Gov.  Shannon knew, as well as he knew his name was Wilson Shannon, that this meant another invasion of Kansas Territory.  There was no organized militia in Kansas.  Gen. Richardson did not live in Kansas; he lived in Missouri, and it meant Missouri militia and not Kansas militia.  Moreover, the Governor knew, or at least ought to have known, what an unreliable man this Sheriff Jones was.  Jones was Postmaster at Westport, and Shannon was living at Shawnee Mission, in the neighborhood of Westport.  And yet, without one moment’s inquiry, he placed the issues of life and death of this infant Territory in the hands of this lying scoundrel.

There was a rallying of the clans of the blue lodges of Missouri.  The following appeal, sent by Brig.  Gen. Eastin, editor of the Leavenworth Herald, and commander of the second brigade, Kansas militia, must serve as a sample of the dispatches that were scattered broadcast through the border Missouri counties: 

“TO ARMS!  TO ARMS!”

It is expected that every lover of law and order will rally at Leavenworth on Saturday, December 1, 1855, prepared to march at once to the scene of rebellion to put down the outlaws of Douglas county, who are committing depredations upon persons and property, burning down houses and declaring open hostility to the laws, and have forcibly rescued a prisoner from the Sheriff.  Come one, come all!  The outlaws are armed to the teeth, and number 1,000 men.  Everyman should bring his rifle and ammunition, and it would be well to bring two or three days’ provisions.  Every man to his post and do his duty.  MANY CITIZENS.

In answer to the above appeal 1,500 men, mostly from Missouri, encamped around Lawrence, under such notabilities as Maj.  Gens.  Strickler and Richardson, Brig. Gen.  Eastin, Col.  Atchison, Col.  Peter T. Abell, Robert S. Kelley, Stringfellow and Sheriff Jones.  They had broken into the United States Arsenal at Liberty, Clay County, Mo., and stolen guns, cutlasses and such munitions of war as they required.

But when this was known the free State men turned out from all the settlements of Kansas with equal alacrity, to defend Lawrence.  They came singly, and in squads and in companies.  They came by night and by day.  Sam Wood, Tappin and Smith, the rescuers of Branson, and who were residents of Lawrence, left the city, and there were none there against whom Sheriff Jones had any writs to execute.  Dr. Robinson was appointed Commander-in-Chief for the defense of the city, and James H. Lane was appointed second in command.  But Lane was the principal figure in the enterprise.  He alone had military experience, and he alone had the daring, the genius and the personal magnetism of a real leader.