While Governor Johnson and General Sherman were making whatever preparations they felt could be done, the Committee of Vigilance steadily increased its membership and by Saturday night had enrolled about thirty-five hundred men. James King still lived but his condition as of that Friday was said to be critical. The morning after the shooting he had been taken from the Pacific Express office to a room in the Montgomery Block where he received good nursing and care from several physicians and surgeons. When, by Saturday, he was reported to be somewhat better those closest to his care had no real hope of his recovery. And even if he did recover the committee had gathered so much momentum that it would continue on.
Charles Doane
On that same Saturday, in addition to endorsing the treaty made with the governor, the executive committee elected Charles Doane as chief marshal of the committee’s military forces and directed him to have them armed, equipped and ready for action at half past eight the following morning. The committee also sent word to Sheriff Scannell that it had learned that prisoners in the jail were armed and demanded their weapons be taken away at once. It then reminded the Sheriff and those he had called to his aid that in case of collusion they should beware the vengeance of the people.
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