The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-04-11
SOLDIERS, HOMESTEAD ACT.

SOLDIERS' HOMESTEAD ACT.
The following important act, which be.
came law by signature Of the President
on Thursday last, has not hitherto been
published in full Fen. -E, 5lass7.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
Of Representatives Of the United States Of
America in Congress assembled, That
every private soldier and officer who has
served in the army oi the United States
during the recent rebellion, for ninety
days or more, and who was honorably
discharged and has remained loyal TO the
government, including the troops muster
ed into the service. OF the United States
by virtue Of the third section Of an act,
entitled "An act making appropriations
for completing the defences OF Washing
ton, and for Other purposes" approved
February 13, 1862; and every seaman,
marine and officer who has served in the
navy Of the United States or in the ma
rine corps during the rebellion Tor ninety
days, and who was honorably discharged,
and has remained loyal to the govern
ment, shall, on compliance with the pro-
visions Of an act entitled can act
to secure homesteads to actual
settlers on the public domain" and
the acts amendatory thereof, hereinafter
modified, be entitled to enter upon and
receive patents tor quantity ofpublic
land mot mineraD, not exceeding one
hundred and sixty acres, or one quarter
section, TO be taken in compact form ac-
cOrding TO legal subdivisions. including
the alternate reserved sections OF public
lands along the line OF any railroad or
other public work, not otherwise reserved
or appropriated, and other lands subject
to entry under the homestead laws OF the
United States: Provided, That said
homestead settler shall be allowed six
months after locating his homestead with
in which to commence his settlement and
Improvement; and provided also, That
the time which the homestead settler
shall have served in the army, navy, or
marine corps, aforesaid, shall be deducted
from the time heretofore. required to per-
feet title, or II discharged on account Of
wounds received, or disability incurred
in the line OF duty, then the term ofenlist-
ment shall be deducted from the time
heretofore required to pefect title, without
reference to the length Of time he may
have served; provided, that no patent
shall issue to any homestead settler who
has not resided upon, improved and cul.
tivated his homestead for at least one
year after he shall commence his improve
ments as aforesaid.
SEC 2. That any person entitled under
the provisions Of the foregoing section to
enter homestead, who may have hereto.
fore entered under the homestead laws a
quantity OF land less than one hundred
and sixty acres, shall be permitted TO en-.
ter under the provisions Of this act so
much land as, when added to the quan.
tity previously entered, shall not exceed
one hundred and sixty acres.
SEC. 3. That In the case Of the death
of any person who would be entitled to a
homestead under tho provisions OF the
first section of this act, his widow, If un-
married, or in the case of her death or
marriage, then his minor orphan children,
BY, guardian duly appointed and official.
" accredited at the Department OF the
Interior, shall be entitled to all benefits
enumerated by this act, subject to all the
provisions as TO settlement and improve.
ment herein contained; provided, that II
such person died during his term of en-.
listment the whole term OF his enlistment
shall be deducted from the time hereto.
fore required to perfect the title. Il J
SEC. H. That where party at the date
Of his entry Of tract OF land, under the
homestead laws, or subsequently, thereto,
was actually enlisted and employed in
the army or navy OF the United States,
his service therein shall, in the admins.
tration Of said homestead laws, be con.
strued to be equivalent, to all intents and
purposes, to q residence for the same
length OF time upon the track so entered.
Provided, That II his entry has been can.
celled by reason Of his absence from said
tract while In the military or naval ser.
vice OF the United States, and such tract
has not been disposed Of, his entry shall
be restored and confirmed. And proyi.
ded further, That II such tract has been
DISPOSED Of, said party may enter another
tract subject TO entry under said laws
and his right to a patent therefor shall be
determined by the proofs touching his
residence and cultivation Of first tract
and his absence therefrom in such scr
vice. - :" -
SEC. 8. That any soldier, sailor, marine
officer, or other person, coming within
the provisions of this act, may as well by
an agent as in person enter upon said
homestead; provided, that the saldclaim.
ant in person shall, within the time pre-.
scribed, commence settlement and i'm.
provements on the same, and thereafter
fulfill all the requirements Of this act.
SIC. @, That the Commissioner OF the
General Land Office shall have authority
to make all needful rules and regulations
to carry into effect the provisions OF this