The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-03-16
Settling On Public Lands.

SettiiUS UH IuDIiC lanuS.
In general answer to many special in
quiyies, we state the following facts:
l. The larger portion of the unim-
proved, uncultlvated 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 Putlic Do
| main.
2 While much of this domain is
sterile, rocky, mountainous, and thus
unfit for cultivation, large proportion
is facile and excellent. including thou.
sands of square miles which, being
treeiess and very thinly grassed, have
been accounted desert, but which prove
quite productive when reclaimed by IT.
rigation.
3. As a general rule, any part of
this domain not already granted to or
occupied by private owners is open to
settlement by any one. He who
'squats" on a tract to which he has
no title is regarded as holding it by
Presumption. He is of course liable
TO be, but seldom is, dispossessed by
a bona fde purchaser.
4. The Government proffers quar-
ter section 160 acres) to any one who
settles upon tract to which no adverse
title or claim exists, erects habItation.
and lives on it for five years. He has
to pay for the papers and legal formah-
ties; requiring about $50 in all. This
IS called making Homestead.
s. Congress has from time to time
made extensive grants of land to states
and companies in aid of the construc-
ton of railroads through the public
domain. These graz s are usually of
alternate sections (or square miles) for
q certain distance on either side of the
projected railroad
6. The alternate sections reserved hv
the government are doubled In price ::
and he who settles on these and pro-
ceeds to acquire home under the
Homestead act is allowed but eightu
instead OF the usual $50 acres.
T. The general price of the public
lands is SIPS per acre, or $500 for 100
acres. The alternate sections reserved
by the government along the lines of
railroads are held at double price. or
$3.50 per acre.
s. The Railroad Companies generally
charge more for their alternate sec
tons; but, as the Government land is
held at - IL per acre. and eighty acres
of It may be acquired by aettlement for
less than $40, the Governments Sec
tions are likely to have the preference.
g. It IS decidedly advisable that
those who have means should buy their
lands, either of the Government or the
Railroads. 1t precludes all controver-
sy as to the due performance of the
homestead requirements, gives ali in
slant and perfect title, and enables the
owner to sell and convey, go and come,
lease or rent, without peril of creating
an adverse title or invalldating his own.
III. College Scrip is extensively used
IN purchasing by those who wish TO
economlze. Congress, ten years or more
ago, granted to each State a duantum
OF Public Lands proportioned to its
representation IN that body, in aid of
Education IN Agriculture and the Use
iul Arts. College Scrip represe ats
these grants, and is GENERALLY procur.
able by settlers at Il per acre. In large
quantities 1t is t.old somewhat lower.
= warrant !, or strip calling for quarter
seetion WIZ buy $50 acres; but it will
10. guy % acres of the reserved alter
"a 6a'o sections along line of railroad
~ these sections 160 acres can be
oought IN one tract with 5000 in cash
and one 160-acre warrant or scrip.
With this exception, pre-emptors
can always use College Scrip IN paying
for Government, mot Railroad Com
pany's) lands; but spectators who buy
or hold scrip IN large quantities are not
oil r.
tons Tor square miles, of that scrip in
any one township. This is to prevent
the monopohzing of large tracts by
means of scrip. With cash, any guam,
tity may be purchased of the Govern.
ment ut the foregoing rates.
IL. No one can legally locate, wheth-
er with cash or scrip, quarter section
actually in the possession, by legal oc
cupancy and residence, of settler
though he has not paid and does mo-
mean to pay for it. But this principle
does not apply to the alternate sections
granted to railroads, which do not re-
cognlze prescriptions.
II. A quarter section of Public
Lands is not necessarily regular GUAR
ter of some designated section, but
may be made up OF two eighties OF
four forties forming one compact body
though these were parts Of different
quarter sections technically considered
Such is the substance of the laws an6
regulations governing the acquisition
OF public lands by individuals, as we
understand them. We trust this com
pllatlon answers most of the questions
addressed to us whereto we are unable
to give special replies.