The Squatter’s Defense
A Seattle homesteader fights back against accusations of ‘land grabbing’ in an era of rapid frontier development.
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.
To the Editor of the Post-Intelligencer: Referring to an article which appeared in this morning’s issue of your valuable paper in regard to myself, I have respectfully to say that you have been misinformed. Knowing you would not do anyone an injustice willingly, I take this method of defining my position, especially to those who are not intimately acquainted with me, and who might form an erroneous opinion of the merits of the case at issue. In the first place, I have given notice that I claim the land in question as my homestead, it being vacant government land and unsurveyed, and I had the right to enter upon and hold it. It is against my principles, as it is of any honest man, to wrongfully obtain possession of another’s property. The party who went on the land after I put up my notice is the one who tried to jump it. I have certain knowledge of my priority of claim, and I shall maintain my right, even should it be carried to the highest tribunal of the land. I took possession of it with a witness, in the broad, open light of day, and attempted to land as anyone else would have done. I do not wish to be styled a land jumper or a land grabber—terms which better fit the person or persons who have attempted to interfere with my rights. But when I find an opportunity to exercise my right as an American citizen, even be it to take up land according to law, I intend to take advantage of the occasion, should I so feel disposed. By publishing this communication you will confer a favor and much oblige, James J. Harris.
“I do not wish to be styled a land jumper or a land grabber—terms which better fit the person or persons who have attempted to interfere with my rights.”
In 1885, James Harris fought to define his rights to ‘vacant’ land during a period of rapid territorial expansion. Today, Seattle is similarly locked in a tense struggle over property, with public debate shifting from the definition of a ‘homestead’ to the ethics of land use, housing density, and the displacement of residents in a high-cost market.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.