Complex sentence: W.R. Gilbert, sheriff of El Paso County, requested troops from the governor, writing: It has been brought to my attention that men have been severely beaten, and there is grave danger of destruction of property.
Split into simpler sentences: W.R. Gilbert, sheriff of El Paso County, requested troops from the governor. Sheriff Gilbert wrote: It has been brought to my attention that men have been severely beaten, and there is grave danger of destruction of property.