The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-08-27
MILITARY LANDS.
They are to be Sold to the Thrifty
Settlers of the West.
where They Are and the Quality
and Size of the Tracts
Some Choice Ter.
ritOry.

WASHINGTON CITY, Aug. 27-The procla-
nation recently issued by the president car
ryng into effect the provisions of the act of
last session of congress to provide for the dis
position of abandoned and useless military
reservations simply designated the reserva-
uons to be sold and stated the terms of sale
An examination of the location, character,
and extent of the lands embraced in these
reservations shows that over 100000 acres
OF the best located and finest lands in the
public domain are thus thrown open to set
uement and purchase by the public. The
TACT that these sites were generally the finest
localities that could be found, well watered,
with rich pasturage, and heavily timbered,
will indicate their value The act, which is
regarded as one of the most important passed
by congress during the last session,
not only authorizes the sale of the
old abandoned military reservations, but
hereafter as fast as the government is ready
to abandon those now occupied the law al-
thorlzes their transfer at once to the land
Office and entry for sale to the public. The
list OF abandoned military reservations in
cludes Bois Blanc island, Mich with an area
OF y, l39 acres 1t is located near Fort Mack
inac in the straits. 1t embraces about half
the island. 1t has the most valuable
forest land, and was originally
used for supplying the post with fuel
and lumber. The government wharves
and docks have long since been washed
away or rotted down. For its size, it is
probably one of the most valuable tracts
to be surrendered to the march of civiliza-
ton.
E,hI. P,.fI NJ, e
76, 500 acres never occupied for military pur-
poses.
Camp Cady, California, embraces 1,562
acres of very valuable land.
Fort Crittenden, U tab, has an area of 93,-
7O3 acres, including the entire Cedar valley
Camp Crittenden, Arizona has an area of
3,27S acres.
Fort Fetterman, Wyoming, 77,4S0 acres;
Camp Goodwin, Arizona, $500 acres; old
Camp Grant, in the same territory, 203l
acres, and Fort Hartraff, 1882 acres Hot
Springs, Ark, has an az'ea of 5, 7S5 acres.
Camp Independence, California, established
in 1862, embraces 5, ,240 acres. At the break
ing out of hostilities with the Nez Perces
Joseph, Gen. Mcdowell broke up the
post. 1t consists of valuable buildings
put up at the cost of many thousands of dol
lars, and has two reservations of valuable
lands. The Northern Pacific railroad gives
speedy access to the country in which Camp
Independence is situated
The island in the Missouri river west of
Kansas City has fifty-five acres.
Fort Mcpherson, NAb., has 1900 acres of
the finest lands in that state. part of the
reservation has been set apart as national
cemetery.
Fort Randall d. T, has IN area of So 600
| acres, and has been garrlsoned since 1856.
The portion to be relinquished is in Charles
Mix county, north of the Missouri river.
Fort Rice, in the same territory, has been a
post since 1864 1t is on the west bank of the
Missouri, is twenty-five miles long, seven
miles wide, and has an area of l12,00O
acres In 1878 Gen. Sheridan said that
| it had fulfilled the object for which
| it was built and the troops were withdrawn
and quartered elsewhere. All the public
buildings and property were removed in
| 1850, and this extensive tract of territory,
| the choicest perhaps in Dakota is now to be
sold as desired by settlers.
| Rush Lake Village north, having been oc-
| Cupiel since the war, 5, l3l acres are now tC
| be transferred to the land office for disposal
Fort Sedwick, in Colorado and Nebraska,
will furnish 40, 960 acres for sale. Camp Sher.
| idan, i'll Nebraska, contain 1928 acres. II
was created to keep Red Cloud and Sitting
Bull quiet These tribes having gone to Rost
| Bud agency; the existence OF post there is nC
| longer necessary. Other once important
posts are Fort Verde Arizona territory, 5000
acres; Whipple Barracks, in the same terri
tory a timber reserve of 10 acres; For
Wilkins, on Lake Superior, in Michigan