Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-04-25
Soldiers and Sailors Homestead Law.

Soldiers and Sailors Homestead Law.
The following is the full text Of the
Homestead law passed at the present
session of Congress
BE Il enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives. OF tie United States Of Ameri-
ca IN Congress assembled, That every private
soldier and officer who has served in the army
of the United States during the recent rebel
lion for ninety days, or more, and who was
honorably discharged. and has remained LOYAL
to the government including the troops mus
tered into the service OF the United States by
virtue Of the third section Of an act entitled
An act making appropriations for complet-
ing the defenses of Washington, and for 9TH
er purposes, approved February thirteenth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and every
seaman, marine, and officer who has served III
the navy of the United States, or in the ma
rine corps, dtuin the rebellion. for ninety
days, and who was honorably discharged, and
has remained loyal to the government, shall,
on compliance with the provisions Of an act
entitled /" An act to secure homes leads 10 ac-
tual settlers OF the public domain,
and the acts amendatory thereof, rs nera-
matter modified, be entitled 70 enter
upon and receive patents for quantity Of
public lands (not minera) not exceeding one
hundred and sixty acres or one quarter-sec
ton, to he taken in compact form according to
legal subdivisions, including the alternate re-
served sections of public lands along the line
of any other railroad or other public work, not
otherwise reserved or appropriated, and other
lands subject to entry under the homestead
laws of the United States ProUtded That
said homestead settler shall be allowed six
months after locating his homestead within
which to commence his settlement and inn
provement aud prOUjded 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 re-
CURED to perfect title, or if discharged on ac-
count OF wounds received, or disability in-
CURED in the line of duty, then the term of
enlistment shall be deducted from the time
heretofore required to perfect tue, without
reference to the length of time he may have
served: PTOUided, hOtrerer, That no patent
shall issue to any homestead settler who has
not resided upon, improved and cultivated his
said homestead for period OF at least one
year after he shall commence his improve
meuts as aforesaid
Sec. 2. That any person entitled under the
provisions of the foregoing section to enter
home, tead, whG RAY have heretofore entered
under lhc homestead laws quantity of land
less than one hundred aud sixty acres shall be
permitted to enter under the provisions of
this act much land as, when added to the
quantity previously entered shall not exceed
one hundred and sixty acres.
Sec 3. That in case of the death of any per-
son who would be entitled to a homestead uu-
der the provisions of the first section Of this
act his widow, If unmarried. or in case OF her
death or marriage, then his minor orphan
children, by a guardian duly appointed and
officially accredited at the Department of the
Interior, shall be entitled to all the benefits
enumerated in this act subject to all the pro-
visions as to settlement and improvements
therein contained: Prorided, That if such
person died during his term of enlistment, the
whole term of his enlistment shall be deduct
ed from the time heretofore required to per-
feet the title,
See. 2. That where party at the date of his
entry of a tract OF land under the homestead
laws, or subsequently thereto, was actually
enlisted and employed IN the army or navy of
the Tn ted States. his services therein shallin
the administration of said homestead law, be
construed to be equivalent to all iuteuts and
purposes, to a residence for the same length
of time upon the tract so entered: PrOrided,
That if his ent 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 not been disposed Of, his
entry shall be restored and confirmed And
progjded 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 residence and cultiya-
ton of the first tract. and his absence there
from in such service.
Sec 5. That any soldier, sailor, marine, Off
Ger. or other person coming within the plov-
slons of this act may, as well by an agent a.
in person, enter upon SAID homestead; Pro
rided. That said claimant in person shall,
within the time prescribed, commence settle
mepts and improvements ON the same, and
thereafter fulfill all the requirements OF this
act.
Sec. 6. That the Commissioner of the Gen
eral Land Office shall have authority so make
all needful rules and regulations to carry int
effect the provisions of this act
Approved April 4, 1872.