HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
643
vation and peril over the long journey from the older States, and was no trifler to be readily bluffed. Usually, however, after a war of words and show of determination, if neither yielded, the quarrel was referred to the neighbors, and if public sentiment was adverse to the newcomer, it was idle for him to continue the struggle, for they dealt summarily and roughly with the "claim-jumper." But if, on the other hand, he and his family seemed to be honest and thrifty folks who would be a desirable addition to the community, and if his contention that the first claim was unreasonable appeared just, they took no action and the struggle became wholly personal. This was a dangerous condition, and in the strife the most determined and persistent won. Sometimes they remained bitter enemies for years, while in other instances they became helpful friends after the struggle was over.
One actual occurrence of this kind is narrated to illustrate the conditions then prevailing over the entire county that brought on many such conflicts, sometimes with disastrous results. In
1835 or 1836 a Mr. D-----------, who was an unusually active, resolute man, settled in the county and commenced making "jack-knife claims" of
separate tracts, covering about a quarter sec tion each, of the choicest pieces of land in that vicinity. He would indicate his "claim" by driving a few stakes or by blazing trees, by plowing a furrow or building a little pole and
brush shack, as suited his convenience. The settlers in the locality did not approve of his course, for they desired neighbors and that
the land should be improved. By his resolute manner and belligerent attitude, however, he stood-off some people who wished to locate on
these lands, and induced others to pay him something for his "claim." At length a Mr. W , looking for a desirable location, arrived and camped, and finding such a place and seeing no indications of occupancy, he decided
upon a favorable spot and hired a Mr. H to assist him in putting up a cabin for his family. It happened to be upon one of Mr. D 's "claims." and learning of it, Mr. D came to the place where the two men were at work and warned them off. The usual discussion followed; W refused to admit the claim or to quit work, whereupon D gathered about him a few rough fellows who were accustomed to follow his lead, and, coming with a load of rails, commenced building a fence close around the cabin W and H were at work upon. This of course, led to a quarrel, and the principals being hot resolute men, quickly precipitated a fight. W was a large powerful man and defended himself with great courage and vigor, but the numbers were too heavily against him, and the battle seemed, as usual, to be going in D 's favor. Infuriated by the unjust at tack and unfair odds, W pulled his hunting-knife and rushed upon his assailants like a madman, stabbing and cutting some of them and driving them from the field. Fortunately none were seriously wounded. W held the land, but the fight created a bitter feud that lasted many years. This dangerous condition existed for six or eight years, until the lands were preempted or purchased. The struggles over pre-emption rights were almost as disturbing and bitter. The fact that so few homicides occurred, and that these differences were so frequently adjusted without violence, is ample evidence of the innate quality of justice and power of self-restraint possessed by the early settlers of the county.
About 1838 the Government began the surveys of the lands of the county, the north tier of townships being first surveyed. Theoretically, and by provision of law also, the township lines should be just six miles apart and run due north and south, and the range lines should also be just six miles apart and run due east and west, thus dividing the land, like a checkerboard, into perfect six-mile squares, each containing thirty-six sections of one mile square to the section. The township lines start at the "Base Line," which had been very carefully surveyed and distinctly located, crossing the State on an exactly east and west line. Its east end is on the Wabash, a little north of Mount Carmel, and its west end is on the Mississippi, a few miles south of Belleville. It crosses at right angles the third principal meredian line at the corners of the four counties of Clinton, Marion, Washingon and Jefferson. The range lines began at the "Third Principal Meridian," which also had been very carefully surveyed and distinctly located, and which runs due north from the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers near Cairo- to the Wisconsin State line. This line passes three or four miles west of Rockford. Therefore, the townships
Dundee Area History
