into by the following parties Viz this
day I James Williams has bargened and sold to Philo Costly a
certain claim lying on the E side of Rapid Creek boundrys of said
claim as follows commencing at a white Oak tree standing about 80 Rods
below the upper forks of Rapid Creek thence running south 1/2 mile
thence E 1 mile to a stake standing on the Prairie near 2 Trees.
thence N 1/2 mile to a stake thence W. 1 mile to the starting place--I
the said Williams agree and bind myself to defend all rights & claims
excepting the claim of the general Government and also singular all
rights claims & Interests to said claim for and in concideration of
the sum of one hundred Dollars the receipt thereof I here in
acknowledge said Williams agrees to put up a House and finish Except
putting up the Chimney & dobing and also said Williams is to Haul
out Eight or Ten hundred rails all included for the receipt above
mentioned. Receipt. Johnson County. I. T.
January 25, 1841
JAMES WILLIAMS [SEAL]

Witness
CORNELIUS HENYAN
Handed in Februrary 3rd 1841"

The manuscript records of the Claim Club of Fort Dodge, discovered
several years ago among the papers of Governor Carpenter, are now
carefully preserved by the Historical Department at Des Moines. From
these records it appears that the first meeting of the Claim Club of
Fort Dodge was held on the 22d day of July, 1854. At this meeting a
committee was chosen to draft a "code of laws," and the following
motions were passed:

"First. That 320 Acres shall constitute a claim.

2d. A claim may be held one month by sticking stakes and after that 10
dollars monthly improvements is necessary in order to hold a claim.
Also that a cabin 16 x 16 feet shingled and enclosed so as to live in
is valued at $30.00."

Of the same date are the following By-laws or Resolutions:

"Whereas the land in this vicinity is not in market and may not be
soon, We, the undersigned claimants deem it necessary in order to
secure our lands to form ourselves into a Club for the purpose of
assisting each other in holding claims, do, hereby form and adopt the
following byelaws:

_Resolved_ 1st. That every person that is an Actual claimant is
entitled to hold 320 Acres of land until such time as it comes into
market.

_Resolved_ 2d. That any person who lives on their claim or is
continually improving the same is an actual Claimant.

_Resolved_ 3d.