OC
in all. They have two cannon. Baxter't
headquarters are still at st. Jonn's Col
lege in the suburbs Of the city. BE ispre
pairing to retake the State House. About
1900 stand OF arms belonging to the State
are at the arsenal, Both Baxter and
Brooks have made q demand for them
but the demand 10 refused. Men are pour
Ing in on every train. The city is rather
quiet. -rs ---7 p, sr
WAsHIEoToN, April 16.-Reports from
Little Rock, Arkansas, excite consider
able interest here to-day. The Republi'
can members Of Arkansas called the Pres.
ident and Attorney General to confe,
with them regarding the troubles. Both
the President aud Attorney General Will