The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-02-16
BY d
ESQ tell the story that the world of today
will be the better for its recital ~


Indian title to the public lands has
been extinguished by the general
government for the citizens of the
United States to settle on and i'm
prove said lands, and Heretofore the
Improvement and claims of the set
tier to the extent of three hundred
and twenty acres has been respected
both by the citizens and laws of
Iowa,
Resolved, That we will protect
all citizens On the public lands in the
~peaceable possession of their claims
to the extent of three hundred and
twenty acres for two years after the
land sales and longer if necessary.
Resolved, That if any person or
persons shall enter the claim of any
settler that he or they shall imme-
diately deed it back again to said
settler and wait three years with
out interest.
Resolved, That if he refuse to
comply with the above requisition,
he shall be subject to such punish
ment Is the settlers see fit toinflict.
ment as the settlers see fit to inlict
Resolved, That we will remove
any, person or persons who may en-
ter the claim of any settler and set
tie upon it, ~peaceably, five can, for
chilly, if we must, even if their re-
moval Should lead to ~bloodshed, be-
ing compelled to do SO for our own
common safety, that we may not be
driven by ruthless spectators from
our firesides and homes.
Resolved, That a committee of
five be appointed to settle all diff
culties that may arise.
Resolved, That any settler who
may have signed these bylaws, and
refuses to do service when called up
on by the proper officer, and with
out reasonable excuse, shall be fin
ed the sum of ten dollars, to be divid-
ed among these who may have rem.
deTed the service necessary"
These resolutions sound like bust
ness, and in quite a number Of cases
in this county, the associations had
some interesting business on their
hands. A speculator from Iowa City
who mad entered and purchased a
claim of a settler in the eastern part
of the county, was visited by a com,
mittee Of five members and when he
showed no disposition to deed back
the land, was brought to Mahaska
county. On his steadily refusing to
obey the laws of the claim associa.
ton, ne was taken to the Skunk
river, bound and tied to prevent his
swimming and thrown into the wa
This was repeated three times, be-
ing allowed to remain a little longer
each time. On being informed that
if another plunge was needed it
would be the last one, ne concluded
to give up the land and stay a while
longer. He complied with bylaw
Number Two and received back the
amount he had paid fer the claim,
less the expenses made necessary in
adjudicating the case and the liquor
which had been consumed by the
crowd during the chastisement.
The action of the club was often
necessary in settling disputes OF
greater or less magnitude between
claimants.
The "a which became most noted
Majors, who settled in Scott town
ship in 1874. A widowed mother,
several brothers and two sisters had
all settled and entered land in that
community. 1t was afterwards call
ed the Majors Settlement.
After Mr.. Majors had entered lana
for himself and his friends at the
land sales in 1S4S, he also entered
claims belonging to John Gillaspy,
Jacob Miller and Peter Parsons. lie
tering some one else's land but af,
ter making the discovery he failed
to restore it to the proper owners,
\ meeting Of the club was called
and his action denounced. Majors
was infiexible. A delegation, includ
ing the neighboring clubs, visited the
Majors home and found aim in o.
kaloosa. Messengers were sent af
ter him but ne declined to return
A crowd stafd about the home until
the next morning, when some OF
his outbuildings were burned and
number Of hogs killed. On hearing
of the destruction of his property
Majors agreed to make restitution
but in a few days changed his mind
and determined to prosecute thu
leaders Of the mob and vigorously be
gan by securing warrants for theil
arrest. The general public senti
ment was against him and he made
no headway in his prosecutions
Peter Parsons had been arrested ant
his trial was set for Monday morn
ing. Sentiment warmed into indig
nation, and a a meeting wa
called at Durham's Ford on Sunday
morning previous to the trial of Par
sons. Some five hundred men gath
cred here and remained until MOI
day morning, when they hoisted thu
flag, and led by martial music, thu