The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-05-25
SETTLING ON PUBLIC LANDS.
In general answers to many special in
,u;ries. we state the following facts:

In general answers to many special in
quiries, we state the following facts:
1. The larger portion of the unim-
nroyed uncultivated soil of the United
States, including nearly all that of the
States of Nebraska, Nevada and Oregon,
as also of all the Territories, is still the
property of the Federal Union, and is
known as the Public Domain
2 While much of this Domain is
sterile, rocky. mountainous, and thus I'M
Sit for cultivation, a LARGE proportion is
facile and excellent, in ding thousands
Of square miles which, being treeless and
very thinly grassed, have been account
ed desert, but which prove quite pro-
ductive when reclaimed by irrigation.
3. As a general rule, any part Of this
Domain not already granted to our occu-
pied by private owners IS open to settle
ment by any one He who ''squats'' on
tract to which he has nc title is regard
ed as holding it by Peenlption. He is
of course liable to be, but seldom is, dis
possessed by bona .tiele purchaser.
f. The Government proffers quarter
section (160 acres) to any one who set
ties upon tract to which no adverse title
or claim exists. erectS a habitation. and
lives OH it for five years. He has to pay
for the papers and legal formalities re-
ouired about $40 in all. This is called
making Homestead.
5. Congress has from time to time
made extensive grants of land to States
and companies in aid Of the construction
of Railroads through the public domain.
These grants are usually of alternate sec
tons Cor square miles, for certain dis
lance on either side Of the projected Rail-
road.
6. The alternate sections reserved by
the Government are doubled in price :;
and he who settles on these and proceeds
to acquire home under the Homestead
act is allowed but eighty Instead of the
usual ore hundred and sixty acres.
7. The general price of the Public
Lands is 81, 25 per acre, or 5000 for 100
acres. The alternate sections reserved
by the Government along the lines of
Railroads are held at double price, or
$23 per acre.
s. The Railroad Companies generally
! charge more for their alternate sections !;
but, as the Government land is held
at $23 per acre, and eighty acres of it
may be acquired by settlement for less
than $50, the Governments s sections are
likely to have the preference.
9. 1t is decidedly advisable that those
who have means should bug their lands,
either of the Government or the Rail
roads. 1t precludes all controversy as to
the due performance Of the Homestead
requirements, gives an instant and per-
feet title, and enables the owner to sell
and convey, go and come, lease or rent,
without peril of creating an adverse title
or invalidatiug his own.
10. College Scrip is extensively used
in purchasing by those who wish to econ
omize. Congress, ten years or more ago,
granted to each State quantum of Pub
lie Lands proportional to it's representa-
ton in that body, in aid of Education in
Agriculture and the Useful Arts. Col
| lege Scrip represents these grants, and is
generally procurable by settlers at 81
per acre. In large quantities, it is sold
sometimes lower. A warrant or scrip
calling for quarter section will buy 16C
acres; but it will not buy 80 acres of the
reserved alternate sections along line OF
railroad OF these reserved sections, 16C
acres can be bought in one tract with
| 5000 in cash and one 16O acre warrant OIL
scrip. With this exception, preemptors
can always use College Scrip in paying
| Tor Government mot Railroad Com
pany's) lands; but spectators who buy
or hold scrip in large quantities are not
] allowed to locate more than three sec
tons Tor square miles, of that scrip in
any one township. This is to prevent
the monopolizing Of large tracts by
means Of scrip. With cash, any quaint
ty may be purchased of the Governmental
the foregoing rates.
IL. No one can legally locate, wheth-
err with cash or scrip, a quarter section
actually in the possession, by legal occu'
pancy and residence, of a settler, though
he has not paid and does not mean to
pay for it. But this principle does not
apply to the alternate sections granted tc
Railroads. which do not recognize Pre-
emptions.
y. A quarter-section ofPublic Lands
is not necessarily a regular quarter Of
some designated section, but may be
made up of two eighties or four fortles
forming one compact body, though those
were parts of different manifestations
| technically considered.
Such is the substance of the laws
and regulations governing the acquisi-
| ton of Public Lands by individuals, as
we understand them. We trust this
compilation answers most of the ques
tons addressed to us whereto we are un-
| able TO give sDecial replies.-N. Y. Iri-