Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-17


bis brother, who was much younger.
And he stood still in the well he was dig
ging, rested his spade on the edge and looked
at the newcomer as he approached.
"Howdy, boys? What you doing?" said the
newcomer, refining in his horse.
The stranger was man probably 90 years
of age He was rough in dress, and there was
an expression of duphcity in his face easily
noticed by close observer.
He wore the usual sombrero had revolver
in belt at his side, and lariat hung at
his saddle-bow. His yellow pony, bony and
illkept, painted violently as he was brought
to a standstill.
"What you doing, / say?" the stranger
repeated, for the young men were somewhat
surprised at his appearance and did not an
swer Immediately. -,
There was trace of irritation in the
1--WE are digging well to establish my
claim to this land, replied George, the elder
of the brothers.
You are hsy2~ said the 4; strange %gs c1sim syI
belongs to my son-n-aw, Tillory, and don't
like to say it, boys, but guess you'll have to
clear out"
"Shall we?" asked George.
al reckon you'll have to. don't see no
"Has fillory fled on the land?" George
inquired, for he was unwilling to give up
easily. -,
shifting on his yellow pony.
.S1 made any improvements?
''Well, we have" the younger brother in
terrupted eve are digging a we'll"
"That don't make no difference. This lands
Tillory's" =,
"Did Tillory file pre-emption claim?"
George asked.
"And don't you have to make some inn
provements before you file?"
ooh, well, boys, it's this away. Tillory
filed on this here land before notary public
at Fresno, and he had to go back to Missouri
and the notary told him that if anybody come
along to file on it / could tell them how it
was and they couldn't take it."
II didn't know that" remarked George.
We'll that's how the Snt stranger neeGn ws1t
Of is L round oD here. Why, Boys, it's this a-way@
Here the stranger grew very. CONFIDENTIAL
and talked IN a low tone wagglng ms head
in patronizing way.
"It's this away. You can file on a claim
in your own name and then file on other
claims in other names. After awhile all the
of the claims you've filed on and you can get
fifty or hundred for relinquishing your right
"Yes, see," said George, who with di i
opinion of such violation of the law.
"Now, you boys" the stranger continued,
"can get all the land you want not very far
to the southwest. You can't get this claim,
of course. You see, this is Tillnry's. Poor
feller, he was sick and had to go back to Mis-
souri,. He'll be back in. week two, and
he wouldn't like to find anybody on his claim
tell you, boys, Tillory,is bad man."
This last sentence the stranger evidently
thought would be very effective.
Gathering up his reins, he prepared to start
We'll good5,dayl What's your aames'
"Our name is Shaw" replied George.
"Shaw!" repeated Mr.. Fisher. "I hope
you'll get plenty of good land: I'm sorry
you can't take this claim. but it's Tillory's,
and he would make it hot for anyone that
would try to take it. Good-day"
And the yellow pony went cantering over
the prairie.
"What do you think?" asked Rob. the
younger brother, as the horse and rider dis
appeared over a SWELL
"What do l think? l think there is no
such man as Tillory; OF if there is, he was
that this man Fisher has fled on this land in
the name of Tillory,. and wants to hold it,"
"What are you going to do about it?"
"K am going to file pre-emption on it. We
have we'll here. That is an improvement.
and an improvement must be made before the
land is filed on know the law"
''You had better file on it soon, then. That
man is tricky, I'll wager"
"I'll 90 to the land office tomorrow"
The following morning George rode to the
nearest railroad station on the blackboard of
a claim holder. and there took the train for
Garden City.
Arriving the next day at Garden City,
George walked into the land Office and took
his place in the line.