Following the Great Burn, Washington County, Ohio was thrown into chaos. Looting and rioting occurred all throughout the state, and Marietta was no exception. In order to combat the lawlessness in their city, and in Belpre, the Emergency Council was formed. They enforced strict rationing, martial law, and other safety measures. Local townspeople, sheriff, and police officers were conscripted into a militia. For a while, the county was safe. Crime went down as people attempted to find ways to survive the coming winter. Radio contact with Columbus was attempted, though only scattered intermissions came, none what the Council wanted to hear.