The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-08-22
Final Homestead Proof.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
GENrRAT. Lawn OEPICE
ukNkhaL 1IAND OLflCh. j
Washington. d. c., july IL, 1878,

UENERAL LAND OEFlCE. J
Washington, D. c., July II, 1878.
TO Registers and Receivers, United States
Land Offices.
GENTLEMEN Under the instructions
of the Honorable Secretary of the Inte-
rior,. dated January %, 1873, new forms
have been prepared for taking pre-emp.
ton and final homestead proof.
The principal change from the old
method of taking the proof, by the Sec
rotary, is, that hereafter the testimony
of the witnesses must be taken separate
ly by question and answer, and the
claimant will DO required to testify, az a
witness, in his own behalf IN the same
manner.
The printed forms, ten in number,
which will be mailed to you, are named
below, with such directions as are deem
ed necessary for your guidance, to wit ::
PRE-EMPTIoN PROoF.
Affidavit of claimant, required by sec
ton 1862 of the Revised Statutes. Tes-
timony of claimant, as a witness in his
own behalf, by questions and answers.
Testimony of witness by questions and
answers. The testimony of tro uitness-
eS, taken separately, should be required
in each case.
Certificate of the local land officers as
to the status of the land by their rec
Ords.
FINAL HOMESTEAD Poor.
Final affidavit of claimant, required by
section 229l, Revised Statues. Final
affidavit required of "adjo:ning farm
homestead" claimants by section 229l
Revised Statutes.
Testimony OF claimants, Ms witness
in his own behalf, by questions and
answers.
Testimony of witnesses by questions
and answers. The law requires the
proof of two witnesses in each case, and
you will require that the witnesses tes-
tify separately, AS indicated by the
forms.
Affidavit required Of claimant who
commutes his homestead entry under
section 230l of the Revised Statutes. In
combinations cases, besides this affida-
Siti the same forms are required TO be
used for taking the testimony of the
claimant and his witnesses as are pre-
scribed for taking ordinary final home
stead proof.
Pre-. emption- Homestead dffddrh.-ln
cases where presumption filings haye
been changed to homestead entries and
the parties come to make final proof,
claiming credit under the acts of March
3, 1877, and May. q, 1873 for the period
Of pre.emptIon settlement, this form OF
affidavit Is required, stating their qualifi-
cations as pre-emptors, covering the
period from date of presumption settle.
ment to date of change to homestead
entry. In these cases of final proof you
will require, in addition to this affidavit,
q final homestead and the final home.
stead testimony OF the cla,ment and
his witnesses, covering the entire period
of settlement and cultivation from date
of presumption settlement.
The forms named above for taking the |
testimony are intended for ordinary
proof; but in cases Of final proof in s1p- 1
port Of adjoining farm homestead en-.
tries, or final proof by the widow, heirs /
or devisee OF deceased homestead
party, or in case Of proof by the heirs Of
of deceased pre-emptor, the printed 1
forms for taking the testimony by ques-
tons, and answers should be changed to
suit the particular case or, if found nee
esssry, the questions and answers may
be written out entirely, following the
printed forms as guides in re-pec, to the
proof required to be made.
You will circulate copies Of these
orms, excep, the presumption affidavit
required to be made before you, and
,opies Of this circular, among such Of
iccrs IN your district A. are authorized by
aw or instructions to take final proof,
md thereafter, upon application, furnish
! limited number Of the forms 10 such
ulcers or the attorneys OF parties, to be
Ised in lien Of the old forms superseded
y these. :
In accordance with the Instructions Of 4