Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-02-03

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Bit perhaps the most notable even
connected with Claim troubles, oc
Cured just previous to the DAT
mentioned q; The close OF the las
chapter, and as such deserves ful
account. under the above title, D.
which II has ever since been known
Some time during the year 1874,
family by the name of Majors i'm
migrated from the State Of Illinois
and settled in the western part O
what IS now Mahaska County, and
formed what was known as the ma
iors' settlement
This family consisted OF fivebroth
ers, two sisters and their mother, {
widow. One Of the sisters was alst
a widow, and had two sons eligible
to secure claims. In all there were
ten persons, each of whom claimed
three hundred and twenty acres Of
land, amounting in the aggregate tt
five sections.
Having secured their claims, they
were among the first to organize a
Club in that settlement, and adopt
rules and regulations for the govern
ment and protection of claimants.
But In 1917, when the land sales
opened, one of the brothers. Jacob
H. Majors, who seems to have acted
as agent for the family, entered all
their claims; after which, having
abundance Of means at his disposal,
he proceeded to enter some timbered
claims, belonging to John Gillaspy,
Jacob Miller and Peter Parsons.
His plea was that he did not know
they were. claims; but, after being
informed that they were, he. still
evaded making restitution accord
ing to the rules Of the Club. 'i
When the report Of these transac-
tions spread abroad, it created no
little excitement among tho settlers,
based upon fears for the fate of all
their claims. That the Majors were
a wealthy family, seemed now uu-i
questionable; and, if not checked in
their strides towards land monopo-
Iy, they might continue them, to the
ruin of many settlers; and their cx-
ample might embolden others to DO
the same, and thus neutralize the
real purpose Of the Claim Law.
In view Of this alarming state, Of
things, the Clubs convened, and
passed resolutions denouncing the
conductof Jacob Majors; and decided
upon q concerted movement to force
him to deed back the claims above
mentioned, should he refuse, after
being duly admonished to do so. 1t
was supposed he had many friends,
who might back him in a refusal,
and show some hostility In his de-
Tense; and this was the cause OF the
general uprising of the settlers IN
behalf of their rights. The Central
Committee sent word to the various
Clubs, requesting them to meet at
the residence of Jacob III. Majors, for
the purpose of inducing him TO make
the required settlement. #
At the time specified for thismeet-
ing, the exact date Of which we have
not been able TO obtain, large num-
ber of people collected there, ana re-
manned all day, awaiting the return
of Majors, who was at Oskaloosa,
attending the County Commissioners
Court, as member or that body. A
message Ind been sent him, desiring
his presence for the purpose above
stated; and it was supposed that he
would make his appearance In the
evening. '' :" y
During the day, the crowd was in
creased by fresh arrivals, and no
little excitement prevailed on learn
ing that,tha offender was absent, and
that doubts were entertained OF his
return that night, and of his willing
ness to comply with the demand for
settlement. In order to induce him
to come home, he, was informed, that
If he did not appear before sunrise
the nextn,orning, hisproperty would
be destroyed. When night came
withouts bringing the incorrigible
Ma3orer after having sent the above
threatening notification, twas EVIL
dent that something more than gen.
tie coercion would be necessary to
bring him to terms. as
At night some OF the company
went home; but the most Of them
remained, and camped on the ground,
to see what would be the result;
though We are informed that it was
not the design, Of most, of them to
execute the threat. And it is quite
probable that Majors also regarded
it as q mere threat, believing that no
one would dare to render himself
liable to punishment, for q crime OF
such q grave character; and that he
therefore resolved TO risk It.
But early in the morning the log
stable was discovered to be IN flames;
and soon after. fha corn cribs and
syat a aps<N