Writing from El Mendaro in Madison County, Kansas Territory, F. M. Cummins speculates about Wood's November 8, 1859, election defeat. (Interestingly, when the territorial legislature convened in January, 1860, Wood, and not his Democratic opponent, T. S. Huffaker, represented the 23rd District.) In a faded letter, Cummins writes that "the ill timed article in your [Wood's] issue of Oct 31st [the Kansas Press, Council Grove] on Jim Lane pretty effectively "cooked" your prospects in Madison County. . . ." Cummins mentions Wood's candidacy for the state senate (election of December 6, the first under the Wyandotte Constitution) and writes: "Being a Lane man myself and knowing your opposition to him I cannot wish you success. . . ."