Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-03-12

FRANKFORT, KY, March 1.-THE
Democrats and the Republicans in
Kentucky are to-day, for the first time
since the present political complica-
lions assumed acute form, divided into
armed and organized factions. Sur
rounding the Capitol and the State ex-
ecutive building and camped in the
grounds around Governor Taylor's
home, are nearly two hundred State
militia, well provided with ammuni-
ton, while in the corridors of the Cap
itol Hotel, in which the Democratic
State executive offices are located, and
in the streets adjacent to that build
ing are sixty special officers and the
men and boys of militia company
that was organized in Frankfort to-day
as nucleus of Governor Beckham's
State guard, besides scores or more of
Heavily Armed Citizens,
partisans of the Democratic claimant.
Rumors reached the Democratic
leaders to-day that an attempt was to
be made to take Governor Beckham
into custody, and inside of an hour
after the report was circulated, petit
ton had been circulated and signed by
the requisite number of men to form
militia company. The men will guard
the Capitol Hotel all night against any
possible attempt to arrest Governor
Beckham. Only two days more remain
for the Legislature to remain in ses-
sion, but the developments of these
two days are looked forward to with
apprehension by leaders of both sides.
The Democratic partisans say that
Should the militia attempt to interfere
with the session of the Legislature, per-
sistent rumors of which have been in
circulation all day, it will be
Next to Impossible
to avert bloodshed. The Republican
officials, however, deny that such ac-
ton has been even contemplated, and
that the Legislature will not be mo-
Tested in any way. That the report is
believed in Democratic circles, how
ever, is shown by the fact that the adj
visibility of holding the session in
some other place than the State House
has been under advisement, and even
at late hour tonight the question has
not been fully settled. Several Repub
lican members of the Legislature left
the city to-day, presumably for their
homes.
The first move on the part Of Cover
nor Beckham's followers toward the
formation of State guard under his
administration, was taken here to-day.
City Clerk Ben Marshal circulated
paper and enlisted the requisite num-
Der of men who are to compose new
company. The guns for this company
have been
Provided by Citizens
here, most of them being either needle
guns or Winchesters.
This afternoon a report gained cur
rency that Governor Taylor had given
his soldiers orders to arrest Governor
Beckham and other officers of the
Democratic State government. On ac-
count of this report the men enlisted
by Captain Marshall were assembled
at the City Hall, armed and sworn in
as special police for the purpose Of
protecting the Democratic officers who
are still quartered at the Capitol ho-
tel. A large number of citizens also
volunteered and were assigned to var
ious posts in the vicinity of the hotel,
to offer a resistance in case the talk
ed of arrests were attempted.
Governor Taylor's soldiers, who are
on guard at the State House. were re-
inforced to-day, by the arrival of the
Barbourville company of seventy-one
men, all of whom are
Fully Armed and Equipped.
More troops are looked for tonight.
The Pineviile and London companies
are expected some time during the
night or tomorrow.
Governor Beckham this afternoon APP
pointed Col. David r. Murray, Of Glow
er Point, assistant adjutant general,