Complex sentence: After Ohio politicians blocked Michigan's bid to become a state, both sides raised militias to enforce their claims.The only casualty was a wounded sheriff, stabbed with a penknife, and in the only clash, Michigan militiamen fired shots in the air and captured Ohioan surveyors.
Split into simpler sentences: After Ohio politicians blocked Michigan's bid to become a state, both sides raised militias to enforce their claims--but the only casualty was a wounded sheriff, stabbed with a penknife. In the only clash, Michigan militiamen fired shots in the air and captured Ohioan surveyors.