military refused to act further as a guard upon the Jail; and the
companies for the most part disbanded; several of them reorganizing as
part of the Vigilance Committee force. The defense of the Jail being
thrown entirely upon the Sheriff; he placed arms and ammunition in it;
and made strenuous efforts to provide a force which might suffice with
his Deputies, the Police & co. to accomplish that object. On Friday his
Deputies were very busy in serving printed notices upon all citizens
whom they could induce to receive them, or to listen to their reading.
The summons was to meet at the Fourth District Court Room in the City
Hall at half past three o'clock to aid him in keeping the peace. The
meeting took place at the time and place appointed, but for various
reasons, did not prove a very decided success. The replies made when the
question was propounded to each individual whether he was prepared to
proceed with the Sheriff to the Jail to defend it against all
assailants, were very various. A merchant said he had been summoned, but
he refused most positively to move, and wished it to be most distinctly
understood that he was not a member of the Vigilance Committee, nor did
he intend to act against it. A lawyer declined serving, and on his
reason for doing so being required, said he was afraid; as he was
afterwards in the ranks of the Vigilance Committee, with a musket on his
shoulder, it may be presumed that his fear was of fighting against the
people. A medical man professed great doubts about his ability; said he
was not accustomed to the use of firearms, and thought it not unlikely
that he might wound himself or kill his neighbor. At length, a party
started with the Sheriff for the Jail; but whether their sober second
thought was discouraging; or they had no stomach for the fight; or found
their courage oozing out of their finger ends; the number began to
diminish immediately after starting; at every corner some would detach
themselves from the group; at every saloon or restaurant a distressing
hunger or thirst would silently but imperiously demand a halt; and as