New-York tribune., 1841-11-16
Correspondence of the Bangor Wig and Courier.
JUMPING IN ILLINOIS.


IN the way Of jun ping, which may be Interesting
to those who like 10 be informed about the man
ncrs and customs of the people, place some ex-
tracts at YOUR disposal. be states That he had
taken uo lot Of land, and, BY way Of securing his
claim put up the body of 4 log house. hat a
Mr. D. a large trader in the next village,
went about to select lot for Peter Grimes. his
Irishrnan, and chose To pitch upon this, and there
upon set Peer Grimes at work upon II. The VII
tor thereupon west TO D. and demonstrated
and some high words en-ued. D concluded
not to keep Peter Grimes there directly, but finding
a fellow named Nelson, Just arrived from the East,
procured him to go and jump the claim. Mel
son went upon the lot and took possession by
ing house upon it, which he completed TO his liz
ing in tho Of one day, the writer being alb
sent. A friend Of his, however, happening to
pass that way, gave information OF it to some 9TH
ers, VINO it seems Immediately understood the mat
ter and, collecting gang of about twenty-five. pro-
ceeded to the spot and held pow-wow, during
which they made a bonfire of the ediice to keep
them warm. Next day Nelson, not discouraged,
with magic celebrity erected another haoitation
the same spot ], who knew nothing of the affair
till next morning, got the constable armed with
capias for Nelson and subpoena FOR his brother,
both of whom intended 10 pass their shanee to de-
fend it. and raised constable of thirty to aid
him. We stopped at tavern to review our forces;
and here the company bsing spiritually elevated,
commanded the assembly in the name If the peo-
pie of Illinois, to go andIhelp him TO "puH doett
house Il mean 10 say" recgllecting himself, to
aid in arresting the prisoners" We mlrched to
the ground in order Of battle The Nelson's were
taken. The princi pal the constable zoos under his
own care: the other, who was only witness, he
put under keepers Thus we returned with our
,nlk h..
hind-for what purpose none knew. The next
morning, however, the shan,ee was again in ashes.
The constable, on heorisg of his said Z" | told
The id rascrls not TO burn the house; but at the
same time if had been officer, | would
have done it myself" The prisoner got ball. and
the next day found him chopping on the premi-
ses again, being all the while put up 10 it by D.
Previous to this, Nelson pulled dawn my LOG house,
and this the principal ground of his arrest
The log house rebuilt, and finished II, working
at it necessarily, about the last Of january. Nell
son put up a third house, when | again having
raised another force, pulled it down; and he then
commenced upon fourth. In the mean time he
commenced process against me, for iorcible entry
aud detaner professedly to put nae TO cost had
to 90 to X. to attend court. Mr.. +. and | went
without lawyer or witnesses, managed our own
case, and beat him. Ny cost was twelve and
half cents (for horse batting y his twenty dollars;
for it was "a jury trial though before justice. In
returning from Il. | found old man named Mer
ryfeld of my acquaintance, after rout
party of fifteen scoundres who had jumped his
cuirn the night before. The party NJ had raised
had proceeded toward his house, (three miles,
and he had turned out for more. | mounted
horse and followed as fast as possible / found
the party lust ready 10 proceed 10 the premises
OK seeing me, anI learning that had gained my
case, very important one Just then, thy checred
me Justify We started, twentv-three of us, not
one armed for our object was Pe1ce, not 7car.-
We found the rufans ready 70 receive US, making
use of the house, built Of stroTs ok ogs as tort,
each of chem having a rifle ard pistols aud Bowie
knives We parcyed with them while, when
they told us they should kill the first man who
touched the house. We. were now armed with hlck-
ory clubs and we proceeded to business by hitch
ing two woke ef oxen to one corner Of the house.
The jumpers, seeing this, stationed themselves
outside, at the two corners facing the one nj
which we made the attack, their guns and pistols
cooked and aimed at us, tccy said. tc ire when
we should give the word TO the Without
hcsitating we gave the word, and down came one
end of the house This settled the question. The
jumpers did not Ere; and we, giving them three
hearty cheers, drew the logs Oft TO Mr.. NJ s house
The day but one after they came on again. IN large
numbers: whereupon seveniy-6ve of Us went down
and gave some of them 4 severe logging, burned
up their hav and made them agree TO leave the
claim.
We have had several affairs of similar kind
Only one more will mention D put up his
Irishman, Peter Grimes, to 90 on claim belong
ing to one of our most wealthy citizens. Over one
hundred men, composed of all classes, including
our Judge Justice of the peace, and sheriff turned
(-,v ,iybtec fspr
squars) hauled it over miles, and left it in the
village of r. between Mr. D's house and store
There was great excitement about il, and it was
considered just rebuke upon him.
We have now claim-protecting association, OF
which am an officer, have large claims, and am
consequently, on principle, opposed to jumpin:. l
have now lived in my log house for five or six
weeks alone Ny food is corn bread and salt pork,
my drink cold water, and nothing but cold water;
and | am in fine health. We are to have a grand
ball at Il on 2:d of February.
Yours, &c.
NorE.-' Jumping Il claim is taking possession
of lot previously taken up and claimed by another
The presumption laws have from time to time given
10 actual settlers the right OF purchasing at the
minimum Government price. There is no law nor
power, unless new one has been passed. this
winter, giving any presumption right to any settlers
who have taken up land since February -, 1888.
The claims, however, of actual settlers, it is ex-
pected will be respected athc sales and there will
be combinations to prevent bidding against them.
As the lots referred TO in the above letter ale
now worth four or FIVE times the Government
price, i, is great object TO get hold OF them
Possession is sometimes taken by merely putting
.up a stake, or a camp made with few boards
Blu, the lands referred to above have become SO
valuable that it seems there is an understanding
that oaly the claims of those actually residing on