As seasoned politicians and public servants, the three men believed they possessed the credentials to demand the attention of United States attorney general John W. Griggs and perhaps McKinley himself. On their first day in the capital, they lodged a complaint at the US attorney general’s office, then met with reporters. They complained that they had been seized without charge or warrant “and told in forcible language that if ever again they set foot in Wilmington they would be shot on sight.” They demanded federal intervention.
