Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-06-23
The .Neac Purchase.

stance.
The .Nsso Purchase,
We learn tina. the country lately purchased
from the Sac and Fox Indians, is being set
tied with rapidity heretofore unparalleled.
The principal settlements in the southern por-
lion of the purchase have been made in Davis,
Wapello, and Keokuk counties.
WA.pEL-Lo COUNTY,
WITCH lies Immediately west Of and adjoining
Jefferson county has already population Of
8 and 1000. The Des Moines river passes
diagonally through the centre CT this county,
and every foot Of land on the river is claimed.
1t is said by persons who have visited the diff
ferent portions Of the Territory, that this is the
best county of land in it. A town has been
laid off at the Rapids by company of gentle
men, who have named it
Or TUM-wAH;
being the original name given the place by
the Indians. Ot-,um. wah-n"ck pronounced
Ot-tum-wah-n ock) means in English Rapids
place ~ the latter syllable (nock, meaning
place) has been dropped in naming the town.
for thu sake Of brevity. This town is about 7
miles above the Agency, and IS miles from
Fairfield. 1t is within one mile from the cen
ire Of Wapello county, and will, beyond doubt
be selected as the sea, Of Justice for that conn.
ty. The site, with about a section and hall
of land adjoining, was originally claimed by
six persons, and was divided into six shares,
These shares have since been suh-dlvided,
and thern are now about twelve. The pro-
prie,ors have laid off 400 lots. of which they
propose to give to the county Qne half. or each
alternate lot. They have already given lot
to one mechanic of every kind, TO physician
and 10 two lawyers. There are already six
houses built, and preparations made for the e.
rec,ion of about SO more during the present
season, The town is laid out on the edge OF
the prairie which ascends gradually from the
river. There is great water power at the
town, which the proprietors propose 10 lease
to some person who will erect mills and other
machinery, fer term of years. There are a.
hou, one hundred persons who have already
taken up their abode at tina. place, among when
may he enumerated sepen lawyers! The price
of lots is from 80 to 5000
ks o.KuK COUNTY,
which lies Immediately west OF washington
county and north Of Wapello. is settling WIN
rapidly second only to Wapello.. This IS
also first rate county Of land. and IS traver-
sed by the Des Moines river. town has been
laid off near the centre on the claim of William
lanes. formerly of this y,lace, which it is sup
nosed will hereafter be selected as the county
seat. Mr.. Eddy has also laid out town al
his trading house, which is situated near the
line between the counties Of Wapello ana he
okuk. 1t is said to be one OF the most beaatl-
fnl locations for town in the whole country.
CLAIM-MAKiNG, 4
like it formerly was in this part OF the county,
is pursued as business by certain, portion
Ct the population, aud in some cases with con-
siderable success.-Claims in Wapello cou''-
tv are selling as high as and $500, without
anv improvements whatever while IN Jeller-
son county where the land is in market, claims
with large improvements and equally as coed
land can be bought for the bare cost of the IN
provemen,s, if not for less. Like, too as ~
was formerly here, there is good deal OF 't'-
cation among the different claim holders.
:. Claim Jumping" is daily occurrence. r.
ven Mr.. Smar, the Indian Interpreter bad ms
claim (which is nearly all fenced and under
cultvaion) jumped few days since. sever
al amusing circumstances In connexson WIN
this business, have occurred since the nrSt Oh
Nav. In one case man had his claim jump.
ed by reso:u,e sort Of fellow who seemed
determined TO hold on, come what might. The
rgh,fu claimant brought suit TO recover possess
sion, and was successful. writ OF restI'u-
lion was put in the hands Of the Sheriff OF Jef.
fers on county. and he proceeded TO the land
for the purpose Of putting off the claim Jump
er. When lie arrived there and informed the
claim jumper that he must leave the 'ano' ne
(,he claim jomper) Immediately climbed ''ee
and told the Sheriff that he had dohc aS ne
was ordered. .,I,h
The Sheriff, however, considered that al'ho
he had left the land, the aPP!rsenan'caes were
sill encountered, and ordered h'"' 70 come
lawn: This he refused TO do, wherenpon the
Sb"r,f ordered the by.stande,s to pile up some
mark and wood around the tree while he got
o,n. Ere In obedience to his orders, the bark
and wood were immediately brought. and the
Sheriff in few minutes advanced with tire.
brand. The im.jumper was now convinced
,ha, discretion was the better part Of valor. and
soon made his appearance from among Inc
branches Of the tree, and in FIVE minutes more