The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1890-04-24
FIGHTING FOR LAND.
Trouble Over Valuable Property in
the City Limits of Spokane Falls.

Trouble Over Valuable Property in
the City Limits of Spokane Falls.
SPOKANE FALLS, Wash, Special Telegram,
The recent decision of Secretary
Noble that he would hear testimony in the
case of the Indian Enoch, who claims to
have taken up a homestead on land now
nearly III the center Of the city, from which
he was inveigled by one Crowley and the
Northern Pacific has caused great excite
ment. All last night lots were jumped in
the disputed tract, and hundreds OF shan
ties erected on valuable property in the sec
ton of the city where the best residents are
This morning property owners tore down
number, but III some cases resistance with
firearms was offered, and shanty owners re-
main masters. In some houses families OF
squattcrS had moved. These weren touched.
In the excitement some houses were pulled
down that were not in the disputed prop
erty involved in EnOch's claim. This
caused great excitement and talk of lynch
ing but no serious disorders occurred.
Many owners protected their property with
arms and small crowds rOamed aiml essly
over disputed land watching rival factions.
Some property holders had jumpers arrest
ed for trespass. Among the jumpers ar
rested was Stephen Johnson, nephew of
City Clerk Prendergast of st. Paul. The
property involved is worth five OF six mill
ion dollars, including the finest residences
in the CITY, some worth $50, OOO. Telegl ans
have been sent to Secretary Noble and the
Washington cOngressiona delegation, ask
| ing them to hurry up the hearing of the
case.
GREAT DEAL OF BLCSTER.
The situation is changed for the better
tonight, and it is now hoped that no more
| serious results will occur than has already
| happened. There was a great deal of blus-
! terlng talk among the SquatterS, but it is
not thought that they will resist the au-
thorities to the extent of precipitating a
not intend to submit to what they consid-
er the theft of property before
their very eyes. Many of them
have already destroyed the shanties
on their property and threaten dire
vengeance on any one who dares to set
foot on their property in the future.
Being determined men they are taken at
! their word by the squatters, who do not like
to lace the Winchesters that are ready for
them. There are three classes of claimants
for the property and for some Of it four
These claimants are as follows First the
government represented by the squatters
| second, the Northern Pacific Railroad com
paly; third. the Indian who had possession
Otthe land at the time Ofthe definite location
Of the railroad and who had titled It, anC
made improvements thereon; fourth, a Mr.
Coaley, who has claim against the railroad
company lOr pOTIlON OF tNe Idnc. 1ut
excitement will doubtless quiet down in
few days, and the contest be LETT to the de
Cision Of the interior department and tn
courts. A long siege of litigation will doubt
less result. The property owners held
meeting. tonight, which resulted in the ap
pointment OF large force Of special police
who have orders to disperse all crowds OF
the premises.
MOTION FOR REVIEW.
WASHINGTON, Special Telegram
Word has been received in this city tina
the recent order of Secretary Noble for
hearing to determine the status of valu
able tract Of land in Spokone Falls la
been followed by a good deal of excite
ment, and rush to get in on the groun,
floor. The property which was once OIL
Indian EnOch's garden spot now clalme
by the Northern Pacific and others lis sal
to be worth from $5,OOO,OO0 to 5000, 0O0, :
rhUtT6IfttUf review III Be made in day Q
two. This will stop any proceeding
SO far as the secretary is concerned until a
argument can be heard on the secretary
order for hearing. Should he overrul
the motion, the hearing would be had t
determine the facts as to Enoch's settlement
and improvement, and whether he had sew
cred his ribal relations at the time of films
definite location by the Northern Pacific.