Arkansas Democrat from Little Rock, Arkansas • Page 1

ffe-JStfem "a 'moionihsta VOLUME 28. LITTLE ROCK, THURSDAY JUNE 1, 1899. NUMBER 218. GOV. BAXTER IS DEAD ture, and, tbat there was no jurisdiction In any court whatever to enquire of it.

Not daunted by these failures, and MANILA DEFENSES Gen. Lawton Assigned to the City and Gen. MacArthur to Outlying Garrisons. house yard, which was guarded by armed sentinels. Mr.

Brooks styling himself governor of Arkansas, issued calls for troops to uphold his assumption to the office, aud sustain his proceedings by force. A considerable proportion of Mr. Brooks' adherents were colored men. In tbe meantime Baxter, as soon as he was ejected from the governor's apartments In tbe cnpltol, took a carriage and drove at once to St. John's College building, in the eastern sub-urtis of tlie city, where he temporarily established himself.

As soon as'it became known throughout the city what had bnpiK-ned the. exclteufent became Intense. A number of citizens at once repulrod to St. John's College and offered their services to Baxter for his support. Tin were speedily enrolled as state militia, and formed a "governor's guard," aruiiug themselves out of about sixty stand of cadet muskets, which were in tlie armory of Batesvllle.

Here he was placed In command of the post, and remained as such until the organization of the Murphy government In the spring of 1804. under which he was elected a Judge of the supreme court. He resigned the command of the regiment, wlilch devolved upon his brother, and qualitled as a member of the supreme court In a short while he was elected United States senator, but upon repairing to Washington with his credentials was refused admission. When tbe war was over he returned to Batesvllle and resumed the practice, of law. In 18U8 he was appointed register In bankruptcy of the Flint Congressional District, aud diHchnrged the duties of that office until he wus appointed by Governor Clayton In the same year judge of the third judicial circuit, for a of four years.

And now, as the next step in an eventful life, he was Installed as governor of a great commonwealth. After the end of his term as governor he resumed the practice of law at Batesvllle, In which be was eugnged ut tbe rime of bis death. In 1849 Governor Baxter married Miss Hun-let Patton, in Rntherford county. North Carolina. There were born of this marriage six children, the oldest of whom was born In North Carolina, the others in Arkansas.

In commencing his administration Governor Baxter addressed himself to the subject of securing the enfranchisement of the disfranchised citizens of the state, and appointed to office, particularly In instances of the judiciary, those who bad opposed him politically, its well as those who lmd lieen for him. This course displeased his party supporters, who remonstrated with him for It, saying that such a course would inevitably result in giving the control of the state Into the bauds of Democrats, to which Governor Baxter replied: "I very well understand that 1o enfranchise the rebels will plnce the control of the state government In the hands of the Icuiocratlc party, and if you did not wish this to be done you should not have pledged me and the party that elected me to this course. For myself I prefer to give an honest UdlUlulstrutiou for four, years and re-MW tP private life under circumstances that will be creditable to myself and the narty that elected me, than to retain control of the state tor. a life-time by pursuing a different result." This was the beginning of an estrangement between himself and his party supporters. The session of the legislature before which Governor Baxter was Inaugu with every portal of law closed against him, Mr.

Brooks, on the ltOh day of June, J873, tiled a suit in Pulaski dr cult court against Baxter, claiming the office ol governor, its fees, emoluments, etc. To this complaint Baxter's attorneys fled a demurrer on the ground of want of jurisdiction, and In this shape the case rested uutll the foll6wlng April. In the meantime a complete reversal of the attitude of public sentiment to ward Governor Buxter took place. Displeased with his efforts to remove dis franchisement from the citizens upon whom It was imposed, and with his appointments of Democrats to office, his Republican supiwrters hud forsaken hlin and now began to espouse the cause of Brooks. Efforts were made In the legislature to secure his Impeach ment and removal from office, but the movement wus voted down in the house.

