Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1857-03-28
MONDAY, MARCH 90, 1857.


1
An erroneous impression prevails that, as the
Railroad Land Grant Bill has passed Congress,
and that, as the Land Offices have been closed,
no further pre- emptions can be made in this Ter
ritory. This is mistake. Those who have fled
on their land and made their improvements, can
hold their claims and prove up as soon as the Of
foes are re-opened. Those who have proved up,
and those to whom presumption right has at
tached-that is, those who had fled on their
lands previous to the closing of the Land Offices
cannot be disturbed in their rights, either by
the Railroad Company or any one else. Those
who 20 on to the lands nom, and from this period
until the lines of the roads shall be definitely set
tied, shall locate on arg quarter section, will be
entitled to the land at the rate of $3.50 per acre
when offered for sale, and will be entitled to make
the 6rst bid in view Of their good intentions and
priority of settlement. After the lines of the
road shall be definitely determined BY the Conn
pany, then, should any person settle upon q
quarter section belonging of right to the Compa-
ny, be loses it, for it is the property of the Conn
pany, procured by compliance with. the recent
Act of Congress. Should good fortune place him
on quarter section to which the Company had
no right, he would be entitled to the land at the
rate of $3.50 per acre, as above specified. In
view of the construction Of roads through our
Territory, Governments considers the land worth
double in value-hence the charge over the ordi..
nary price of land not on the lines of the roads, d
"But," says an inquirer. ssif emigrants can
settle upon the land through which the road will
run, before the location of the lines, and hold
these lands at the rate of $3.50 per acre, and
prove up when the Land Offices are re-opened 1--WE
are now speaking of actual settlers), where will
the Railroad Companies ges their lands2" We
answer,-they have a right to select quarter SEQ
tions from point six miles from the lines of the
roads to point not exceeding fifteen miles from
the lines Of the roads. When they come to To-
cate the lines, they can take such course as will
give them the most unsettled land nearest the
roads, provided they comply with the law. -
In view Of these facts, and we think we are
correct in our reasoning and conclusions, persons
who desire to emigrate to Minnesota, should do SO
during the present Spring and Summer. There
are thousands of acres of excellent land still SUBJ
ject to their pre.emption, but the best Of this
land will become the property of Railroad Com
panies unless taken during the present season..
In the present state of affairs, however, no Com
pany can get these lands under one year from the
present time, unless special session of the Leg
islature is called to dispose of them Chat is,
grant charters.) Possibly, such session may
be held if so, the lines of the roads will be par
TALLY drawn in six months from this time, and
therefore settlers will have some occasion to be
on the alert. We urge emigrants to come to
Minnesota, and come Immediately. There is land
enough and good land-room enough and air
enough, and good air. Then
ssOOme along, come along, make delay,
Come from every uaton--come from every wsy;
Our lands they are prsad enough, don't be alarmed,
For Uncle Sam Is rich enough give Us all farm.,