The Van Buren press., 1899-06-10
E.GOV. ELISHA BAZIR
Arkansas Tenth Chief E.se,.
Passes Over to the Other y
Shore.
AH0TABLE FIGURE IN THE STATES Hsrnu
Elected As a Republican, He H.,
Oriice Through support of D.mo.
Members of the LegisIaturs->t..
His Career.

Ex-Gov. Elisha Baxter died Ma, o.
at his home in Batesville at the sn.
~ years. His death leaves nine er.,.
ernors of the state living, Henrsv
Rector, Powell Clayton, O. A. Hadl.s
Thos. j. Churchill, Jas. II. Berry Sim.
P. Hughes, Jas. P. Eagle, W. NJ FL,
back and James p. Clarke.
Gov. Baxter was distinguished fieurst,n
history OF this state. He was born In Rup..
ford county, N. c., September /, 1S27. In ~,
he removed to Arkansas and settled At R,..
Vile, where he has since resided with h...
ception OF few years spent in Little p...
He studied law and was admitted to the h,,r
the sos. and served in the Legislatures O, ~,
and 1853
When the question of war came un p.,..
attempted to occupy neutral ground bn, =.
posed secession. Shortly after hostIltle,eon
menced he left Batesville and went tn ".
souri,, where he was taken prisoner by tbee On,
federates. returned to Little Rock and tur.
over to the civil authorities, but escaped bero.
the time set for his trial on the cbarve a
treason. Baxter then went to Jacksonno,
recruited the Fourth Arkansas Mounted h,
fantry, by permission OF Gen. Steele and n.
ported for duty to Gen. Livingston at Ba,,,
vile, where he remained in command of N.
post until the organization of the Murphy s0,.
ernment. in the spring Of 1854. under which /,
was elected judge of the supreme court 1,
a short while he was elected United st,t,
senator, but was refused his seat in that boa,
vile. In 1868 he was appointed register
bankruptcy OF the First congressional dlstre
and in the same year was appointed by Go
Clayton Judge OF the Third Judicial circuit ,r
a term OF four years.
He was inaugurated governor in Janusr
1873 The legislature of that year was r.puk
liean Hon. Joe Brooks at once entered upon
contest for the ofIice before the leglsla.an
which decided against him. Mr. Brooks The,
endeavored to bring the case before the Ftt
eral court, but Judge Caldwell refused the ss
plieation. The contest was then taken to II.
supreme court, puI hhht tIipuhai utciatu hA
the right to try the title to the ofice eIsa
only In the legislature.
June i6 1873 Brooks filed suit In Pulaski
circuit court against Baxter. claiming the Oau
of governor its fees, etc.
In the meantime reversal OF the attitude a
public sentiment toward Gov. Baxter was tai.
ing place Most OF his republican supporter
forsook him, and efforts were made In the legs
lature to secure his Impeachment and remOn
from orice. but the movement failed.
April Is, 1874, the attorneys of Brooks caAa
up the case against Baxter In the circuit cCus
for hearing. Bakers attorneys were not
present, being In attendance in the United
States court, which was then IN session The
circuit Judge, John Whytock. proceeded v
hear the case on the demurrer OF Baxter, im
pronounced judgment overruling it. Then b.
stead OF making order that the defendsrI
should either answer further or else shout
elect to stand on his demurrer be proceedn
to enter final Judgment on the merits Of h'
case, declaring that Brooks was entitled TO A'
Office OF governor, and was entitled tot
and that Baxter be ousted from the once .
governor.
Mr. Brooks, provided with copy Of h
Judgment, Immediately proceeded 10 the saa
house In company with about twenty men, sh
demanded possession OF the ONCE. BaIhn
fused to surrender it, whereupon Mr.. Br@si
followers forcibly elected Baxter and @S
| possession OF the apartments.
Mr.. Brooks summoned as many Of bis fo'
| lowers as he could command, and selling d
| the arms which were in the state srmory !
| posted strong guard around the buildl
and gave evidence OF intending to hold iIg
force. Brooks issued a call as governor 10
troops and many responded.
Baxter established himself in ST. John
| College building. AS soon as the condition
affairs became known many citizens onere
| their services to Baxter for his support The
| were enrolled as state militia, and formed
| governors guard arming themselves Ou!
about sixty stand OF cadet muskets who
were in the armory OF that college. Gov BAL
ter appointed Col Robert c. Newton mao'
general OF the state militia. The next day, q
corted by his guard" Gov Baxter move
down town and established his hesdqusrHf
| at the Anthony House. within 800 yards
where Brooks was In the state house Id
short while Baxter had at his command all
military forces he needed. For the nett N
days every train and boat brought BARK
troops to Little Rock,
Gen. 7. ]. Churchill was placed In charge
| the troops. and movement was prolecHo'
occupy the Capital Hotel or Deckla block %
the Benjamin block, and thus closely ln'''
Brooks in the state house. but on telegraph
| instruction from the secretary OF Wal, ~
| Rose. the commandant OF the post at Law
Rock. interposed his force of Federal uOVp
between the adversaries with view 70 w
serve the peace. and prevented the consun
nation of this design. -.
After much correspondence, Baxter Ns N'
graphed President Grant to know II nc WV
protect the legislature in case they shou,a !.
called together to submit the question 70 wv w.
to declare and determine who was the fsAs' !.
governor President Grant replied ID !,
affirmative. and Gov Baxter at once issu's
call converting the Legislature in extra sesS'
The assembly met May II. 1874 ana as ~, ~
| as a quorum was obtained concurrent ~. \
luton was passed recognizing Baxter ~
lawful governor. o...
Accordingly, on May IS. 1874, Presioen' u'', ~,
issued his proclamation, deciding IN lsv',
Baxter and calling upon Brooks ioiio"'"
disperse within ten days. 80,
The forces OF both sides were disoanue.,t a.,
returned to their homes. On the lsIn ~, ,.,,
- .f..A hR on