Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-11-05

come to warn you off of il. We rep.
resent the Usage City Club, and mean
what we say"
ooh, that's what you've come for,
is it?" he said, rehectively. "Well,
it's just this way with me. I don't
consider at I've jumped anybod's
claim at all. If 1 did, I'd leave 18th
out any orderin' as soo's I found it
out. But l don't consider at this
claim was bein' held down by any
body. I seed a little jag O. hay at
sombody'd cut out yander-maybe n
quarter of ton or so-an' one furrer
acrost the land over thar; but there
wa AMT nobody alvin here, an l Just
settled an built my cabin.
Then comes an old feller, an says
at he was a-holdin' this claim for one
OF his boys. along 18th one apiece for
his other'n's an himself. Thinks L,
that amt no fair shake, an l told
him so.
Says |, Il wouldn't jump no man S
claim but where mans already got
a good un, an then not satisfied 18th
|
different thing Says l, Tve got a
better right to one claim for my fam
lily AN you have to four or five for
yourn. The old feller got consid'a
bic hot, an said heed show me what S
what, an went off.
looked at my two companions and
they looked at me. We all felt in our
hearts that the stranger had the best
OF the argument; but we were sent for
certain purpose, and were deter
mined to carry it out.
"We can't stay and discuss the
rights and wrongs with you," I said.
"We are sent by the Club to warn you
to vacate these premises within three
days. Your opinion has nothing to do
with our business. My advice to you
is to obey the orders of the Club"
Gentlemen, he replied, speaking
slowly and mildly, 81 don't aim to
wrong nobody. If I didn't think l
had right here, as L said afore,
'twouldn't take no coaxin' or warnin'
to git me off. But I've got my family
to look out for as well as any of you
uns, an propose to stay right here.
If l don't, it'll lie 'acause 1 can't help
myself. I'm willin' to pay the old
man for what work him or his boys
done on this claim. an pay m more'n
it's worth. But will not give up this
claim till I have to. That's all I've
got to say."
He went on with his plowing, and
we departed, much astonished at the
mans obstinacy, and yet not without u
feeling of respect for his determina-
tion not to be bullied out of what he
considered his rights. We still ex-
pected, however, that after he had
thought the matter over he would see
the uselessness of resisting SO many
and decide to go.
But after the three days the stranger
was still there, apparently with no no.
ton of changing his mind. Again
the Club was summoned in extra ses-
sion.
Some of the members were in favor
of taking Immediate forcible posses
sion of the claim, and "ousting," alive
or dead, the obstinate stranger, who
dared to defy the edicts of the Club.
Others, among whom were the mem
bers OF the committee who had called
upon him, did not feel that he was
entirely in the wrong, and wished to
give him the semblance of justice at
least. Our view prevailed. 1t was
finally agreed that we should try the
case in Club court on the following
day.
Next morning the sheriff rode over
to the disputed claim and summoned
the man Graham-as we had learned
his nam to be-to appear forthwith
before the Club Judge for trial.
"Well, Mr.. Sheriff." was his reply,
81 won't consent to no sech game.
'Acourse l know well enough at 1
might just as well give it up now as
agree to stand trial afore yer Club,
'acause the old feller at wants me
ousted is one of ye, and ye're not a.
goin' back on him. l aint got nothin'
agin ye, Mr.. Sheriff, nor any on We,
but | don't calculate to be bluffed out,
nor swindled ont by no sech scheme
If ye git me olf'n thit ere place, yell
have to do it by force, an take yer
chances while se're a-doin' it"
The trial was held, notwithstanding,
and of course resulted in unanimous
verdict for the plaintiff, George Saun-
ders. The sentence of the court was
that Graham be put off the claim on
the next day, by force or otherwise,
bag and baggage, and young Saun-
ders placed in possession. About
twenty of us assembled the following
morning to carry out this sentence.
| am not sure that we all went with
willing hearts. But we were pledged
to protect each others "rights," and
stand by the Club court, and this we
were determined to do.
Old Jerry and his sons, of course,
were of the party. Headed by our
sheriff, we proceeded to Graham's
cabin. He saw us coming, and was
prepared for us.
The sheriff and / rode on ahead of
the main party, to induce Graham, if
possible, to give peaceable posses
sion. We dismounted short distance