The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-12-23
Delaware Reserve Lands.

Delaware Reserve Lands.
For over three years there has been
trouble between tie railroad companies
and tie settlers residing on the Delaware
Reserve Lands, growing cut Of the pecu
liar relations they have sustained the
one to the other, and The difficulty about
tile TO The lanls in question. In mol
instances the action OF The company.
through lis agent, has been inhuman
aud barbarous, and utterly unworthy OF
men living IN civilized country. These
series of acts We have from, tine to time
denounced in suci. terms as appeared,
in degree. appropriate for III. occasion
and the crime. We have not done SO
out of hostility 10 the company. as such,
bat as an expression of disarprorel Of
their objectionable in!.unsnity and un-
ius;i6iabia ou;rases upon those WHOM
circumstances have placed in ile;i
power.
By the no;ice in ano her part Of ihis
paper, i; seems ;hs! certain portion OF
these settlers are az ala likely 10 sc. in
r.. difficulty unless !hep are able 10 pay
up certain claims. Tie action of the
company in Ibis instance is jus'iiiable.
probably, as men should live up 10 their
con rac;s. If the company had tie riyht
20 sell the lan,ls--to enter ie:o the con
tract, and nov has right 10 dispose OF
ihe same, lhen those naen, who have
voluntarily (if i, has been voluntary en-
lered into obligations wall. the cem2a-
ny, should faithfully perform the same.
and make the payments hey have
agreed 10 dol Unless the company has
deceived them in some way. they have
10 right to refuse TO fGlly and faithfully
fulfil all the stipula;ions into which
they have entered. Ri CHI is right ev-
erywhcre, and on all occasions.
But we think this whoie matter Is
capable Of an essy solution, substantial
1y on Ills basis:
Mos. Of ii, settlers were either on tht
land previous 20 lie treaty with tie Ia
disus OF lave gone their since, On IN
ducemenss held oat by the old railroad
company, wi;l, 4 view - purchase Tie
land upon wl.isi, they h ve made Claims.
Bu, the company has nevefye been able
to gel i:;lr 10 he ian1. so As 10 make !
good deed Of Conveyance. Hence, Ike
settlers have ieit afraid. 10 invest Tor FEAR
OF losing tier monsy; sud the actiog OF
The company. or lis agen:s. hasstend-
ed t. Increase this fear. Yet the sell
e!ers are anxious to buy their Claims
They want their-lands and are willing
80 pay the price asked for them BY the
company; bat when hey pay their mon
.ey they wan, deeds for their lands, or
security that they vii! get them. And
this they have right TO demand. We
propose, then, that The company and the
settlers enter into bonds 10 this effect:
That each settler obliga.e himself TO
purchase the laad be settles upon as
soon as the company can give good and
sufficient deed for the lame. at the price
the lard was appraised al when such
settler took possession Of the same by
settlement, with interest a: such per
cent as may be agreed uron-ssy the
same as the company pays upon the
same laads-from the time OF settle
snent until pay ment is made; and fail
ing TO make such purchase wien deeds
can be obtsired, then the settlers TO
forfeit all Improvements made upeo their
claims 70 tie company. aud remove from
tho same without further notice or lrou
bic on the part of the company. And
on their part. the company obligate
themselves to keep such huds for sush
settlers. and protect and defend them 10
possession " the same until such time
as deeds can be given.
This would be fair and honorab'e.-
On such basis the company and the
settlers could work 10 each Others ad-
vantage. Every settler who. makes a
home and opens q farm On these lands.
adds 70 the value Of tie trse,s. ansold.
and the company caslsessrye part OF
the lands. and hold. sLo same for the
higher price they would command in q
lew years.
We suggest this plan Of settlement.
which viii certainly. prove TO the mu.u-
al advantage Of all conce, Ded. for the
consideration Of both the company and
The soit'ers.