Settlers had to do more than “walk off” the boundaries of the land they wanted to claim. They had to meet other requirements. One requirement was settlers had to be United States Citizens. Eugene and Mary Skinner were citizens and could claim 320 acres each.

1854-Kalapuyan William Hartless and Family

The Native Americans in the Willamette Valley were not United States Citizens. They could not claim land they had lived on for thousands of years. Instead, the tribes “were told that for the next five years they would be supplied with blankets, clothes, hats, sugar, flour, and plows.” Plots of farmland and access to a school, blacksmith shop, and general stores were also offered. source

Another requirement was settlers had to live on the land and use it. Eugene Skinner built a temporary lean-to for shelter. Later, he and General Cornelius Gilliam built a small log cabin for the Skinner family.

Eugene Skinner planned to build his cabin near the bottom of the butte, but he was told by a couple of Kalapuyans to build on Ya-po-ah, higher ground, as “big waters” would come some day. He took their advice and built on the west side of the butte. Eugene Skinner wrote to his sister Phebe, “In July, 1846 had a cabin built & 20 acres of wheat sown.” He did not mention there was no door or window to cover the openings.

Mr. Skinner and Mr. Gilliam returned to Rickreall in October of 1846 for the winter. Jim Collins and a few other pioneers used the Skinner cabin that winter to rest and look after cattle that were too weak to continue their travels across the continent. source video

During this time, General Cornelius Gilliam’s daughter recalls, “Mrs. Skinner stayed at our house. Mrs. Skinner gave me the only book I ever owned. It was an A, B, C book. She called it a primer…. [My teacher] didn’t have any sure enough readers, so he tore up a Bible and gave each scholar a page or so. Mrs. Skinner helped me learn to read, for I took my pages home with me every night so I would have my lesson the next day.” source