The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-04-11

HUBgHSTBADS ron oo1.nURs.
The following is the full text of the
Soldiers Homestead bill AZ It passed
both houses Of Congress. A large
number Of our readers will find it in
teresting:
| Be 1t tessdcec1, de-, That every private
soldier and officer who has served in
the army Of the United States during
the recent rebellion for ninety days or
more, and who was honorably dis
charged, and has remained loyal to the
Government, including the troops
mustered into the service of the United
States by virtue Of the third section OF
an act entitled an act making appro-
priations for completing the defcnces
Of Washington, and for other purpos-
es, approved February Ii, 1862, and
every seaman, marine, and Of
ficer, who has served in the navy Of the
United States, or the marine corps du-
ring the rebellion for ninety daya, and
who was hOnOrably discharged. and
has remained loyal to the Government,
shall, in compliance with the provis-
ions Of an act entitled "An act to se-
cure homesteads to actual settlers on
the public domain and the act amen-
datory thereof, as hereinafter modified,
be entitled TO enter upon and receive
patents for . quantity Of public lands
(not mineral) not exceeding one hund-
red and sixty acres, or 0ne-quarter sec
ton, to be taken in compact form. ac-
cording to legal subdivisions, inclu-
ding the alternate reserved section of
public lands along the line Of any rail-
road or other public work, not other
wise 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 loca-
ting his homestead within which TO
commence his settlement and improve
lnent and provided also that the time
which the homestead settler have SER
we'd In the army, navy, or marine corps
aforesaid shall be deducted from the
time heretofore required to perfect the
title or if discharged on sccount of
wounds received or disability incurred
in the line of duty, then the term Of en-
listment shall be deducted from the
time heretofore required to perfect the
title, without reference to the length Of
time he may have served: provided,
however, that no patent shall issue to
any homestead settler who has not re-
sided upon, improved and cultivated
his said homestead for period Of at
least one year after he shall commence
his improvements as aforesaid.
SIC. 2. That any person entitled
under the prQyisions of the foregoing
hectiUn 70 enter y homestead, who may
have heretofore entered under the
Homestead laws : quantity ef land less
than one hundred and sixty acres, shall
be permitted to enter under the provis-
ions Of this act SO much land, as when
added to the quantity previously en-
tered, shall not exceed one hundred
and sixty acres.
SEC. 3. That in case of the death Of
any person who would be entitled to
homestead under the provisions of the
first nction Of this act, his widow. If
unn -ried, or i'm case other death or
marriage, then his minor orphan chill
dren, by guardian duly appointed
and OlHcfa7y a6ceptcd nj the hcpart-
inent of the Interior, shall be entitled
to all the benefits enumerated in this
act, provided that il such person died
during his term of enlistment. the
whole term of enlistment shall be de-
Quoted from the time heretofore re-
quired to perfect the title.
SEC. 4. That where a party. at the
date Of his entry of tract of land un-
der the homestead laws, or subsequent
1u ftxnvsuxsa zoe ockna1l,r c,,JsS<cI a,,I
employed in the army or navy of the
United States, his services therein
shall, in the administration of said
homestead laws, be construed to be
equivalent to all intents and purposes
to residence for the same length of
time upon the tracts so entered. provi-
ded that il 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 not been disposed OF, his en-
try shall be reserved and confirmed. !:
and provided further, that il such tract
has been disposed of, said party may
enter another tract subject to entry un-
der said laws, and his right for a
| patent therefor, shall be determined by
the proofs touching his residence and
cultivation of the first tract, aud his
absence therefrom in such service. !.
SEC. 5. That any soldier, sailor,
marine, officer. or other person coming
within the provisions of this act, may
as well BY an ageYk as in person enter
upon said homektead, provided that
said clain1Ant~i6 person shall within
the time pescribed commence settle
ment and Improvements on the same,
and therealker fulfil all the require
ments i'm this act.
SEC. 6. That the Commissioner OF
the General Land Office shall have
authority to make all needhil rules and
regulations to carry into effect the pro-
visions of this act.