The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-01
SETTLERS UP IN ARMS.
Organizing In Military Companies 10 Resist
the Owners OF Railroad.


A branch OF what Is termed the Southern
Pacific Railroad extends from Goshen, in Tulare
County. to the foot OF the mountains. forty miles
westward, In the great valley OF the San Joaquin.
This branch is built at an angle extending over
a hundred miles distant from the authorized
line, rs described by the map filed by the rail
road company to designate the route of their
road hence the grant OF land made 10 the rail-
road by CONGRESS az not include me land along
which the road was built was n sand and sage
brush waste, For about thirty miles along the
eastern portion OF the road the land. barren and
desolate as 1t was. was settled upon by large
number OF poor but resoute pioneers, who by
toll and endurance constructed about 400 miles
of irrigating bitches, which broughtwAte upon
this broad Sahara and made IL one Of the richest
garden spots OF the world. Land that was not
cons ldered worth 81 % per acre at once became
worth from $50 TO 800 per acre and all through
the patient labor OF these resoluto farmers.
The railroad owners claim that this wonder
ful appreciation in value is due to the construc-
ton OF the railroad. This Is shown to be I'M
true by the fact that the land they claim along
the westerly ten miles OF their road and which
l. not irrigated, cannot be sold for 1880 per
acre. although the quality Is the same as the
other. The men who settled upon these lands
were men without means. They had 70 con
btruct the bitches with their own hands. They
constructed huts upon the moist lands sur
pounding Tulare Lake. and raised the food they
lived upon while building the bitches. Many
OF these worthy men recently Informed a re-
porter that they sometimes lived ON beans alone
Tor weeks at time while doing that work. and
frequently they did not know. when eating one
meal. where the next one was TO come from.
And now the railroad company has commenced
hundreds OF actions in eIectment to eyict these
settlers from the homes they have made valua-
bic. As might be expected they have have risen
up as one man to defend and protect their fire.
sides. Six companies Of cavalry wore formed
at Iianiord on the line OF the railroad. on FRI
day evening last. and they express "a determine
ton TO use such force rs may be- necessary to
drive the invader from their doors.
The settlers are determined 10 carry the con-
test 10 the supreme Court OF the United States
and insist that one case, which shall be a test
one for ALL is sufficient but the railroad com
pany secs 1T 70 commence separate suits against
each one. evidently with the intention OF treez-
ing out most Of them at law. and thus forcing
them 10 purchase their own homes at extortlOn-
ate prices from the company. In the mean time
every individual case Is 10 be prosecuted.
Never were "a thousand men more determined.
Tho railroad company cannot afford 10 invite
the consequences Of such struggle. The set
tiers express n purpose To die by their hearth :
stones rather than submit 10 the contemplated
Outrages and call upon the officers of the law to
resign rather than execute the processes in
Voked TO drive their irionds and neighhors
from the homes which they have built W. I'M
less prudence upon the part Of the ihilroad
shall prevail. II Is more than probable that the
first great blow against land monopoly and COR
poration greed will be struck in tho San Joa-
Quln Valley.