The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-04-20
RULE OF THE GUN.
The City Government Of El Paso
forcibly Taken Possession of by
Republican Mayor.
A Gentleman Who Thinks He Is the
Law and canvassing Board
Combined.
Winchesters Provided for the Faithful.
Who Only Surrender TO the Mar
shal-Ths People Indignant.

ELPAso. April l9-The contested city
election took new turn yesterday. For
several days past the old mayor, repubn.
can, and the old council, composed Of five
democrats and three republicans, has been
sitting as a canyasslng board hearing argu-
ments from the lawyers OF the democratic
and republican contestants. In the after
noon an adjourned meeting OF the old board
was held at the city hall. The mayor pre-
sided and put a motion, made by q demo-
| cratic member. Another motion was made
by democratic member when the mayor
sprang 10 his feet and declined 10 recognize
him. He pulled the election returns from
bis pocket and announced that he proposed
10 have the vote counted. A democratic
councilman moved TO adjourn. The mayor
ruled him out OF order. Seeing the mayor
was determined not 10 put the motion or
recognize democratic alderman, the Ave
democratic members left the hall, thus
leaving the council without quorum. In
the face OF no quorum the mayor
Instructed the city clerk 10 take
down the returns, AS he read them.
There being no quorum the clerk
declined TO act The mayor then desig-
mated n clerk and had the vote counted
without quorum. and declared the NUM-
cipal ticket elected. The republican con-
testants were sworn In and the usurping
mayor began 10 swear In special police,
after appointing the old city marshal and
the police force TO act. He then tried TO
get into the city safe. While working at
the combination the marshal sent police
man 10 guard the safe. The policeman
pushed the usurping mayor back and took
charge OF the safe. At this moment the
policeman was covered with q double
barrelled shotgun In the hands OF one OF
the usurping party. Five cases of Win
chester rifles were procured and put In the
hands OF the special police sworn In by the
usnrping mayor and the other republicans
who had assembled. The city hall was
then In charge OF an armed posse OF
republicans, who refused admittance
TO two Irregular city policemen and the
Associated Press reporter. The
democrats made no demonstration
but had their lawyers swear out an injunc.
tion, which was granted by the district
Judge, preventing the usurping mayor
from acting and putting the city hall In the
hands OF the court. The sheriff served the
Injunction and took possession OF the city
hall. The armed posse az the city hall dis.
persed quietly after the sheTiffs visit, and
at 10 O'Clock the old city council met with
quorum and adjourned. The old mayor
having refused 10 recognize the old council,
councilman ttnuotn anu aR-
pointed large force OF special police 10
act with the city marshal. The man whom
the usurpIng mayor appointed captain OF
special police Is not risident OF Texas.
Great Indignation Is expressed at the armed
mob In the city hall and the attempt OF the
old mayor TO act without a quorum Of the
council.
Excitement still runs high and an indIs-
Greet word or move may lead TO regular
slaughter. krakaueT, the republican
usurper who took charge Of the city hall
yesterday evening, and who was ordered
TO surrender all the city property and dis
perse his mob, was arrested this morning
| Tor contempt of court In refusing 10 dis
close the combination OF the city safe In
which the city records and seal are slowed,
and the combination Of which he changed
while In possession of the hall last night
At II o'clock TO night his trial Is In pro
gress and the court room is crowded with
hundreds OF excited men. II he Is sent TO
jail row Is anticipated. IL is positively
learned this evening that Krakauer has
been rendered the services OF 800 Mexi-
| cans.