The Widow of the Woods
A woman refuses to cede timber land claimed by her two late husbands, daring anyone to trespass on her property.
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.
Deputy United States Marshal Bigelow appeared before United States Commissioner E. P. Ferry yesterday evening, bringing with him Mrs. Maggie Jackson, of Getchell, who is charged with cutting cedar logs on government land. Commissioner Ferry bound her over in default of bonds for a hearing. It appears that Mrs. Jackson has been married twice, and each husband started a homestead claim. They are now both dead, but Mrs. Jackson claims both the claims and swears that she will protect them from any encroachments. Several neighbors have cast envious eyes on part of the land which they claim is open for settlement but dare not face her anger. She was arrested on part of the land she claimed to own.
“They are now both dead, but Mrs. Jackson claims both the claims and swears that she will protect them from any encroachments.”
Land disputes in the rural outskirts of Seattle (like modern-day Snohomish County) were often settled by force of will rather than paperwork. This story captures the precarious nature of early homesteading and the tenacious grip settlers held on their claims.
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