The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-03-28
THE cHocTAw TROUBLE.

PARIS. Tex. March 27.-A report came
into the town of Artlers yesterday that
tho militia WAS in camp mile and half
from town. Locke. with eight men. went
ont TO reconnoiteF, but the militia kept
ont Of sight. Hon. John C.. Gibbons.
United States commissioned, agreed to go
60 the militia with y message from Locke,
who wanted to know why tho militia were
in the vicinity. and IL they had warrants
for the arrest Of any man TO say 80, and he
would surrender himself or any man with
him to the regularly constituted civil
authorities. He WAS ready TO disarm aud
disband his men whec the militia did the
same. Gibbons found that the militia had
broken camp and trssiesi them to a point
three miles north OF Antlers where they
pitched tnsir tents on high hill on the
open prairie. A long conference Was held
but no agreement could be reached They
expressed a determination TO arrest Albert
jackson and OF hers, saying they had prop
er process for them.
Mr.. Gibbons asked for time to further
consult Locke. Locke wrote out the fol-
lowing ultimatum and Mr. Gibbons re-
turned to the camp o. the militia late yes
terday afternoon:
''All charges against any individual
must originate IN the county where the
offense was committed, aud after an ex
animation trial as the law directs: and II
the judge finds the charges sufficient, then
he can exact bonds, and no other power
(outside OF a grand jury writ or indict-
ment) has right TO issue wr,ts as to the
militia They Are unauthorized by law
unless the county authorities are power
less 70 execute the law; therefore II there
are any charges against our men let the
complaint be lodged in their respective
counties, and after due summons by the
proper authorities has been given they
will appear TO answer the complaint as the
law directs But in no case will they sur
rendered to the militis, AS that so-called
body has no power TO act unless called on
by tho county authorities.
[Signedl ". NJ. LocKK"
endorsements are expected by the
militia Three companies are going from
Tuskahoma, Talihina and Albion. Word
comes that leo men are going from Good
land TO the assistan nee of the militia. A
detachment Is coming from Fewson and
Blue counties. aud doubtless crossed the
kiomitia before dark. The outlook is
bad There seems to be no probability OF
peaceful settlement IL is believed that
it will have TO be fought out. and the cri-
sis will come tomorrow. The trouble is
political. u result OF the last gubernatorial
campaign, say Locke and his followers.
The Jones men say Locke and his men are
defying the laws Of the nation, and they
sited by Governor Jones removing Jack
son Billey. sheriff of Cedar county, from
office aud appointing Wesley. B!iley Is n
National or jackson man, and Wesley Is q
Jones or Progressive man.
DALLAS, Tex, March 27.-All overtures
looking to peace between the warning
Choctaw fac,ious have been In vain. When
Hon. john Z. Gibbous went to the militia
last night with Locke's u.tmatum. they
took the matter under advisemeut aud
asked for another conference with Mr.
Gibbons this morning. On returning TO
the camp this morning, Mr. Gibbons found
that they had been reinforced during the
night. He was Informed that two couriers
had been sent to Governor jones the night
before with Locke's proposition, and that
nothing would be done till Wednesday, by
which time they expect to hear from the
governor, and would act as directed. This
WAS not satisfactory TO Locke and his
people, and Lhey declared the arinistice at
an end. Matters looked as il the crisis had
come. There WAS strong sentiment In
favor of attacking the militia at once.
Locke decided not to attack, but To move
out ortown, in order that. in case OF a bat
tie, the lives of women, children and dis
interested parties will not be imperilled.
They would not say where they were
going, but il is believed that they have
crossed the kIamiate river, and have
caInped i'll The mountains.