The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-19
Baxter Surrounds the Brooks Head
quarters in Little Rock.
BLOODsHED IMMINENT.
Arrival Of a Large Force of
armed Militia.
ATTITUDE OF TEE GOVERNMENT.
The Federal Troops Ordered to
Prevent Bloodshed.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark, April is. ls74.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark, April Is, 1874
Brooks has been victuaIlIng the state House all
the afternoon. as though preparing for siege OF
some duration. The two companies OF United
States troops are bivouacked in front OF II United
States Mars aas ONCE, the commanding ofrcer
having received orders not to permit any hostile
movement on the part OF either force
Three hundred from Pine Blum, 15OO from
Washington. 100 Il ON Batesvilie and 50 from Saline
county reinforced the Governors troops this
morning. The 800 men from Pine Bluff are nearly
all col0red men. They came in with coors dying
and band playing. The Governor is now holding
consultation with his generals His intention ia to
surround the State House ana cut Off its supplies
The State House party have been pressing coored
people into the service. The Governor says he
will prevent bloodshed il possible, but .By the
Eternal, the insurgents must and Will be put
downl' One thousand more men are expected
on trains this evening. Brooks has sent out nu-
merous recruiting officers, but they are not to be
permitted to return. Brooks now has possession
OF the street In front OF the state House, and his
sentinels can be seen pacing their posts from a
point near the City Hall.
General Ira Mel. Barton old West Point
graduate and federal officer during the late war;
has command OF the colored troops from Pine
Bun. The State House party captured Captain
sam. Houston this morning ne was passing near
their lines He Knocked down the lieutenant OF
the guard but was dragged within the lines by
force. He was afterwards released.
Governor Baxter this morning applied in writing
to N. w. Cox, Clerk of The Supreme Court, whose
office is in the State House, to supply him with
transcript Of the records OF the Court in the case
OF Brooks vs.. Mcclure, wherein the Court decides
In favor OF Baxter.
The clerk replied that Chief Justice Mcclure the
only dissenting Judge on that occasion who had
sworn Brooks in had the original ana a transcript
could not be furnished the Governor.
Last night Mayor Kramer telegraphed the Presi-
dent to direct the United States troops at this
point to assist HIM in preserving the peace and
clearing the streets OF armed men. This despatch
was answered by Attorney General Williams to-
day stating that the general government would
not interfere.
The United states flag floats from the balcony
Of the Anthony House, and a brass band enlivened
matters this evening BY discourslng music at that
point
Mr. Brooks has made formal complaints before
Colonel Rose. the Post Commander that parties
have been deprived OF their liberty by Baxter's
forces and has asked that United states troops
interfere to protect them.
Colonel Rose has declined to interfere as he has
in other cases where Brooks troops have arrested
citizens Baxter refuses TO make any complaints
but all citizens, and asks assistance. Baxter
still hods the telegraph office, but BROOKS has
tapped the wires in front OF the state House and
has an operator III that building
ANOTHER PROCLAMATION FROM BROOKS.
This evening Brooks issued the following procla-
mation:-
TO THE PEOPLE OF ARKANsAs:-
Elisha Baxter, pretending to be the Governor of
the state OF Arkansas, on the 10th inst. issued
proclamation placing the county OF Pulaski under
martial law and mas called. so am informed, upon
the militia to aid him III resisting and setting the
law at defiance. | am charged by the con-
sltution and cnjOined by my oath OF Office to see
that the laws are promptly and faithfully exc
one who has been adudged ny court OF COM
petent jurisdiction not to be the Governor OF
United States has notified MIN tnat he cannot rec
OgnZe him Governor until he snail have APP
pealed TO the supreme Court, and there have his
rights adjudcated cannot be longer tolerated.
desire 10 avoid oloodshed and destruction OF
private property but while this is SO | cannot sit
idly by and the private property OF the citizens
OF the State taken without compensation by an
armed mob. and peaceful citizens halted and NAL
treated within sight OF the Capitol In the interest
OF peace and good order request and command
all persons who may nave been deluued into rally
ing to the standard OF pretender To lay down
twenty. -four hours If this iniuncuon be d,sre.
garded shall be compelled TO take snch measures
as will in my opinion. result IN suppressing dis
order and In restoring the peace and quiet Of .he
state. do not want to be placed under the neces-
sity OF prociaiming martial law, believing
as | do, that life and property be
better protected under the civil law. But II nv
request be dlsrcgarded those dlsobeying must not
complain oil what Is III store Tor them or OF the
punishment that may be melted out.
In testimony whereof | have hereunto set my
hand and caused tue rreat seal OF the state to DE
afxed, at the city OF Little Rock TINS 18th day OF
April Ammo Domino 1874.
JOSEPH BROOKS Governor Of Arkansas.
BY the GOVERNOR
EDwARD CURRY, secretary OF State ad interim.