During this period and for some time after strenuous efforts were making for the discovery and arrest of two men, McGowen and Wightman, who had been indicted as accomplices of Casey in the murder of Mr. King.  Great anxiety was felt for the arrest of McGowen not alone on account of his complicity in the murder, but because it was believed that he knew more of the operations of the ballot box stuffers and other political managers than any other person, and that if taken, he would be likely to expose many who had stooped to obtain office or position by his unscrupulous arts.  Long and earnest search was made, but for some time, no trace of him could be discovered.  At length in the latter part of June, it was learned that he left the City on horseback, disguised as a cattle drover, in company with an American and a Mexican, and had been seen in Santa Barbara, a small town on the coast about four hundred miles below San Francisco.  Being recognized, he fled, and was pursued by a party from Santa Barbara.  On receiving the intelligence, the Executive Committee immediately dispatched twenty resolute men in a fast sailing vessel to join in the pursuit.  On the 16th of July an arrival from down the coast brought information of his probable escape.  His condition was represented to have been such as to have excited pity for even such a criminal.  When last seen he was dreadfully wearied and chafed by his long ride, was without a hat to protect him from the fierce rays of the sun, his face dreadfully burned and blistered, and oppressed with hunger and thirst; and thus the poor wretch, loaded with guilt, flying from the gallows, with hate and despair stamped on his face, spurred on in his mad flight.

In the first week of June, measures were taken by the State Authorities to frighten into submission, or to dissolve by force the Vigilance Committee.  The Governor issued a Proclamation declaring the County of San Francisco in a state of insurrection, and gave orders to the Major General of the District to make all necessary preparations to suppress the insurrection.  General orders were issued for all lovers of law and order to enlist, choose officers, and commence drilling.  Recruiting stations were appointed in different parts of the City, and a considerable number of respectable citizens, and most of the gamblers, bullies and other notorious characters who had not yet fallen into the hands of the Vigilance Committee, but must have had very reasonable fears that they soon might, answered to the call.  They mustered no such force however as led to a public exhibition of their number or condition.  General Sherman, being unable to obtain from General Wood such arms as he deemed necessary for his purpose, soon resigned, and Volney C. Howard was appointed in his place.  In the meantime the Committee proceeded quietly in perfecting their arrangements.  The people, to the number of several thousand, offered themselves and were added to the already formidable