Exactly what impression this document had upon the mind of the acting governor will probably never be known to the public. Neither will it be known just what action he took in the premises, unless a thorough and far-reaching investigation is made by the Legislature. But the suspicion is strong in the minds of most well-informed persons that the subject matter was laid before our United States senators and the president, with a request that action be taken by the general government. This impression prevails by reason of the subsequent action of the secretary of war in quartering soldiers for months in two of the northern counties, a thing unknown before in the history of the country during a time of peace, and the issuing of a proclamation by President Harrison calling upon the citizens of Wyoming to lay down their arms and repair to their homes, or by implication, that martial law would be declared within three days of that official notice. This being done at a time when the invaders were in the hands of the military at Fort Russell, and when no armed body of men was to be found anywhere in the state, save the soldiers at the two government posts, makes it difficult of explanation except on the theory that a copy of the above quoted petition, setting up a false condition, had been presented to the president, and his interposition specially urged, either by the governor or the United States senators at that time representing the state in Congress. It is understood that the main object of Major Walcott’s parole trip was to secure senatorial influence in urging the president to declare martial law, and perhaps Senator Manderson and some others joined the Wyoming senators in this outrageous demand. The first fruits of the cry for martial law are made manifest in the following telegram: “Washington, June 6, 1892. “Six troops of cavalry from Fort Robinson, Nebraska, are ordered to march to Powder River, Wyoming. The two troops of cavalry at Fort McKinney are directed to join them. Six troops of cavalry from Fort Niobrara, Nebraska, are ordered to march into Wyoming, going into camp at a point between old Fort Fetterman and old Fort Casper.” These cavalry forces moved as directed, and remained stationed in the sagebrush all summer, apparently as a forerunner of martial law. Common rumor had it that the regulators believed the presence of the troops would so incense the settlers that some overt acts would be committed and such serious trouble follow as to make martial law necessary, or at least excusable. The northern press “caught on” to this idea, and strongly urged upon the people to bear patiently this humiliation and give no cause for further action by the government. Such advice was hardly necessary, but there was no disturbance at the camp on the Platt river.