The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-04-09
The Homestead Law.

Denent many IN taxing up homes under
the Homestead Law, as taken from the
Francisco Morning Call. 1t simplifes
that subject so as to bring it within the
reach of all.
|. What is homestead
1t is farm given to any man or wo-
man who lives on it, and cultivates it
for five years We say "given," for the
charges are only about ten cents per acre
that is, the cost of surveying and re-
cording, amounting in all, for onc-fourth
Of square mile, 10 SIS at most, and S4
of this sum are not payable for five
years.
2. How large farm is homestead ?
l. is a farm of l60 acres, except on
tracts one.half of which has been granted
in aid of railroads or other public i'm
provements. On such tracts the home
stead is of no more than half the usual
size, unless the homesteader has served at
least ninety days as soldier. In that
case his homestead is quarter section
anywhere,
3. Who may become homesteader
Any man or any woman--that is, any
native of legal age, and any foreigner
who has declared his intention to become
a citizen, which any immigrant may DO
on the very day he lands in America.
4. How does he become homestead
err
He goes to any United States land Of
fee, and there has free access to maps
showing all the vacant lots in the neigh
boring region. He then goes and picks
out the one he likes best, returns to the
land office, makes an application accord.
ing to the legal forms furnished by the
officer, there, for that lot is homestead,
leaves those forms for record, pays at
most fourteen dollars, and is henceforth
monarch Of all he surveys on the farm of
his choice. But homesteader is not
obliged to 90 in person TO the Govern
ment Land Office. In most cases he can
ascertain from local land agents or resi-
dents, what land are vacant, and then
make bis application for the homestead he
wishes to occupy, before the clerk of the
court in the county where it lies, sending
with an affidavit, with his reason for not
appearing in person.
D. How soon must a homesteader be-
gin to occupy his land ?
Al any time within six months after
his application is put on record, and he
may journey away from his land at will
if not absent more than half a year at
once, and provided that he fixes his resi-.
dence nowhere else.
6. Can homesteader become full
owner of his farm sooner than at the end
of five years?
Yes; after SIX months residence, he
can, at any time, purchase his land by
p paying the Government price, the max.
imum of which is 50 80, and the minim.
UNI half that sum per acre.
T. What if the homcsteader i. in
debt
His homestead is exempt from liability
for any debt contracted previous to his
pcriecting his claim to the land and, in
some States, it is not liable to attachment
for any subsequent debt.
3. How Is ,ull title finally obtained !
After a homesteader has resided on
his land, and titled it for five years. if at
any time within two years he proves that
fact to the Register Of the Land Office
where his application was recorded, that
officer will obtain for aim from Washing
ton a full title 90 his land, charging hin
only fee of 81.
, y. Is not one man rs good as another
. Yes" said an irishman, "and a grea
+ deal better SO our last Congress en-
acted that every soldier is equal to two
other men. The act was approved b,
Gen. Grant, July 10, 1870. 1t prove
+ that every person who has served loyally
] for ninety days in the national army OF
navy is entitled, on the terms above ex
planned, "to enter and receive paten
: for one whole quarter section of land"-
Q that is, l60 acres-where other men cal
: only enter so, ''of the alternate reseruet
e sections along the lines of any of the rail
h roads wherever any public lands hav
, been granted by acts Of Congress" Ii
a order to gain these privileges, the soldie
, must pursue the same routine and pa,
! the same fees as if he were civilian
G but he gets twice as much land