198 
KANSAS. 
some forty names on his paper, against whom warrants should be 
served.” 
The following letter, written by Jones to Marshal Donaldson, 
shows that the attempt to arrest Wood was made without a 
shadow even of territorial law : 
<s Lecompton, April 20, 1856. 
“Major I. B. Donaldson,-— My dear Sir: Samuel JNT. Wood 
is now in Lawrence, and I wish you to send me the writ against 
him. I arrested him on yesterday, and he was rescued from my 
hands by a mob. The governor has called upon Col. Sumner for 
a company to assist me in the execution of the laws. I will have 
writs gotten out against Eobinson, and some twenty others. 
“ In haste, Yr obs. 
“ S. J. Jones.” 
The committee of investigation finished their work at Lecomp¬ 
ton on Tuesday, the 22d, and returned to Lawrence the afternoon 
of that day. This first effort of theirs, showing clearly that the 
work of investigation would be carried on systematically, struck 
terror into the heart of the wrong-doers. That all their labors 
hitherto might not be foiled at one blow, they felt that a desperate 
effort must be made to break up the sittings of the committee, and 
the plan unfolded itself. 
Also, on the afternoon of the 22d, word came into Lawrence 
that a band of men were encamped in the timber across the river. 
Two messengers immediately went out from Lawrence to see if 
there was truth in the statement, and returned, not only to verify 
it, but the bloody character of the gang. One of our messen¬ 
gers was fired upon, and only escaped falling into their hands by 
quickly plunging into a ravine until they, in their search, had 
passed by. They were men from Lecompton and vicinity, and 
were stationed there to intercept any persons who should attempt 
to escape from the bogus sheriff. 
On Wednesday, 23d, the committee commenced examining wit¬ 
nesses in reference to the invasions. Dr. Stringfellow, Capt. 
Martin, of the Kickapoo Dangers, and others of like character, 
