The homesteaders came west to improve their economic status.  This was universally the impelling motive in the westward settlement of America.  The simple functions were performed by these early settlers who had adjusted themselves to the needs of their family and the community.

The farmer inevitably had to be a “jack-of-all-trades;” the craftsman, and even the lawyer or preacher, might turn to the plow for a living.  Such versatility made it easy for the settlers to make adjustments and thus cushion the shock brought on by adversity and problems which they never expected.

Especially the first decade of settlement on the frontier was a period of uncertainty.  The homesteaders practically lived a hand-to-mouth existence.  It is little wonder then that discouragement and defeat caused many to leave.  Those who remained merely marked time, trusting for a change in fortune.

Some of the difficulties which those early homesteaders had to face included:

• There was a lack of materials for building homes and fences as well as fuel.
• There was a lack of water from rivers and rainfall.
• The weather could be unpredictable and dangerous
• Homesteads were spread out, so there was a lack of close community for social interaction and protection.

Another problem which many homesteaders had to deal with unfortunately was the “claim jumper” who had unexpectedly decided to build a “shack” on a claim which had already been registered at the Land Office.  As early as 1843, it had become a daily occurrence in Iowa.

The methods used by local citizen groups and law officials throughout the Midwest to combat the crime covered the entire spectrum of human behavior.  In one case a man had his claim jumped by a resolute sort of fellow who seemed determined to hold on, come what might.  The rightful claimant brought suit to recover possession, and was successful.  A writ of restitution was put in the hands of the Sheriff, and he proceeded to the land for the purpose of putting off the jumper.  When informed that he must leave the land, the claim jumper immediately climbed a tree and told the Sheriff that he had done as ordered.

This did not impress the Sheriff and he ordered the jumper to come down.  The jumper remained in the tree so the Sheriff and the land owner proceeded to place wood and other flammable material around the base of the tree.  When they set the material on fire, the claim jumper became convinced that discretion was the better part of valor.  He quickly dropped to the ground and left the country.

Early on, settlers realized that desperate measures were needed against the jumpers.  Near Omaha, six men were arrested, tried, and condemned to be hung.  Ropes were procured and preparations were made to hang them from nearby trees.  It was then that an elderly gray-headed father pleaded for his son and son-in-law.  Countless tears of their wives and sisters were shed before judgment was served.

A number of speeches were made in favor of death, but the final result was that three were set free on condition that they would do right and be honest in the future.  The other three were sent across the river, accompanied by about one-hundred and fifty men, with a verdict that if they ever set foot on Nebraska soil they would be hung.

It required a lot of courage for young single ladies to go out on the prairie and stake a claim a long distance from town.  They built a home and lived with no neighbor nearer than several miles.  But they did it.

The Huron Leader, in 1883 reported:  “A claim jumper recently lighted on a homestead nearby that had been lived on by a young lady for several months.  He had built a shanty during her temporary absence.  On her return she discovered him and his shack.  He was promptly informed that if he did not move it within an hour she would tear it down herself.  He didn’t move it.  She took an ax and tore it down, and asked him what he was going to do about it.  He meekly said he guessed he’d haul his lumber off the claim and he did.  That’s the kind of girls that live in Dakota!”

As late as 1908, in western Dakota a gentleman discovered that his claim was in the possession of two jumpers.  He was unable to look into the matter, but his wife, taking a six-shooter, went to the claim alone.  The men ordered her away, but instead she put the gun to the head of one of the crooks.  They were given time to leave the property.  It was an opportunity that both quickly accepted.

Miss Swanton, a former resident of Hutchinson County was in 1905 “holding down” a claim on the ceded portion of the Rosebud Indian Reservation.  One evening she returned to the home which she had recently erected and discovered that a “claim jumper” had taken possession of her property.  She promptly armed herself with a stout club and prepared to settle the question of ownership then and there.  After a furious battle, the young lady succeeded in vanquishing her foe.  The Miller Sun of July 19, 1905, reported that

“She now wears the rattles of the reptile as a memento of her prowess!”

Citizens often promised the claim jumper a permanent lodging place on a small piece of land six feet long and two feet wide!

 

Author Clarence Shoemaker, originally published in the Gregory Times-Advocate on January 17, 2024