The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-01-27
The Professional squatter.

ranuoSfed y o.
Niagara Temperance House.
The Professional Squatter.
It is well known fact, that class of
men exist in the western country, to
whom the above title may be justly ap-
piled. They form distinct class in the
community, and pursue particular ayo-
cation, as much so as the mechanic, the
agriculturist, the merchant, or members
of any of the learned professions. Nor
does there seem to be, except on special
occasions, any concert of action among
them, more than what would naturally
spring from men of similar pursuits,
inspired by similar motives.
They are migratory-pa passing from one
region of country to another; and the
whole country that constitutes the west
ern States and Territories bear witness
to their presence.
Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois,
Missouri. Iowa, Minnesota, and other
places, have alike been infested with them;
and they have finally made their appear
ance on the soil of Kansas. Nor is it for
the rational and praiseworthy purposes OF
home and permanent settlement that these
men make their entrance into new Terri
tories ; but for purposes of speculation.
Squatting. with them, is trade, pro-
fession, pursuit. They move on in ad-
vance of the permanent settler, and OF
course in advance of civilization doing
nothing for the permanent Improvement
of the country-they secure. even before
territorial organization, the fords and
main gateways leading into new and un-
settled regions, possess the most accessi-
BILE points, and the most commanding
and valuable localities here, beyond the
reach of civil and social influences, pur-
suing their predatory and hunter habits,
they wait for the approach of the home
seeking pioneer, who is often misled by
the misrepresentationsof the squa.ter. and
being stranger in the country, exhaust
ed by long journey, economical of time,
and eager to establish himself in new
home as soon as possible. is induced to
pay the squatter bonus for his posses
sions-while the squatter, having SO far
achieved his purposes, and being well
acquainted with the country, removes to
another locality, where the next year, or
perhaps the next month, he enaets again,
with another settler, the same game oi
deception, pretense, and pecuniary spec
ulation. Thus he achieves his purposes,
pursues his calliag-passes on, in ad-
vance of settlement, from one portion oi
public domain to another, having first
picked the pockets of settlers, leaving no
permanent improvement behind him, as
a just equivalent for what he receives,
and imparting no blessings TO the region
thus vacated--saye the blessing of his
absence
From the law that permits man to
pre-empt once, and for himself only, 16O
acres of land, on domain open for settle
ment, he pretends to color of title-in
order to blind the eyes of the honest set
tler-to thousands of acres, on lands, too,
not subject to pre-emption, or not legally
open for settlement The settlers mind
becomes perplexed, amid the various and
contradictory statements these specula-
tors; he cannot go where they are not
they pervade-like network expand
ed-the public domain; and very likely
the new conner is entangled in their
meshes unawares. Then he must pay
the squatter his price, or leave the local
ity, or he is told that squatters are band
ed together for the protection of their
mutual rights; and rifles and revolvers
are more than limited at. The settler
hesitates no longer, suffers himself to be
skinned. and goes to work, in hope that
time and industry viii rectify the evil.
We do not, of course. allude in these
remarks about squatters to those pioneers
who come westward seeking homes, and
having found suitable location, COM
mence. and perseyeringly continue, to
surround themselves with facilities for
home and permanent residence. Our
observations are intended as warning
to such to beware of the professional
squatter-look. select for themselves, and
do their osca sq,tattiag.
Our Tourist has, in the present Issue,
some pertinent and appropriate remarks
on this subject. to which the attention of
the reader is respectfully cited. We
shall, ere long. allude to this subjectagain.
Delay.
E In consequence of our inability to la
Dor, a portion of our mail last week was
not made up until it was two or three