Handbills were circulated throughout the city at an early hour this morning, calling upon our citizens to assemble at 9 o'clock, in front of Apollo Hall, to take decisive action in relation to the events of Friday and Saturday last. A large crowd convened at the time and place appointed, and soon after Gen. Larimer was called upon to preside at the meeting, and Mr. Howard chosen secretary.
    Speeches were made on behalf of Mr. McLure by Messrs. Coleman, Smith, Moore and one or two others, and the People's side of the question was advocated most ably by Judge Bennett, Mr. Wanless, Mr. Dalliba, Mr. Richardson and others. There was some confusion at times in the crowd, but the prevailing sentiment, as exhibited repeatedly, was almost unanimous in favor of granting Mr. McLure no second trial, and insisting that he be compelled to give the bond ordered by Judge Downing.
    A test vote, on a motion of Judge Bennett was taken, to stand by the City Goverment, [sic] to sustain and defend the officers in the discharge of their duty, and to adjourn. The motion carried almost unanimously, and immediately after Mr. Shaffer summoned all the people then present as a posse to assist him in securing the person of McLure.--The crowd in obedience to this request, repaired in a body to the Post Office door, which meantime had been closed by Mr. Gannett, the Deputy, who stood before it on the threshhold [sic] and refused to abmit [sic] any one. He would have been very promptly and summarily driven from his position, had he not given timely notice to the crowd, that McLure was not within the building. There were some who considered this a mere ruse to gain time, but the crowd generally believed the assertions of Capt. Gannett.
    Marshall [sic] Shaffer was after a little delay admitted to the building, but failed to find McLure. He then proceeded with his posse, over two hundred strong to McLure's room on Ferry Street, but did not find him there.
    About this time, Mr. Wynkoop, a friend of McLure's, informed the Marshal that he would have McLure meet him at Ki Harrison's in a few minutes, and the Marshal repaired to that place, where Mr. Wynkoop soon after came and said that McLure would be at Judge Downing's office in five minutes, and execute the required bond under the judgment rendered on Friday night.
    A message was soon after received from Mr. McLure that he was in readiness at the Apollo Hall to sign the bond required.--Judge Downing, City Attorney Dalliba, and a few friends of Judge McLure, accordingly repaired thither, and the bond was executed forthwith. Gov. L. W. Bliss, J. T. Coleman Esq., and Capt. Parkinson, became safeties on the bond.
    By this act Judge McLure has shown a commendable desposition [sic] to submit to the will of the people, and has in a great measure removed the unfavorable opinion which had obtained with the public in reference to his recent action. It has all along been the wish of the true friends of Mr. McLure, that he should submit to the orders of the Court; and we congratulate our citizens that good counsels have prevailed, and that "law and order" have triumphed once more.
    We sincerely hope and trust that it will be a long time before we shall again be compelled as jornalists [sic] to chronicle events similar to those which have transpired within the last three days.