Finally the rupture which had for gome time been maturing became absolute when Baxter refused to sanction certain measures iu the Issue of rnllroill bonds, and the establishment of a state constabulary, the tendency of which would have been to plunge the state Into hopeless bankruptcy, not only us to finances, but as to the rights and liberties of her citizens. lauding Tiiey could not influence or control him to their wishes the Rudl cal Republicans at once abandoned Baxter and took up the cause of Brooks. The result of this coalition was that the former supporters of Bax ter were now his opponents, and were as warmly engaged iu championing Brooks' efforts to secure the office of governor as they hud previously been In keeping him out. On the other hand, the Democrats who had formerly opposed Baxter, see-Iu2 that he wus endeavoring to give the state a fair and impartial adminis tration, and had set himself against Hie measures of ruin which Ids former advocates bud proposed, Hocked to him lu their ttupport. until the situation of the two parties hud become entirety re versed.

At this juncture Mr. Brooks took measures which precipitated a revolu tion, aut' l'ut uu entl forever to bis contest in nil Its brauches. On the morning of April 15 the at torneys of Brooks called up the case agalntB'axtcr lu the circuit court for hearing. Baxter's attorneys were not present, being lu otteiideuoe In the United States court, which was then lu session. The circuit Judge, John Whytock, proceeded to Hear the case on the demurrer of Buxter, and pro nounced judgment overruling It Then, Instead of making order that the de fendant should either answer farther or else should elect to stand on his demurrer, he proceeded to enter a flmil Judgment 011 the merits of the case, de claring that Brooks wus entitled to the office of governor, and was entitled to 72.21S.

aud that Baxter be ousted from the office of governor of Arkansas. In a few moments thereafter, and without the Intervention of any court officer to execute the writ, Mr. Brooks, duly provided with a copy of the Judg ment, proceeded to the state bouse iu company with General R. F. Cattersou and about twenty men.

It was a day of excessive rain, when few persons were astir. Entering the governor's office he found Governor Baxter and ills private secretary, Mr. McAnany, wltliiu. He stated the proceedings which had taken place, aud demanded possession of the office. Baxter re fused to surrender it, whereupon Mr Brooks' followers ejected Baxter and took possession of the apartments.

He then took tlie oath of office. Having thus obtained a lodgment In the eapitol building Mr. Brooks sum moned as many of his folio wersais he could command, and seizing all the arms which were lu the state urmory, part of the building, he posted strong guard around the buildings and gave evidence of intending to hold It by force. In a short while a line of breastworks was thrown up In a semicircle around the buildings in the state- In the 4 Event That you have not ae- 1 gift we asked you to look over our assortment, ror t. Kjt we have many things suitable for that purpose, 4 and we are acknowledged 0.

a me Lowest mce. House in the City For Fine Goods. Wastes Dollars To Save Pennies, Thta describe th eo-celled eoo-hod toil policy of the nu who wjtci dollare of time to save pennlee, by setting along without a telephone In ale home or pleoe of bnetnees. No one want to belong to thli elan, bat ever 6ne li thne elused who talk to keep abreast of the times. Why not try the telephone? Hiatal Telegraph and Tdephona Company.

From Eye To Brain. What tbe eye sees telegraphed at once to the brain. Strain tbe ntrvei ol tbe eye and tbe brain made to feel and suffer. Thus many nervous disorders of tbe human system due primarily -to eye-strain tbat may be relieved by tbe ute of properly adjusted glasses No "guess work" wben we fit them. Steel frames, $3 to $5.

Gold frames, $7 to $10. And satisfaction guaranteed. Spott Jefferson, Jewileri, 216 Main Strut, little Rock, Ark. Be Sure You're Biiht, Then go ahead. You a mis take if yoU let us do your fotografic work.

Fifth ant Kiln. Opp. Masonic Tornpli. TlD SLOAN. LONDON, June 1.

Tbe Royal stakes were won at Epsom today by The Wy rern, with Tod Sloan up. Thirteen horses started. Tbe king of Italy is. said to be a total abstainer from the vne of alcoholic drinks. He is a bark Worker, and Is sometimes at bis desk at 4 o'clock In the morning.

The Quinn Shoe Department forced by their creditors to close their store, take stock and prepare for the greatest slaughtering shoe sale ever known. Wait for it. Everything at half price. Store opens Saturday morning, June 3. the mm SHOE-MEPARTMMr, 304 Main St.

IKE KEMPNER, Proprietor. pushed por ffloijey! Ono of the Host Rotable Figures in Arkansas History Passed Away at Batesvllle. SKETCH OF HIS CAREER Wat Identified With Some of the Most Stirring Scenes bt War and Reconstruction Day. BATESVILLE, June clal.) Ex-Governor Ellsha Baxter, the ntil governor of Arkansas, died last night at 11 o'clock at the age of year. His death leaves nine ex-gover nors of the state living.

