New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-04-24

The ex-soldiers OF st. Paul have
organized a society to be known as
the Soldiers Homestead Associ-
alton Of Minnesota - The object Of
the association is to obtain and fur
nish reliable information to ex-sol-
diers and seamen Of the United
States army and navy, Of our own
State and elsewhere, IN regard to
good locations for homesteads III our
State, and such other information
pertaining thereto as may be desired;
and to furnish to nonresident ex-
soldiers and sailors, whenever opper-
Junity offers, reliable information as
to the superiority Of Minnesota as an
agricultural State
The committee appointed at a
previous meeting for the purpose Of
ascertaining all the requirements Of
the soldiers homestead law, neces-
sary to enable soldiers to act with
full information in ayai]ing them
selves of it's benefits, reported the
following:
Frst-Thc statements hereinafter made in regard
TO the law are derived from the authority Of the
general land office at Washington direct, and may
lie relied upon as being correct The soldier or sea-
man, may. either By agent or attorney, Chrougha
mower Of attorney OF personally, file his decl'ra
ton at the Land Office, to make homestead of anye
reserved to the extern, Of 100 acres by paying the
lsnd office fee of s.. The declaration will hold the
LAM six months; but within this time the soldier
llust file his application and affidavit OF service,
With certified copy Of his honorable discharge
IRON the army navy, and pay the additional fee
OF Sis, and personally! enter upon and commence
improvements on the land; he may file all papers
[ once, pay the fee OF $50, and commence his i'm
rovements at his option, completing thereby Il G
preliminary requirements Of the law. The nominal
expense OF making out the necessary papers and Of
t"annng the land is to be added, which OF course
will be light
Seconl-The time served in the army navy will
lie deductedafrom theve years residence, OF settle
ment required by the law but in no case will he re-
ceivc the patent for the land until he has resided
upon and improved it for period Of AT least one
tended meaning of the law is plain and decisive,
and will not permit evasions. The soldier must
enter upon the land in person, and make his n-
specified amount being required, and an absence
exceeding six months at any one time may forfeit
His rights. Yet it is evidently the policy OF the
government to protect the homesteader to the ex-
tent OF his evident good faith in making and min
I; lining his homestead At the expiration of the
titlcnce required, the soldier files an affidavit &C
SONS to the time OF residence, and extent OF i'm
provementS and pays the tncl fee Of s. at the land
office, making the total tees to the government o;
60, and receives his patent for the land
Third-The law provides that the lands shall net
be liable for the payment ofHny judgments obtained
ur debts incurred prior to the issuing o. tire patent
to the soldier.
Fou,tl->imilnr requirements and proofs, are rs
CURED in the case of soldiers W. low orphan
children taking a homestead. If the sol1ief MaI
killed died, discharged for disabil ty, le-
tore his term OF enlistment expired, the full term
for which he enlisted, Will be allowed to apply On
the time OF residence required on the land.
In addition Your committee beg to suggest th:t
each of us should use every effort to secure /. c
benefits OF the sol ers' homestead law, fer the via.
ows and orphans of our deceased fellow sol liers
many ofthem ignorant Of the law, and would
Te greatly benefited by avuilinS themselves oi its
provisions
we further suggest that it woulu be expedient t.
invite eX-sol 'iers throughout the State to hol>
meetings and form temporary organizations for the
purpose of comforting with for the object OF OBJ
tanning information as to good locations, goot
lands, railroad rates, and economy of expenses il
making locations, such information is mos
available at the capital o: the State. Railroad Of
ticias have informed that they are now doing al
they III the way of reduces; are for all new set
tiers and SHOULD cur movement result in getting
lau.nbe OF ex-soliiers toocate together very salts
factory special arrangements will he made
+. H. WooD, Chairman Committee