The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-06-01
Free Homes.

ed thither more rapidly than for the last
twelve months. Villages are springing
up in scores of favorable locations, and
the forests, that have for centuries scarce
ly known the presence of white man,
resound in every direction with the vigor-
Gus strokes Of the hardy pioneers axe,
and the log cottage, with its ten thousand
comforts, and fields under the most sue
cessful culture, are rapidly taking the
place of the Indian campfire and his lit
tie plat of half-tiIled corn amid the CIR
died trees Of some choice spot in the pri-
meval forest.
To one travelling to the northward of
us, the march of improvement is surpris-
ing. The landless, attracted by the rich
ness of soil, salubrious climate, and ad-
vantages of position, are fockiug in from
all points to Muskegon, Newaygo, Oce-
ana, Mason, Traverse and other northern
counties, who will soon, by well directed
effort, be among our most prosperous citi-
zens. Yet still there is room, and no
doubt hundreds of others, were they
aware of their privileges under the Home
stead act, would not long defer visit to
the cream country of the West-northern
Michigan-seeking a home and finding a
most desirable one. The following are
some of the privileges that may be ac-
cepted and enjoyed under the Homestead
Act referred to:
Any person who is the head Of fami-
ly, or who has arrived at the age of twen-
ty-one years, and is citizen of the Unit
ed States, or who has fled his declaration
of intention to become such, and is loyal
to the government, and any person of
whatever age, who has rendered not less
than fourteen days service during actual
war in the army and navy of the United
States, are entitled to free homes. Proof
of these conditions is to be made before
the Register or Receiver of public lands
in the section where it is desired to make
the location. Any such person may take
up for the actual occupancy of himself
and family, as homestead, not more
than one hundred and sixty acres of pub
lie lands, valued at 1925 per acre, or
eighty acres, valued at s2,5 per acre, To-
Gated in one body, with the usual subdi-
visions of public surveys.
After the land is selected application
must be made to the Register or Receiv-
er of the District, with 80 to pay sur
vey and usual fees (about 81, TO the Re-
ceiver, who will administer the proper af-
fidavit and receipt the money. On pre-
senting these the Register will enter the
application.
Not less than five nor more than sew
en- years after entry of application, the
applicant must make proof by affidavit
aud two witnesses of residence on, or cul-
tivation of such homestead, for five sue
cessive years after the application, chat no
portion has been sold or otherwise parted
with, and that the applicant remains 10y
nj, when certificate of full ownership
deed will be granted by the Register, on
payment of the usual fees (about 81 the
deed may then be procured from Wash
ingtou, D. c., from the Department of
Agriculture.
In case of the death of the claimant
the widow or lawful heirs are entitled to
the homestead by completing the condl-
tons. Ifthe heirs are infant children il
may be sold for their benefit, but not for
any debt contracted before the patent was
granted. Any abandonment Of The home
stead, by the applicant, for more than six
months at time, forfeits the claim for