Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-31
The Western ssBOOm.r

Some.months ago we spoke of the great
increase in railroad facilities, and how
aleng the lines of new roads that so their
way through or into hitherto unknown
regions the tide of emigrations flows. 1t
is probable that this building of new rail-
roads and rush of immigration is nowhere
better eIemplified than in Dakota.
Other portions of the west receive their
share of the current toward the west, but
because of the fertility of its soil and the
case with which railroads are there con-
structed it is likely that Dakota is this
summer perhaps the best illustration OF the
hdading up of new country with rapidity
and at the same time on solid foundation.
For It must always remain truc that a
GOOD soil is the best capital that any large
extent of country must have for perma-
nent prosperity. And the wheat growth Of
the Red River Valley, which lilies partly
in Dakota and partly in Minnesota. is said
IN he uurivalod in the world.
A part of this valley forms wide Dor
der to the greater of theieastern part of
Dakota, and in it are found places like
Fargo and Grand Forks which are eviden-
ces of both rapid and substantial growth.
Quite a number from this vicinity have
made their homes in Fargo or Grand
Forks and other of the Red River Valley
towns, and their stories Of the present,
coming and permanent prosperity OF the
region appear to be very fiattering, with
out showing any signs that anybody has
..lost bis head" In fact their prophecies
of success for that region are supplement
cd by something that has taken place with
in very few days, decision by Secretary
Teller Of the interior department.
The secretary decides that the claims OF
a couple of hundred Chippewa Indians to
a tract of land called the Turtle Mountain
region and containing some nine million
acres is invalid, and that the land in ques
ton shall be opened for occupation by the
usual processes. This land lies to the
northwest of Fargo, and of course nearer
to Grand Forks, which Is down (and down
is north there) the Red River some eighty
miles; and to the northwest of Grand
Forks as far as the Canada line. Mr.,
Spalding, of Fargo, when in Montpelier
last winter, said the decision as to the
status of this land was one very import
ant to the immediate prosperity of that
part of the territory. And indeed it must
take good deal of land to satisfy the I'M
migrants when they 60 in such numbers
as q gentleman from St. Johnsbury says
he saw them in at the St. Paul depot one
night-eight hundred awaiting transporta-
ton the next day.
In this connection the following sketch
of the process of getting public lands
which we find in late letter of Mr.,
futile, now of Grand Forks Ga place that
he has solid faith in Just as Mr.. Spaulding
has in Fargo, may DO of interest as show
ing chow they do it' when a lot Of new
land is to be changed from its wildness
into farms. Mr.. Tuttlo says that the man
who tries to get farm without money has
hard time of it, and that many who have
so tried have become discouraged and had
to give it up; but that where man has n
few hundred dollars to start with, that it
is Just the place for him, for he can buy
team and have money enough in due time
to "prove up" with and shortly own
very valuable and productive farm:
81 don't know as l have told you any.
thing about the manner of taking up the
government land, and perhaps it would be
interesting to know something about:
Each citizen or one who has declared his
intention to become citizen of the United
States has right to take up these quarter
sections of land; a homestead, pre-
emption and tree claim, but he cannot
hold the homestead and emption at
the same time. After deciding what
quarter section he wishes to apply for, the
applicant has his papers made out, goes to
the general land Office, presents his papers,
and if the land applied for is vacant pays
fourteen dollars in case Of homestead,
or two for presumption, and takes his
receipt; then, if be has filed on a home
stead he has six months to get on the land.
After six months residence on his claim
he is enabled to prove up sas it is call,
ed. This is done at the general land
Office on the payment of two hundred
dollars and his own testimony and that of
TIVE witnesses as to bis residence on his
land for the required time; then he re-
ceives his patent or deed from the
United States. He is then at liberty to
dispose of his land as he sees fit. A pre-
emption claim is very similar. The only
difference is that the man is expected to
be on the land before he makes his filing
and to stay there until final proof is made.
A tree claim requires no residence. The
only thing necessary is this: Break five
acres the first year; the second year put
the first five acres in crop and break an
ether five; the third year the first five
acres should be planted with trees, cut
tings or seeds, the second five be cropped
and at the end of four years the ten acres
should be in trees. These trees have to
be kept in good condition for eight years
from the time Of filing, when, if the con-
@ons are complied with, patent will
issue; and this is about all there is to tell
as to the taking of the governments land
a very simple matter in itself, but one
which, if tho regulations are not strictly
complied with will give rise to innumer-
able contests, conflicts of title, etc"
No trace yet of the Dublin assassins.
1t. Danenhower and three others from
Al. n.,;rol -, No,,, Norl- Co,