Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1883-09-22
Important 70 Land Buyers.

officially.
Important 70 Land Buyers.
A. contemporary makes some valuable
suggestions to persons desiring to enter
land under the pre- enption, homestead
or timber culture acts. He says no man
should think Of making an entry with
out first seeing the land he desires to
enter--going over the land and cxamln-
ing tie corners The representations Of
OF persons already settled are to be re-
ceived with great caution. Much land
is kept out of the market bv the untrue
statements of settlers who wish to take
it themselves. As a settler cannot hold
pre- emp,ion and homestead az the
same time, he is often disposed to pre-
varicate about the condition Of the quar-
ter-section adjoining him which he
wishes TO take after he has proved up
on the claim he already holds. Or he
has friend or relation who is going to
take it when he gets ready. Frequently
there are honest errors in regard to the
numbers and description of land, which
involves the person fling or entering in
much trouble and expense.
The proper way for any person to pro-
ceed, who is not absolutely certain as to
the description Of the land he wants, is
70 90 to the land Office and gel a plat of
the township he wishes to locate in
The law Of last March compels the dis
trct land Office to furnish these plats
and fixes the fee, SO that all uncertainty
ami mistakes may be avoided and no
exorbtant charges made.
The land Office circular SAYS under the
section of the act Of March 3, 1888, au.
thorziug charge to be made for plats
or diagrams, the fees foi the same, as
hereby fixed as follows:
.vr q diagram showing entries
only .........................,..S l w
For township plat showing en-
tries, names of claimants, and
character Of entry ............... 2 90
For II township plat showing en-
tries, names ofclaimants, char
acter Of entry and number. 8 90
For a township plat showing en-
tries, names ofclaimants, char
ac:cr of entry, number and
date offiling or entry, together
with topography, etc........."". 90
Get plat and avoid mistakes. 1t Of
ten takes months, frequently years TO
correct u single mistake Of one figure in
an entry II is no business Of the land
officers to make out applications to enter
land, and when they do it that is simply
matter Of accommodation on their
part. They are not responsible for any
mistakes that may occur, or which you
by your misinformation may make. A
mistake in your entry involves the sub
sequent employment of "a lawyer, to heir
you correct il 1t may require two years
even with his help, TO yet the consent o.
the general land Office to amend your
filing or entry. BY that time the land
YOU want my be entered by some one
else and you have had all your trouble
and expense for nothing. and lost youl
land besides. Get plat and know
what you are about.
To correct an error IN land entry an
affidavit is required, setting forth in full
and with great particularly the nature
and cause and character of lie error
This must be corroborated by two dis
interested persons acquainted with the
facts. Then this must be endorsed anC
recommended by the land officers. Il
then goes to Washington and bides it,
time. 1t may be two years before yor
hear from it. In the meantime some
one else more cautious and better post
ed may have entered the land you want
Oct plat and save all this worriment
expense aud troutle and loss.
There is no business in which ths
truth of the eld adage, "a stitch in tim,
saves nine" and The more haste tho
less speed" is better illustrated thar
that Of entering government land. Fol
the want of knowledge and apprecia
ton Of this fact, occasionally settle
inds his house and improvements OF
another mans ranch or by the mistake
of one letter or figure he is living fort.
miles from the land he entered; or HI
| has double the amount of land he actu
ally wanted, because his quarter section
instead Of being the level and tillabl'
tract he wanted, stands on edge, and he
has an option as to which side Of th'
hill he will cultivate. Go slow but sure
and get plat.
| Advice 70 Mothers.
Are you disturbed at night and brok