Posted by:
me
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Date: December 31, 2010 09:46AM
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Lee_County_Half-Breed.png/300px-Lee_County_Half-Breed.pngA Half-Breed Tract was located in Lee County, Iowa, roughly near 40.52°N 91.47°W. An 1824 treaty between the Sacs, Foxes and the United States set aside a reservation for mixed-blood people related to the tribes. The land contained approximately 119,000 acres (480 km2) lying between the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers. Under the original treaty, the half-breed people had the right to occupy the soil, but individuals could not buy or sell it.
In 1834 Congress repealed the rule. Immediately afterward, claim jumpers claimed much of the land. The government gave away mixed-blood peoples' claims to the land, effectively ending this Half-Breed Tract by 1841.[5][6][7][8]
The Mormon Joseph Smith, Jr. purchased parts of the Half-Breed Tract, probably in 1837, from a land speculation company. Deeds to most of the land were faulty and could not be held. This left the church with only about 1,000 acres (4.0 km2), including a town called Commerce in Illinois. The Mormons moved to this Illinois site from Far West, Missouri, to escape the Mormon extermination order by Missouri Governor Boggs.[9]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Breed_TractIt happened even earlier. They were fast learners.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/31/2010 10:06AM by me.