Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-04-07
Homestead RiIl.


Below is copy OF the Homestead Bill
as it passed the House Of Representatives
by yeas 100 nays 76.
4 till to secure k0Daesteods to actual settlers
on Tie pnJiic domain.
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States Of
America in Congress assembled, that any
person who is the head Of a family, or who
has arrived at the age Of twenty -one years
and is a citizen of the United States, or
who shall have fled his intention to be-
come such. rs required by the naturaliza-
tion laws of the United States, shall, from
and after the passage of this at, he emit
tied to enter, free of cost, one quarter sec-
ton OF vacant and unapproprialed public
lands which may at tn, time the applica-
ton is male, he subject to private cnt nv,
at Sl.2o per acre. or quantity equal
thereto to be located in b dy in confor-
nifty with the legal subdivisions of the
public lanls AMI after the same shall have
been surveyed.
SIC. 2. 1hd Be II furtser enated, That
the person applying for the benefit of this
act shall, upon the application to the reg
lister Of the land Office in which he or she
is about to make snch entry. make affidavit
before the said register that he or she is the
heal Of family or is twenty one years or
more of age, AMI that such application is
made for his or her exclusive Use and ben
eft and those especially mentioned in this
act, and not either directly or Indirectly
for the use or benefit of any other person
or persons whatsoever; AMI upon making
the affidavit as above required, anil filing
the affidavit: with the register, he or she
shall thereupon be permitted to enter the
quantity Of land already specified: Pro
rded houerer, That no ccriiifi ate shall be
given or patent issued therefor until the
expiration Of five years from the date oil
snch entry; and if. at the expiration OF
such time, or at any time thereafter, the
person making such entry, or If he be
deal his widow, or, in case Of her death.
his heirs or devisee, or in case of widow
making such entry. her heirs or ,.cvisce, in
case case of her death. shall prove by two
credible witnesses. that he. she or they
have continued to reside upon and cult
vate such laad, and still resi- upon the
same: and have not alienatcd the same ol
any part thereof then. in such case, he, she
or, they, if at that time citizen Of tho
United States, shall on payment of ten
dollars, be entitled to a patent. as in 9th
er cases provi lei for by law: 1ni provi-
ded, further, In case of death of both faith
err anil mother, leaving an infant child oil
chlhllen under twenty -one years OF age,
the right and the fee shall inurc to the
benefit of said infant child or children,
AMI the executor, administrator or guar
dian may. Mt any time within two years af-
ter the death Of their surviving parent. anil
in accordance with the laws Of the State
which such children for the time being
have the domicil. sell said land for the
benefit of said infants, bnt for no other
purpose; and the purchaser shall acquire
the absolute title by the purchase. and be
entitled to a patent from the United
States.
SEC, 8. And be IL further enacted, That
the register of the land Office shall note all
such applications on the tract books and
plats OF his office. and keep register ofall
such entries, and make return thereof to the
General Land Office, together with the
proof upon which they have been found.
ell.
SEc. 4. lind be IL further enacted, That
all lands acquired under tho provisions Of
this act shall in no event become liable to
the satisfaction OF any debt or debts con-
tracted prior to the issuing the patent
therefor.
SEC. 5. And be IT. further enacted, Thai
If. at any time after filing the affidavit. Al
required in the second section of this act
and before the expiration Of the FIVE year,
aforesaid, it shall be proven, after due no
tice to the settler, to the satisfaction of thu
register of the land office. that the person
having fled such affidavit shall have &C
tually changed his or her residence. o.
abandoned the said entry for more thar
six months at any time, then, and in tina
event, the land so entered shall revert oacl
to the Government, and be disposed OF al
other public lands are now by law. sub
jsct to an appeal to the General Lane
Office.
| SEC. 6. And be II further enacted. Tha
no individual shall be permitted to make
more than one entry under the provisions
of this act; and that the Commissioner o
tho General land Office is hereby requires
to prepare. and issue such rules and reg
uIatione consistent with this act. as shall
be necessary and proper to carry its pro
visions into effect; and that the register
and receivers of the several land Office
shall be entitled to receive the same com
pensation Cor any lands entered under I'll
provisions af this act that they are no'
entitled to receive when the same quaint
ty of land is entered with money, one hal
to bernid ty the person making the aF
|, Inlicafion. at tho time Of so doing, and q