The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1872-04-18
sOLDIERs' IIOnEsTEADs.
Foil Text Of tho Soldiers Home
stoad law just enacted by Congress

stead law JUST enactco ny congress:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives Of the United States o.
America in Congress assembled, That ev'
cry private soldier and officer who has serv.
ed in the Army of the United States during
the recent rebellion for ninety days OF
more, whe was honorably discharged, and
has remained loyal to the Government, in
cludin the troops mustered into the SER
vice Of the United States by virtue Of the
third section Of an act entitled can 40
making appropriations for completing the
poses," approved February ID, 1882, and
every seaman, marine and officer who has
served in the Navy of'the United States,
or in the Marine Corps, during the rebell-
ion, for ninety days, and who has remained
loyal to the Government, shall on the com
pliance with the provisions Of an act en-
titled can act to secure homestesds to NC
tual settlers on public domain" and the
acts amendatory thereof, as hereinafter
modified, be entitled to eater upon and re-
ceive patents for q quantity Of public lands
(not mineral not exceeding one hundred
and sixty acres, or one quarter section, to
be taken in compact form according to le-
gal subdivisions, including the alternate
reserved sections Of 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: Pro-
oided, That said homestead settler sh all be
allowed six months after; locating his home
stead within which to commence his set.
Element and improvement: And provided
also, That the time which the homestead
settler shall have served in the Army,
Navy or Marine Corps shall be deducted
from the time heretofore required to per-
feet title, or if discharged on account of
wounds received, or disability incurred in
the line Of duty, and the term of enlist
ment shall be deducted from the time here.
tofore required to perfect title, without ref
erence to the length Of time he may have
served: Provided, however. That no pat
ent shall issue to any homestead settler
who has not resided upon, improved and
cultivated his said homestead for a period
of at least one year after he shall COM
mence his improvements as aforesaid.
Sec. 2. That any person entitled under
the foregoing section TO enter q homestead,
who may have heretofore entered under the
homestead laws quantity of land less
than one hundred and sixty acres, shall be
permitted to enter under the provisions of
this act so much land as, when added to
the quantity previously entered, shall not
exceed one hundred and sixty acres.
Sec. 8. That In case of the death of any
person who would be entitled to home
stead under provisions of the first section of
this act, his widow, if unmarried, or in case
OF her death or marriage, then bis minor
orphan children, by a guardian duly ap~
pointed aud officially accredited at the De-
partment Of the Interior, shall be entitled
to all the benefits enumerated in this act,
subject to ell the provisions as to settle
ment and improvements therein contained
Provided, That if such person died durir z
his term OF enlistment, the whole term Of
his enlistment shall be deducted from the
time heretofore required to perfect the
title.
Sec. 4. 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 and navy of the United States. his
services therein shall, in tho administra.
ton of said homestead laws, be construed
to be equivalent, to all intents and pur.
,ses, to a residence for the same length
Of time upon the tract so entered: Pro
Vided, That if his entry has been Cancelled
by reason of his absence from said tract
while in the military or naval service OF
the United States, and such tract has moi
been disposed Of, his entry shall be restor.
ed and confirmed: And provided further,
That if 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 cultiva
ton of the first tract, and his absence
theretrom in such service.
Sec. 5. That any soldier, sailor, marine,
officer, or any other persons coming within
the provisions Of this act may, as we'll by
al agent as in person, enter upon said
homestead: Provided, That said claimant
in person shall, within the time prescribed
commence settlement, and improvement.
on the some, aud thereafter fulfill all The
requirements of this act.
Sec, 6. That the Commissioner Of thu
General Land Office shall have authori,,
to make all needful rules and regulations tt
GARY into effect the provisions Of this act