The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-05-12
p / 0 \ L + II l. / f L
NOR TH-W EST.
BY JENNIE JONES.

So much injustice was done, and SO
many losses were sustained by the set
tiers, that this jumping of claims came in
time to be considered the most heinous
offence known, and, in self the
otherwise peaceful and law abiding pio-
neers came at last to resort to mob io-
lence to protect themselves and their
ers were compelled to abide by the de-
cisions of that most memorable of judges
Judge Lynch.
A part of the lands included in the
Mineral Point land office district, which
came into market in 1852, were changed
to the Stevens Point land district, which
was opened in the fall of 1853. There
was lapse of time between the change
and the time of opening the Stevens Point
Office. In the meantime the lands were
being settled up rapidly, and when the
Office was opened there was rush of set
tiers to secure their homes, and also a
firm determination on the part of all that
settlers should not be defrauded of their
rights.
In connection with these changes occur
red one of the most noted instances of mob
law in defense of claims with which the
writer is acquainted. This occurred in
Adams county, Wisconsin, near where
the village of White Creek then Cascade)
now stands.
There was man living there named
Lamphire, who was possessed of little
money, but was destitute of principle,
and had fully made up his mind to buy a
piece Of land Of the government upon
which some one had made improvements,
if such thing could be accomplished.
Mob-law had not yet been practiced to
any extent in that region, and he had not
the fear of any such interference before
him.
The opportunity for which he had been
watching now seemed to offer. A young
man named Samuel Barker had claim
on which he had made considerable i'm
provements. Not thinking that any one
would take unjust advantage, and being
of rather an easy disposition, he allowed
two or three days to elapse before he Wis
tied the land Office, it not being quite con-
venient to do otherwise. The knowledge
of this came to Lamphire, and he set out
on foot to the Stevens Point land Office,
the roads being bad, with the intention Of
getting Barker's claim. But he was in
discreet enough to inform some one of his
intention before starting, and he was hard
ly on the road before Barker was informed
of his journey and his errand. He was
also soon on his way, on horseback, bent
on the same errand, and, taking a nearer
route. was at Stevens Point, had his land
paid for, and his deed made out, about
three hours before Lamphire arrived,
foot-sore and weary, only to find himself
too late.
He accepted his disappointment with
as good a grace as it was possible for him
to assume, but took the opportunity to
look over the land office books to see
what opportunities might offer in future.
He found that the presumption of one
Jimmy Gaines, taken out at the Mineral
Point Office, had expired, and that the
land was now in the market at govern,
ment price. This was an unexpected dis
.covery, as he knew that Gaines Ia hard
working Irish farmer, and near neigh
bor) had been making efforts to procure
money for the purchase of the land, and
he had himself heard him say that he had
been successful, that he had sent the re-
quired sum to the land office, and that
he had been in time.
The facts were that Gaines had made
his arrangements all right but that the
man by whose hands he had cent the
money had been negligent, and had put
off going to the land Office for few days,
not with any wilful intent, but through
the spirit Of quitting off, to which we
are all more or less subject.
This was such an opportunity as Lam
phire would not hesitate to seize, and no
feeling of neighborly kindness, no sympa-
thy for the man whom he knew had
worked hard to make few improve
ments, and who, while supporting large
family, had put forth almost superhuman
exertions to obtain the small sum Of
money which would give him title TO
his home, prevented Lamphire from TAX
ing an unfair advantage and possessing
himself Of the land. IA
Armed with the papers which gave
him legal title to his neighbours farm.
together with all the improvements there-
ON. be was soon on his wav home. and