The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1865-03-25
Farmers' & Ranchemen's Me etin r.

The following are the proceedings of
meeting of the Farmers and Ranchemen of
Upper Deer Lodge Valley, held at Jones'
Rancho, February IL, 1865:
PREAMBLE.
WHEREAS, By an act of the Legislature
of Montana Territory, recognizing the Gus
toms and regulations previously existing rs
the law governing land claims or ranches,
in valley or neighborhood, we, the set
tiers of Upper Deer Lodge Valley have this,
the 18th day of February 1865, assembled
in pursuance of public notice at jones'
Rancho to reduce TO writing, reafirm and
give publicity to said customs and regula-
tions; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That stake and foundation hold
thirty days.
Resolved, That stalking consists of one or
more stakes stuck at one or more corners
of his claim; which stake must bear the
date of the pre-emption and description
of lines designating metes and bounds of
his claim.
Resolved, That foundation consists of
four logs notched and saddled ready for
building thereon.
Resolved, That at the expiration of thirty
days, work must be resumed by the claim
ant and not more than ten OU) days must
elapse at any one time, without represen-
tation by work, until cabin or house, or
the amount of one hundred and fifty dol
lars ($l50) worth of work has been COM
pleted; when this has been done, it holds
good the claimant, without representation,
for the period of six months after vacation.
ReSoired, That the stakes are no longer
essential after house or cabin is completed, /,
or the amount of one hundred and fifty
dollars ($l50) worth of work has been done.
Resolved, That claims may be represent
ed either in person or by proxy.
ReSolred, That any person may use the
water of any branch or creek. for farming
tlaFposeo. but must return it to che b. -"f
Tue branch or creek. fror, which it is taken,
1T the lower end of his claim if required to
dc so.
Resoiucd, That the right to carry water
through another claim in a ditch shall not
be denied any one. Said bitches must be
run so as to be least injurious to those
through which it passes, and said bitches
shall not be allowed to overflow. If anv
damage accrue, the owner or owners of the
bitches be held responsible.
ReSOfped, That after the customs Of stalk
ing and foundation are complied with, men
working in partnership can represent
one or more claims by work on one claim.
Resolved, That no person or persons shall
stake or claim lands for persons not actual
settlers of the valley.
Resolred, That the Goth day of March of
the present year, 1865, is designated. to
burn the grass off, and is limited to the Slst
of same month and year. Any parties
putting out fire in those days, for the pur-
pose of burning grass, if any damage ac-
crues, the burners shall not be held liable,
but if the burning be done thereafter, ten
days notice shall be given in three public
places.
Resolred, That nothing herein shall be so
construed as to conflict with any act or law
of the Territorial Legislature.
Resolred, That we do severally and COL
lectively pledge ourselves to support and
carry out the foregoing resolutions, and see
that every man has his tights under them.
Resolred, That the secretary of the meet
meeting send, with request to publish, to
the editor of the MONTANA Posr, the fore
going resolutions.
A true copy of the original.
JOSEPH ALLEN, President.
ALFRED GRAVES, Secretary.