    We published in our last issue a brief report of what transpired on Friday afternoon and evening. The arrest, trial, judgment of the Court, and escape of Mr. McLure, were detailed in a few words, and we do not propose now to rehearse them.
    Saturday morning it was reported around town that Mr. McLure had been taken from the hands of the officer who had him in charge. There was some excitement among the people with reference to the matter, but the general supposition was that the People's Government would attend to it, and would not allowed itself to be bullied or intimidated.--After some delay, the writ was put into the hands of Mr. Shaffer with orders to serve it on McLure, who as [sic] previously refused to recognize the government, and defied any attempt to arrest him.
    At three o'clock P. M., a crowd of men armed with shot guns, rifles, revolvers and other weapons of warfare, marched with Mr. Shaffer at their head to the Post Office building, where McLure was known to be remaining. Near the Post Office they halted, while B. D. Williams, Major Bradford and L. W. Bliss, went to McLure and endeavored to persuade him to give the bond as required. He offered to give bonds to Mr. Goldrick or to Judge Downing personally, but still refused to recognize the government of the people. There was no alternative but to march forward and capture McLure at all hazards. With all valor and dignity, the huge posse advanced and formed in conglomerous order, in front of the Post Office. A few moments after it arrived there, a shout of "fire!" was heard, and immediately there was a miscellaneous scattering of nearly all the forces. Many of those who had talked the loudest were the first and fastest to run. No shots were made and no one was wounded. After quiet, and confidence were restored, remarks were made by several persons, and a motion was offered by Mr. C. A. Cook, "that Mr. McLure be tried before Judge Downing, on Monday next--to-day--at 10 o'clock A. M., and that he be required to give bond in the sum of $10,000, for his appearance at that time."
    This was carried: There seemed to be a misunderstanding with many, as to the resolution, and a stormy debate ensued. When several gentlemen had delivered themselves of their pent up wrath, and comparative quiet was restored, the required bond was given, signed by several sureties, among them we believe one or two members of the city council, and the crowd disappeared. The bond we learn was so worded as not to specify that Judge Downing was to preside at the trial, and differing materially from the original resolution as adopted by the people.
    We have thus briefly recapitulated the main features of a train of extraordinary events--extraordinary because they involve interests of vital importance to many good citizens, and upon which the very existence and prosperity of Denver mainly depend.--If men occupying high official positions are to be exempt from the operations of all legal enactments, and are allowed to "deny jurisdiction," and defy all authority, certainly the most obscure individual in our midst may claim equal privileges, and snap his fingers at all attempts to bring him to an obedient observance of city ordinances.
    The precedent is a bad one, and ought not for a moment to be countenanced or encouraged by the good citizens of Denver--We have an abiding faith in the good sense, firmness and decision of our business men, and we know that although they may have been remiss on Saturday in charge of their duty, a sober second thought will inspire determination, and prompt them to ACTION.

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                                                                    From the Daily Mountaineer.

    During the entire day on yesterday, the most tumultuous excitement prevailed throughout the city. W. P. McLure, a prisoner in the custody of the city officials, was rescued by some of his friends and threatened resistance to the bitter end, if any attempt was made to retake him. The Marshal of the city for some cause refused to execute the warrant and it was finally placed in the hands of one of the deputies. The forenoon of the day was occupied in attempting to get up a posse and it was finally announced that just at 2 o'clock, P. M. the arrest would be made. McLure, thus notified, entrenched himself in the Post-office and with a few friends prepared for a stout resistance. After long and frequent delays, quietly and meekly submitted to by the posse, they at last left Blake Street and with all "the pomp and circumstances of glorious war," proceeded to Larimer street, towards the Post-office. Another halt was called for as the party reached the front of Apollo Hall. A fifteen minute truce was granted by the blood thirsty posse without a murmur. If a month's truce at that critical moment had been requested for consideration, we believe it would have been readily granted.
    An attempt was made by a committee to settle the matter without bloodshed, which finally, succeeded, but such a settlement! O shame! where is thy blush! All who witnessed the close of yesterday's proceedings, saw the humiliating spectacle of a city government's majesty trampled into dust, at the feet of a citizen whose position should make him a strong pillar in support of the laws, but who, in defiance of all law, and reckless of the peace and good fame of the city, has placed himself in antagonism with the a majority of his fellow citizens. And he won, Think of it fellow citizens.--Fame gone, law trampled under foot, and the moral sense of an entire community outraged, by a desperado, because there was not courage in the citizenship to sustain the officers of the law in the discharge of their duties. At present we have no comments to make, we merely present the spectacle, and leave the people to reflect over the lesson it teaches, only suggesting that in the depth of their humiliation, they will reflect like men, and for their future determine to act as such.

Source:

Unknown, "To-day's Proceedings," Daily Rocky Mountain News, Denver, J. T., Monday, 5 November, 1860, page 2.