Henry M. Rec tor. Powell Clayton. Ozra A. Hartley, Thomas J.

Churchill, Jns. H. 81 mon P. Huglies, Jas. P.

Eagle, W. Flshbuek and Jas. P. Clarke. Gover nor Baxter's wife died last year.

GOV. BAXTER'S CAREER. With the death of Governor Baxter passes away one of the most dlstin gulsbed figures In Arkansas history, one of those who was a central figure In the Brooks and Baxter war. The' story of his career is closely Interwov- en with much that is stirring in the an nals of the state. Ellsba- Baxter was born In Ruther ford county, N.

September 182" In 1848 he engaged in the mercantile business with a brother-in-law at Hu therfonlton, N. C. In 1852 he removed to Arkansas aud In 1853 established a mercantile business at Batesvllle with bis brother, Taylor. Since that time, with the exception of a few years spent in Little Rock, he always resided at that place. The businsss venture Old not prosper, and failed In 1855, nut the 'brothers paid their debts iu full Taylor Baxter liecame a carpenter and Ellsba entered the office of the Inde pendent Balance, a newspaper pub- Uahed At Rntpsvllle.

to lenrn the IH'tut ing trade. He remained there I war, during wnicn Time ue resu Hon. Hulbert F. Falrchtid, flrst chin, cellor of the Pulaski chancery court. Soon afterward he was admitted to the bar and followed Ills profession aU his life except when In office.

lie; Was a member of the legislatures or jsch and 1858, from Independence cottuty, and in 1850 formed a law partnership with James Hinds, of Little Hock, their practice being broken up by tin war. When tin question of war came up Baxter attempted to occi'py neutral ground and remained at Batesvllle. In 1862 General Curtis occupied Batis- ville with a large force, fortwo months and Baxter Interested hiuisclf in be half of many citizens In reclaiming property, procuring the release of prisoners, etc. After Curtis' with drawal be was advised that his ex pressed adherence to the United States government made It uusafe for him to remain and be left at once. Ill-provided, with his family and overtook General Curtis at Jacksonport He declined the colonelcy of the First Arkansas Federal Regiment, saying that.being southern born and raised, he could not take up arms against his neighbors and friends.

He then went to Missouri, and in the spring of 1803 was made a prisoner by squad of Confederate cavalry belonging to Colonel Robert C. Newton's regiment. He was paroled at Frederlekston, aud required to report to General T. H. Holmes at Lit.

tie Rock, with an escort En route, he passed in full view of the Federal army, and his friends nrged him to es cape to their lines, which he persistent ly refused to do, saying that be had given bis parole to report at Little Rock and that he Intended to it. On reaching Little Rock he reported to General Holmes, who tin in bliu over to the civil authorities. He was Incar cerated In the Pulaski county jail, charged with treason against the Confederate government The ease was brought before Judge Daniel Ripgu and continued till next term ot court. In tbe meantime Baxter, with the assistance of friends, escnp-d from Jail and remained bidden near L'ltife Rock for eighteen days without shelter and almost without food. Gciem! Steele then occupied Little Rack and Baxter made bis way to the Federal lines.

During this time he had been the subject of much abuse from Confederate sources, both in the newspapers and verbally, In the eourxe of which his courage bad been called in question, the Instance cited iu proof of the charge being bis declining to command the First Arkansas Federal Regiment. Stung by the ungenerous and un founded charge, be resolved to disprove It by acts, and at once applied to Gen eral Steele for permission to raise a Federal Regiment In Arkansas, which was granted, and be repaired to Jacksonport. where he recruited the Fourth Arkansas Mounted Infantry to almost completion, and reported for duty to General R. R. Livingston at SHORT ON ARTILLERY Oen.

Otia 8atinfied With Present Military Arrangements In the Philippines' No Protest. MANILA, June 1. General Lawton bus been given the command of tlie uc-fenses of the city aud troops forming the line aliout Manila, which will be his division. General MacArthur coin-jnauds the outlying garrisons and the troops holding tbe railroad and river. DEFICIENCY IN ARTILLERY MEN.

WASHINGTON; D. C. June phase of the army situation that is receiving considerable attention from those Interested lu tlie artillery anu of the service Is the Increasing shortage of men to care for tbe coustantly-lucreasiug number of guns lu tbe coast defenses. This question indeed may have considerable bearing on the question whether the call for volunteers will lie necessary. There are uotenough artillery men, It is claimed, to bine cure of the modern guns already Installed on coast defenses.

