The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-10-23
LAND OFFICE MATTERS.

We learn at the local land Office that
many ofthe papers(e specially the proofs!
presented there arc rejected on account
of defects which would inevitably result
in suspensions of entries by the general
land Office if permitted to pass. This is
partly due to recent amendments 10 the
laws and rulings there under, and es-
pecially the act of March Sd, 1879, re-
quiring all who intend to make and
submit proof, and enter their claims, to
publish notices of their intentions to
submit proof. With . view to guard
ing, as far rs possible, against defective
proofs in the future, we are furnished
with the following brief rules, which, if
carefully followed. will save much
trouble, not only to the settlers, but to
the officers themselves:
Be very careful, in selecting your land, to
get the exact description, and when selected
see, by personal inspection, that they are prop
erly noted on your applications or declaratory
statements, and in your applications for mo-
tees Of intention to make proof.
Be particular to see that an exact copy Of
the notice is published in the paper designa-
ted. II name is wrongly spelled, or y de-
scription is incorrect, the proof is liable to
be rejected. Sometimes the addition, omis-
sion or substitution Of single letter in q
name 70 materially changes it rs to make the
notice worthless.
DO not make your proof in any particular
until after the expiration Of thirty days from
the date Of the first publication OF the notice.
Remember that it only requires twenty-eight
days to publish notice five times in q week
iy newspaper, and that proof dated earlier
than two days after the fifth publication will
not be accepted.
No other witnesses than those advertised
will be accepted. 1t will therefore be polite
to advertise more than two names, SO that Il
one should die, or remove from the country
there will still be two advertised witnesses
len.
When presenting proof be particular to
furnish with II the publishers 'pr00f of pub
Iication'', and, as before intimsted, be sure
that the notice attached to the publishers
affidavit is an exact copy CT that furnished by
the Register. See that the printer ''reads
his proof by copy.
BE particular to see that the subscribing
officers seal is attached, and the jurats prop
erly dated.
Recent instructions from the Commission
er of the General Land Office reqnire the
local officers to reject the testimony of per-
sons who are members OF or Immediately con-
nected with tue family Of claimant, except
in eases where il is impossible or impractica-
bic for the claimant to furnish other testimo-
ny, in which ease he is required to furnish
his affidavit to that effect, which affidavit
must be attached to and become part Of the
proof.
Claimants are required to sign their first
names in full, and in cases where only their
initials appear in their filings or original en-
tries they are required, either in their pre-
emption or homestead aftidavits, or By sup
elemental afiidavits, to show that they are
the identical persons to whom the filings or
original entry receipts were issued.
Pre-cmptOrs may have the testimony OF
their witnesses taken before any officer with
a seal in their district, but must themselves
appear at the land Office, and there suscribe
and swear to their own affidavits and testi-
mony.
Final homestead claimants may have their
testimony taken before the Judge Of Court
Of Record, or in his absence the Clerk, in the
county in which the land is located. Ii taken
before the Clerk he must certify that the
Judge is absent. The affidayits and all the
testimony must be subscribed and sworn to
before one officer.
Witnesses for homestead claimants must
have been acquainted with the applicant and
the land at least as far hack as within six
roa " aMs aat en 81 I've bn
this.
mol,es.eau c.'' s Is, WHO pernit more
nal entries to expire before presenting their
l;om ,ro ,h a"u w tho eperd .,
Equitable Adjudication,
the Sas No, 1n,v , romn e. With the
requirements of law in the matter OF resi-
.,a, e'ei ms .ustHn! ssJu,u eApHcy
give the reasons.
,,ii e ans " nS, wse,"u. .r qa ''u "n
right. The same applies to homestead and
''' ~, ..a. uno " ',,, h r,.a
(by di.intcrested party at least thirty days
ueore t,e Ga! ., irla,, Gr II seu.eu " pmna
be made at least thirty days before day Of
am. ,ne la..s rs maa , t,e ;nn,;,,,
ton OF the contest or on the day of trial, that
"e 70 "'.''c " s''u'e pe'Sona' se'',
" s'ie' a'on,io. 10 pau ~ 'Ae ior =,
so'"s 'u'e' '""oi '''''e anu cAPensc Ii,
Vt s''e' W se''iers' anu s1ca' oea. Vi
'eJoe''on vi P'oo'' Is no'' "'"''ei' "'e
a'onc 10 .ne passase Vi ne" ia"s' anu
'he es'api's"l'ieh' Oh ne" ru'es' a
"'''c' greater proportion Is u"e
" carc'essness III p"p''s"lns ho'''es
anu pfepasihS proof IL canlo''
therefore, nc 100 strongly ursed that
ciaii'iah's sio"iu eiipio! OH! coupe
and that by personal inspection they
see that exact copies of the notices are
published. In the multiplicity of their
business and the constant mutation in
the laws and rulings, the local officers
are themselves liable to make mistakes