 The town had descended into lawlessness with a number of saloons , brothels , dancing halls , and widespread gambling . The town had no law enforcement officers , and the local government officials had become bar keepers . Governor West had extended prohibition laws , Some local residents had appealed to the state government for assistance. but they were widely ignored in Copperfield . Over half the residents of the town had signed a petition , addressed to West , alleging that saloons owned by the mayor and City Council members were selling liquor to minors and staying open later than their posted hours . Governor West responded by ordering county officials to restore order , close the saloons , and force the resignations of the corrupt city leaders by December 25 , 1913 . 
 The town <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> descended into lawlessness with a number of saloons , brothels , dancing halls , and widespread gambling . The town had no law enforcement officers , and the local government officials <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> become bar keepers . Governor West <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> extended prohibition laws , Some local residents <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>had</mark></a> appealed to the state government for assistance. but they <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> widely ignored in Copperfield . Over half the residents of the town <a href='been_done' title='6'><mark>had</mark></a> signed a petition , addressed to West , alleging that saloons owned by the mayor and City Council members <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> selling liquor to minors and staying open later than their posted hours . Governor West responded by ordering county officials to restore order , close the saloons , and force the resignations of the corrupt city leaders by December 25 , 1913 . 
Da town done descended into lawlessness with a number of saloons , brothels , dancin halls , and widespread gambling . The town had no law enforcement officers , and the local government officials done become bar keepers . Governor West done extended prohibition laws , sum local residents done appealed to the state government for assistance. but they was widely ignored in Copperfield . Over half the residents of the town done signed a petition , addressed to West , alleging that saloons owned by tdamayor and City Council members was selling liquor to minors and stayin open later than their posted hours . Governor West responded by ordering county officials to restore order , close the saloons , and force the resignations of thdaorrupt city leaders by December 25 , 1913 .