Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-10-12
Soldiers HOmesteads---A Mistaken
Idea--.Letter from Kansas.


HUMBOLDT, KAN, October l., 1870.
EDITOR CHRONICLE: During nv late
visit TO Ohio, I had the good fortune to
meet many Of my soldier acquaintance,
scarcely n Of whom did not entertain
the mistaken idea that any one who had
served ninety days in the army and been
honorably discharged, could obtain a
quarter section Of land, without perma-
nent settlement and cultivation, and only
at the expense of the Register and Re
c~eiver's fees, some ten or twelve dollars.
These lands, the soldiers said, might
even be selected within railroad limits,
which is to say that the land already
given to railroads by the government
may be taken away and given to sol
diers. I assured them that they were
mistaken, but did not succeed in con-
vincing them Of the fact.
The following, published by authority
in the State papers, will explain the
whole matter:
I. The late law does not materially
change the old law, except in one par
ticular, which is that under the old aw
no person can TAX as a homestead OF
more than eighty acres within railroad
limits, or on lands at the maximum
value of $3.50 per acre; while under the
new law persons who served ninety
days in the late war and have an honor
able discharge, can homestead one hun
bred and sixty acres by paying the usual
Office fees. 1t gives to no one the privi-
lege Of demonstrating lands granted TO
railroad companies, but simply the alter
nate sections, upon which soldiers are
allowed 70 homestead one hundred and
sixty acres and civilians only eighty
acres.
.. The privileges Of this law do not
extend to the Cherokee neutral nor the
Usage lands. The provisions of the trea-
ties by which those lands were secured.
expressly prohibit hOmesteads thereon.
We have nothing to do with the disposal
Of the Cherokee neutral lands, and only
have authority 70 dispose of the Usage
lands mot granted TO railroad cOmpanies)
to actual settlers, for Sl.25 per acre nl
cash.
To make the matter palmer to those
who do not clearly understand The land
laws, I will say hat there are two ways
of procuring government land, viz
pre- empting and homesteading. The
former noes not apply to lands within
railroad limits. Under the homestead
act, only eighty acres can be procured
within railroad limits which must be
taken on the even-numbered sections.
Should the settler wish to procure a title
to his land before the end Of the five
years residence, which would give it to
him foI nothing, he may, after the lapse
Of six months and permanent residence
and improvement, procure title for his
eighty acres by paying $3.50 per acre.
Outside Of railroad limits he can procure
one hundred and sixty acres, and should
he wish to buy it before the end Of the
five years, he can do so at SI.25 per acre.
The only material difference there is in
the new law is that a soldier may home
stead one hundred and sixty acres within
railroad limits, while a citizen may only
homestead eighty acres.
Pre-empting must be done outside of
railroad limits. 1t requires settlement
Of six months and permanent improve
ment, after which the land may be en-
tered and paid for at the rate Of SIPS per
acre. Civilians have as many rights as
soldiers on these lands.
The truth Of the matter is that the new
law amounts to nothing, and was proba-
bly, gotten up for buneombe by some one
who knows but little Of the government
lands. II would be like searching a hay
stack for a needle to look for an unoc-
cupied quarter section on an aver sec
ton within railroad limits. The most of
such land has been settled for years.
But there is plenty Of land in Kansas
for all corners. The Usage diminished
reserve, a tract comprising eight millions
Of acres, will be thrown into the market
in about a year, and is now being settled
very rapidly. These lands are equaIIed
by few and excelled by none in the
west
On my return L found Humboldt as
lively as ever, and noticed with graft
fcation the numerous improvements
made during the short time of my ab-
M The Leayenworth, Lawrence &
Galveston railroad is finished to within
sixteen miles Of this place, and is being
built at the rate of one mile per day.
The grading, bridging, &c, is finished to
Humboldt, and the road is ready for the
ties and iron. The first of last week the
surveyors commenced work on the Fort
Scott & Allen County railroad, from Fort
Scott to this place, and the work is to be
pushed vigorously. Tho prospects are
that the road will be finished within one
year, giving US three railroads, and that
Humboldt will be the most important
point in the Neosho valley, the richest
and most fertile valley in Kansas.
Should any of your readers visit our
State, they should not fail to give our
city at least a passing glance.
Yours, &c, T. c. SHERMAN.