It Is pointed out. by those familiar with the situation that the guus themselves are suffering for want of attention. Emplacements for heavy modern guns are built with mntlieiuutlcal accuracy. In the big coast gnus the whole problem Is worked out by muthematics and if guns and foundations deteriorate ail the tine work in the original construction goes for nothing. OTIS IS SATISFIED.

WASHINGTON, D. June Otis has replied to Secretary Alger's inquiry as to Uie number of troops he considers ucoessary in the Philippines. The dispatch, has not been made public yet, hut la understood General Otis expresses himself satjs-lied with tbe preneut aiTiitifernents. CRUISE WASHINGTON, Jt Is officially denied at the department of stute that there bus been ariy ex changes whatever between the depart- ment and the German government or its representatives relative to the re placement of the Philadelphia by the cruiser Newark at Apia, Samoa. The subject bus not even been mentioned In conversation, and It is said nothing of the nature of a protest against send ing the ship to Samoa has been lodged.

At the uuvy department it is sold no orders have yet been forwnrded the Newark, and nothing is known of any German protest The German ambas sador. Dr. Von Holleb, authorizes a denial of the statement that be made representations objecting to the departure of the cruiser Newark to Samoa. ATTEMPT TO RESCUE. Plan to tree Prisoners at Lead villa Frus trates, ibis Morning.

LEADV1LLE, June 1. An at tempted rescue of prisoners In the Jull was frustrated by the vigilance of officers who were forewarned. A man who Is supposed to be J. W. Breath, of San Bernardino, Cut, was seen In tbe darkness to.

scale a high fence about the Jull. When captured he fought like a tiger, knocking dowu Deputy Sheriff l'elter aud severely Injuring Under Sheriff Lechinere by biting him lu the cheek, when Lechinere tjnully succeeded in drawing bis revolver be killed Breath, shooting him through the heart WICHITA CONVENTION. tvmniTA June 1. At todnv's ses sion of tne Trans-Mississippi Congress former Gov. Prince, of New Mexico, Introduced a resolution declaring that the Carey act relating to the cession of public lands for Irrigation purposes, should be so auieudedrfs to be equal in operation over all territories and states.

Robs, of New Orleans, presented a paper on the necessity of' keeping the mouth of the Mississippi river open, U. J. Sanders, of New Orleans, followed On the same subject Congressman I lynn, of Oklahoma, presented a resolution asking that American built, American owned and Anier lean manned ships be given the carry ing of foreign commerce. DICTATORSHIP PROBABLE. MADRID, June Silvela, In addressing a meeting of a majority of senators and deputies today, urged tbe necessity of radical reforms which he believed could be realized without recourse to dictatorship.

In the course of bis remarks the premier said If bis programme of rehabilitation failed the country -would fall under a dictatorship, which, he added, would be productive of evils. that college, which at the time was a military Institu tlou. Governor Baxter, remembering tbe consideration with which he had been treated by Col. Robert C. Newtou, when a prisoner in bis hands, and out of regard for Newton's military capac' Ity, appointed him luajor-geuerul of the state nillltla.

The next day, escorted by his "Guard," Gov. Baxter moved down town, and established his head quarters nt the Anthony House, with in three yards of where lliooks was in the state house. In a short while Baxter had at his coin niand all the military force he needed, Wben the news ran through the state there was a general uprising in his behalf. Citizens, in companies, singly and In squads, came pouring Into the capital, tendering him their services, aud ns fast as they arrived were en rolled lu the militia. livery train ana every uoai came loaded, aud ninny even came on foot, A company cnuie from Woodruff coun ty, under Capt.

A. W. Jones; another compupy came frpm Lonoke county another from Coijway county. Geu, II. King White brought a company of colored men froin Jefferson couuty au4 there were oher companies from uujoiuing cotiQiiea.

