Washington Territory's Missing Land Maps
Would-be settlers at Walla Walla say no one can show them the government tracts they came for—and railroad lands are not what they want.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 6.—Rumors prevail in immigration circles here that frequent complaints are made by intending settlers in Washington Territory of their inability to find Government land there, and that little pains are taken to show them available tracts open to pre-emption. The Immigrant Association here claims to be in receipt of numerous letters from immigrants at Walla Walla, stating that as no provision is made for their comfort and guidance after leaving Portland, and owing to the difficulty encountered in obtaining accommodations on the way and after arriving at Walla Walla, they have reconsidered the intention of settling there, and are desirous of returning to California. In an interview with Mr. Howard, representative of H. Villard in this city, he stated to your correspondent that the subject has been brought to his attention, but it was wholly out of his jurisdiction. He was unable to investigate the truth of the complaints or offer any relief. He had been informed that complaints were made substantially as above, and that immigrants objected to settling on railroad lands and persisted in entering only upon Government tracts. He also stated that they complained that no one in Walla Walla seemed to know where such land is situated, and he had been told much dissatisfaction exists among immigrants. When the matter was first broached to him he suggested that his informer write to Mr. Schulze, land agent of the Northern Pacific Railroad at Portland, stating that the subject would receive prompt attention from him. It is claimed by the Immigration Association here that the difficulty in finding Government lands in Washington Territory is consequent upon the failure to have plats showing in detail the location of such tracts.
“They objected to settling on railroad lands and persisted in entering only upon Government tracts.”
In 1883, federal land agents, railroad land departments, and immigrant associations were all competing to direct settlers onto different maps of Washington Territory. The complaint that no one could show newcomers where public land actually was is an early version of the paperwork and access barriers that still shape who can find a place to live or farm. It also shows how railroad holdings and public-land policy were tangled together long before modern land-use fights.
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