Mohave County miner., 1916-10-28
JUMPED SQUATTERS
 SWARM
(From Chloride Herald) Led by Redemption" Smith Choicest Chloride Prop erty Invaded-Belief Can not Hold Against Old
By ANTHONY McCAULEY

The rapid rise in real estate values here has excited the avarice of num- Der of local as we'll as outside people, who being unable to acquire property otherwise, have chosen the expedient of simply taking it away from the present owners. In other words we have with us at present the ubiquitous specimen of the genus homo commonly termed "squatter." He is to be found in all booming mining camps when real estate values start soaring. Pos sessory rights, the result of years of toll, become as nothing to the person who plants his worldly possessions in the shape of a tent and a bunk of doubtful vintage on the land you may have considered yours by right of residence and improvement.
 The first bombshen of the squatter variety dropped on Chloride last Sat urday when Redemption" Smith of Golconda arrived early in the morning, before the usual citizen was out of bed, and planted himself on one of the choicest lots in town, which W. K. Hawkes., for more than a decade had deluded himself into the belief that he owned. I say deluded advisedly, be- cause if he cannot oust the man who now squats contentedly on the ground the delusion will become a concrete reality and the title of others to their property in this camp will resolve it. self into a shrieking farce despite the serious results to come.
 When Harold Hawkes., son of the owner of the jumped ground, arrived on the scene several hours after Smith had taken possession, he rubbed his eyes, and for a moment refused to believe what he saw. When it fully dawned on him that. he was being dis possessed of his ground anger caused him to go into hi sstore, and when he returned he had wicked looking auto matic pistol in his hand. Pointing it at Smith he ordered him to get off the lot. Smith had an ax in his hand which he nursed with tender solicitude, meanwhile informing Hawkes. that there was nothing doing in the getting off line. Hawkes. threatened to shoot, while Smith, still unperturbed, coolly told him to go ahead and shoot. The situation was tensely dramatic for several n-;rrtos and many spectators really believed that tragedy was in evitable.
 Realizing that nothing would be gained by staying the intruder, Hawkes. returned the gun to his pocket. A short time after this incl dent Hawkes. senior arrived on the ground and ordered Smith to go, but his request met with his unqualified refusal to budge from his position un- less he were shown a deed to the ground. This was not done, and later I Hawkes. had Smith arrested for tres passing. Smith gave bail in the sum of $2OO. The trial will not determine the, question of title, which may be taken to the superior court as a test case.
 The action of Smith caused a rest less spirit to prevail in camp for sev- eral days, and Saturday night some owners of property could be seen pac- ing back and forth guarding their ground from the threatened invasion. During the afternoon of that day the stores had been depleted of tents and hardware stores had big run on ar tillery, such as shotguns, rifles and pistols of all grades and calibre.
 The invasion" did not materialize, however, and peace reigned supreme until Monday morning, when a rush was made on property opposite the Chloride store. Early in the morning the people were greeted with the sight of eight snow white tents on more of the choice, vacant ground. At a late hour no action was. taken by the own CTS of the ground, but it is certain they will put up a vigorous fight, as the ground jumped was held, it is said, at figure approximating $11,OOO.
 Chloride property has taken tremen- dous jumps the past six months. Lots that could be bought for S10O early in the year now are selling for $500 and as high as $25OO. One choice lot on Tennessee avenue is held at $SOOO. The tremendous growth of Chloride of late has caused a class of boomers to enter the camp who lack the usual re- spect for the rights of others, hence the present situation.
 Many residents blame certain citi- zens who blocked the effort of the