Gin. T. J. Churchill was nlaced In chaj-ge'of the troops, and a movement wag projected toloccupy the Capital Hotel or Deckla tiok, audi tlie Benjamin block, nnd 'thus closely Invest Brooks Tn the tat house, but on tele-grflptilc Instruction from the secretory of war, Col. Rose, the commandant of the post at Little Rock, interposed his force of Federal troops between the adversaries with a view to preserve the peace, and prevented the consumma tion of this design.

in matter of obtaining arms and ammunition, at once became the impor tant subject of concern to both sides. Baxter's men bad muskets, but no ar tillery. Accordingly, Mnj. William E. Woodruff went on a Journey to Texas, and purchased a battery of two Par- rott guns and bad theni shipped by rail to kittle, Itock, where they were duly received and held for use.

In the pressing need of the occasion, also, they bethought themselves of un old 4-pouud Columbiud gun, which tlie retreating Confederates had uusuc cessfully endeavoreu to burst on the day of the capture of Little Rock, September it), 1803. It was dragged out from Its half-forgotten resting-place near the oil-mill grounds, In the east of the city. The sand and gravel with which Jt had become filled, the accumulation of eleven years, was dug out of it; tbe touch-hole was rebored, atid under the superintended-- of Col. Ar nold Syberg, an experienced engineer, the gnu was hauled to the bank of the river at the north part of Main street and planted so as to command tbe stute house, but no occasion ever arose for its being flred for that purpose. Af tcr the commotion was all over, the gun-rwlilch had been named "Lady Baxter" was moved Into the state house yard, where it now rests, almost entirely overgrown with vines.

In the progress of events several col lisions occurred In Little Rock between the two sides. The most considerable of these occurred near the Feabody school, where shots were exchanged between squads of the two, and a brisk Skirmish ensued, resulting in the wounding of several on each side, but not with loss of life to any. Perhaps the saddest of ail the casual ties of that unhappy period wos tlie killing of David F. Shall, one of the prominent citizens of Little Rock, a leading civil engineer and real-estate dealer and owner, and a non-combat ant, simply being about his business on the streets. Ou the afternoon of April 21, 1874, he was sitting in or standing near a lower window at the Anthony House, near which his office was, having his back to the west, in which direction the state house and the Brooks forces were.

On a sudden, while there was no engagement or other disturbance in progress, a volley of musketry was flred from the upper windows of the Metropolitan building, which was inside tbe Brooks lines, aimed down Markbani street in the direction of the Anthony House, where several bullets (Continued on 5th page.) rated was the nineteenth iu uuinlier It assembled January 1873, and re' mnllied In session uutil April 25. In it the Republicans were ugalu In the mil Jorlty. The acts ol public Importance passed were to submit to the jieoplc the ameuumuni to tne constitution pro posed by the legislature of 1871, which practically removed disfranchisement, out made registration a prerequisite for voting, and as the registrars hud power to strike off of the lists, iu se cret, such names as they selected, from which uctlou there was no upiieul, the matter of suffrage still remained sur rounded by dangerous conditions. Other acts of importance were dls- trlcting the state Into five districts for congressional purposes; to maintain a system of free common schools, and creating the counties of Buxter, Clay, ton, Gurluud, Faulkner, Lonoke, How ard, Dorsey, Lee and Stone." Ipon the innugtirutiou of Governor Buxter Mr. Brooks at once entered upon a contest for the office.

He was a man of Indomitable energy and of great courage and persistence. He had been a Baptist minister, and Is said to have come to the state about 1M13 or 18U4, us chaphilu of a colored regiment of the Federal Army, and at the conclusion of the war had settled at Heli ua. He was a strong and ford ble speaker. As a debater he was one of the greatest of bis time. He pos sessed great menial and physical vigor, and was gifted with a voice of most unwearied duration.

He could address uu auuieuce hour after hour without fatigue, and at all times present a forcible aud logical discourse. At ilrst he had been one of tbe most extreme supporters of the reconstruction measures, and of the state administration ot Governor Clayton Instituted under It, until In time the dissensions which have been alluded to bad sprung up and had brought aliout the present pro ceedings. His contest for the office made lie- fore the legislature, which by law wus the out tribunal clothed with power to try a contest for the governorship, was decided by that ouiiy against bim, He next endeavored to bring 'the case before the Federal court, under a precedent furnished by the action of the Federal Judiciary in Louisiana In tuklng cognizance of an election case In the city of New Orleans, but Judge Caldwell, the district judge, refused the application on the ground that there was no Jurisdiction in the Federal courts for such matters. Proceedings were then begun In the supreme court by quo warranto against Governor Baxter, but that court de cided that the right to try the title to tbe office existed only In the legisla.