Colonel Owen advised him not to go, as the Indians were hostile, and as, in addition, it would be necessary for him to use the "United States troops in defending the rights of the Indians in case Mr. Strong should attempt to occupy the land before the ratification of the treaty. Mr. Strong, however, having set his heart upon this claim, and knowing that the treaty would be ratified in a short time, decided to make the venture, and on Monday, September 2, took possession of his claim. At this time his nearest neighbor to the northward was Captain Wright, who was said to be the only one between him and Waukegan; and to. the southward his nearest neighbor was either General Peet or Captain Talcott-probably the former, who moved onto the claim where his son, A. W. Peet, now resides, in December of the same year. Soon after moving into the Sweet shanty, it was surrounded by about a dozen Indians, whose intention was to drive off Mr. Strong. He, however, was not to be driven off easily. Going outside, he had quite a fight with them, knocking one of them flat upon the ground. He was immediately surrounded by the others, who with uplifted tomahawks and drawn knives threatened him with instant death. His escape is attributable only to his showing no signs of fear. The treaty was soon afterward ratified, and settlers came on in considerable numbers. Timothy Titcomb almost immediately afterward settled just north of Mr. Strong, on Section 13, but soon sold out to Myron Dimmick, who staid, however, only three or foul' years. William B. Olay, and his two sons, John B. and D. H. Clay, settled 011 Section 12, S. M. Salisbury on Section 2, James Mackey and his brother on Section 24, Christopher and Daniel Stanger on Section 13, and Christian Stryker on Section 12. These, among others, came in 1834, the last in December. Peter Gebhardt came in January, 1835, remained about six years, and sold out to Henry Miller. Israel Martin also came about this time, but after a short residence moved to Palatine. Joseph Filkins, who hall made his claim in 1834, built his cabin and moved his family into it in 1835. – Matthew Chivel came in February, 1835, during which year eighteen log houses at least were raised. In March, 1836, William H. Dunton moved into the town and has ever since been a continuous resident. In 1837 Ephrairn and Charles Morrison settled on Section 11 or 12; Russell Wheeler and Charles Daniels opened a store where the Village of Wheeling is located, which they kept four or five years, and sold to Joel L. McDuffy. In 1838 a Mr. Shepard, or Shepherd, started a blacksmith shop, and Asher G. Skinner arrived and settled on Section 12. Daniel Martin came in 1839. By this time there were about two hundred inhabitants in the town. After the ratification of the Indian treaty the principal cause of excitement for the first few years ,white men occupied this territory was claim-jumping, and if no one was killed for this crime, it was probably because the rightful possessors ,were so thoroughly united and organized as to be fully conscious of their strength and fully assured of Success in the defense of their rights, as claim-jumpers usually had to fight single-handed. A committee consisting of seven citizens, belonging to Wheeling, was appointed to decide on questions of rightful ownership m all cases of claim-jumping. This was the Inferior Court. Besides this, a Superior Court, or Court of Appeal, was appointed, consisting of three citizens, S. M Salisbury, George Strong, and Joseph Filkins, before which any case might be carried if the decision of the Inferior Court caused dissatisfaction, but the decision of the Superior Court was final. The most serious difficulty the settlers of Wheeling were connected with was the ejecting of a claim-jumper from a claim just north of tbe present boundary of their town in Lake County, in which case the claimant was assisted by two female members of his family feigning sickness. A physician, summoned for the purpose, examined the "sick" women and pronounced them in perfect health, and on the strength of his report the women were carried out of doors on their beds by the Wheeling vigilantes, and the house pulled down. This was about the last of the difficulties of this kind.