40 OUR USE OF THE LAND 



"Outsiders, finding themselves thwarted on every hand, re' 

 solved to make one general rally, and if possible, crowd those 

 at the door up so hard that they would yield their positions. 

 At one time scores would rush up against them in front, then 

 on the sides, then upon the front and side at the same time. 



"These operations were continued, and were for the most 

 part unsuccessful, from about five until nearly eight A.M., 

 when more harsh means were used. We passed the office at 

 about seven, and saw many who were nearly exhausted from 

 fatigue, having stood upon their feet thirty-six hours. A con 

 stant agitation and clamor was kept up by the crowd on the 

 outside, and a continued pushing inside, until many were so 

 crushed that they fainted, and were thought to be dying. 



"Window panes were broken out from a tier of lights above 

 the door, and several buckets of water thrown upon the faint 

 ing ones below. The Register, seeing many were likely to be 

 killed, and others badly injured, went upon the roof of the 

 building and declared that none who pushed or crowded should 

 be served that day. This served to produce the desired effect 

 upon many; others were so wrought up that they almost felt 

 desperate. 



"At nine o'clock the door opened, and many fell prostrate 

 and nearly helpless upon the floor. To sum the matter in brief, 

 we have never seen a more distracted and desperate set of men 

 than were about that office. All were armed, and resolved to 

 defend themselves to the last." 32 



If a land purchaser managed to get out of this alive, whole, 

 and with the deed to a parcel of land, his troubles quite often 

 had just begun; that is, if he intended to farm the land himself. 

 The farmer's problem was how to oust the squatter who was 

 likely to be found living on the land. Many people discovered 

 that in buying land they had unwittingly become "land pirates" 

 or "claim jumpers." 



32 Ibid., p. 109. 



