The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-27
COMPLAINT AGAINST LAND OFFICE.
Whatcom County Settlers Say They
Were Cheated Out of Claims.

Whatcom County settlers Say They
Were Cheated Out OF Claims.
SuxAs, Wash, Aug. 26.-[Special. Sew
erai OF the squatters on township 80
north, range east, which covers
part OF the North Fork valley, returned
to their ranches the latter part of the week
from Seattle, where they had been to make
filings. The township was open to entry
on the 10Th. They complain bitterly of
their treatment at the United States land
office. Previous to this date they say sew
eral parties came up from Seattle and took
the numbers OF some of the best claims
which had been held by bona fide settlers
for over two years; that in order to be
early on the day for filing they went to the
building In which the land Office is To-
Gated the night before; that they were no
tilted by the officers of the land office that
no one would be allowed in the building
until the next day. On their arrival at
daylight they found a line of favorites
ready to file. They claim they were al
lowed TO file on several pieces when the
rlghtfui claimants were there with posi-
tive proof of residence both by the sur
veyor's plats and by witnesses. A great
deal OF feeling is engendered and open talk
OF the use Of the Winchester was made.
lfthe conversations heard are any criterion
TO action there will certainly be some neck.
tie parties if the filers attempt to live on
the land. An organization among the
squatters for mutual protection against
ciaim-lumpers is said to be general from
Mount Baker to the Forks. 1t certainly
seems as though priority ofresidence, with
Improvements, should give preference. If
not, then Washington will lose a large
share OF her best population, the produc-
ing class, whichliyes along the streams of
the interior from their heads to mouths.
enduring hardships and patiently waiting
for Uncle Sans dilatory surveys.
In township 40 north, range east. the
west line of which is within one mile of
Sumas, there are squatters who have been
petitioning for survey for the past eight
years. Your correspondent was invited
70 attend an Indignation meeting held in
Columbia valley few days ago. Com
mlttees were appointed to draw up petit
tions to the surveyor-general at Olympia,
and the land commissioner at Washington
City. 1t appears from the statements
made at the meeting that the contract to
survey this township was let last year, to
be completed by January l, 1891 The con-
tractor. man named Oulett, of Olympia,
allowed the time to expire and turned the
contract over to surveyor named Gal
bralth, who sent man up to see how
much the settlers would raise to have the
work performed. Worn out from con-
tinued delay, money was subscribed and
the work is soon to be in progress. Some
OF the subscribers gave as high as $500 or
one-fourth as much as the government re-
CURES to commute 160 acres. The ques-
tons the settlers desire solved are:
DO the surveyors give bonds when they
take the contracts?
II so, why are they not enforced as in
private business contracts?
They feel that there has been a lack Of
duty somew here. The injustice is very
apparent.