The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-31
WinnebagO Trust Lands,
From the Mankato Record, s5th.

The Winnebago Trust Lands, now being
sold by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
by direction of the Secretary of the Inte-
rior and in accordance with the provisions
of the treaty of 1859, offer great induce
ments to settlers in Blue Earth county.
The Winnebago Indians having been re-
moved beyond the Missouri River, all the
lands in their late reservation, embracing
about nine townships, have been or are
now being sold under the direction of the
Indian Department. By the treaty stip.
ulations, the "trust lands "or western half
of the reservation, were to be disposed of
to the highest bidder, upon sealed bids,
invited by the Commissioner, by public
advertisement, at price not less than
$3.50 per acre. For the past year, the
Commissioner has been engaged in dispos-
ing of these lands. The plan of selling is
a new one with the land department, but
we think it has proved very successful
and satisfactory to the government, in
realizing the highest prices. And it GER
tainly has been of incalculable value to
the country in advancing settlement. By
this plan bids are invited for said lands
in tracts not to exceed one hundred and
sixty acres, and at not less than $3.50 Der
acre. Any person can, however, bid in sew
eral subdivisions at the same sale. This
has the effect to invite, in competition with
the moneyed spectators, all persons wishing
to purchase small tract for home-no
matter how small the government subdivi.
sion. The lands sold thus far have. in
great measure, gone into the hands of the
settlers and farmers intending to improve
them. Had they been offered to the high
est bidder, regardless of any restriction or
fixed price, spectators would have bid
upon large quantities at $1.25 per acre and
even less, and there being but few bona
fde settlers bidding, nearlp the whole lands
would have been sold to the former upon
the first sale. But by this system, specula.
tors do not purchase large tracts, and the
lands being advertised from time to time,
gives all immigrants An opportunity to
make bids.
The last sale, which closed this month,
having been advertised in the winter, when
it was impossible for strangers to examine
the lands, will necessarily be very light;
but the next sale, which will probably
close about the FIRST of July, will give all
immigrants ample opportunity to examine
and make their selections. There being a
great many good tracts remaining, in view
of heavy immigration this spring, the
next sale will probably take up large
share of the remaining lands, and that too
at somewhat increased prices.
By the treaty, it is left discretionary
with the Secretary of the Interior to reduce
the minimum price after the first of Janu-
airy, but this will hardly be done until the
best tracts are disposed of. There are as
good lands yet to be offered as have been
sold, and judging from the prerent pros
poets of heavy immigration, and the IA
voIaole time at which they will be adver-
tised, we hazard the prediction that the
next sale will be large one. The splen-
did opportunity thus afforded to immi-
grants to purchase homes in one of the
richest and most extensive agriculture dis
trict in the State, we seel confident, will
not be overlooked.