Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-09-05
The Land Laws.

There are several millions of acres of public land
yet remaining in this district, subject to entry. Much
Of this land is the very best quality for agricultural
purposes, while there is a vast area that experience
has shown to he the very best grazing land in the
west. A party intending to locate a claim should
either make personal inspection of the land he intends
to enter. OF have the report of some trusted friend who
has made personal inspection of the land. After an
entry has once been made, even if it is found to be
worthless, it is very difficult and in most instances inn
possible to obtain the privilege of maxim: another
entry.
The public lands in this Territory are subject to
entry under the homestead, presumption and timber
culture laws. One hundred and sixty acres can be en-.
tered under each law. A party can make a homestead
anu timber culture entry, or a presumption and timber
culture entry, at the same time but he cannot take a
homestead anu presumption claim ut the same time,
A party who is twenty one years of age, or who is at
the head of a family can make an entry of puplic land.
A woman who is the head of a family, ol a single
woman VINO is over twenty-onc years of age can make
entry of public land.
Only those persons who are native born citizens OF
.he United States, or who have declared their intention
70 necome citizens can avail thens ,lves of the privilege
Of the land laws. No person of foreign birth can os
tam any right to land by actual settlement before he
has declared his intention to become a citizen. hence
the first thing that a person of foreign birth who in.
tends to enter public lands, should do unon hs arrival
Is to go before the Clerk of the court and declare Ills in
OF $50 acres of land in any State or Territory can take
a presumption claim; neither can any person who leaves
lana OF MS own in this Territory to go upon the public
iana ot'a1n any pre-emption right by settlement.
Ownership to land is no bar to making a homestead
entry, To make a legal presumption claim, a party
should first make actual settlement upon the land and
then within ninety days from such settlement. he
should file his decla,atory statement in the local land
oihce. a filing made without prior settlement is null
anu Ioid ana ccnfers no right upon the settler, and even
ifhe has valuable improvements and has been an ac,mai
resident upon the land his claim is subject to forfeiture
IN the presence ofan adverse claim, or even when there
Is no adverse claim. Hence, no party should file o do.
claratory statement for land until after he has made an
actual settlement upon the same. The law allows
ninety days from settlement in which to file, and the
lnTtV'Sr lIrif dates n u Sp,r IS "a. - -.
from the time of filing.
a party can obtain a legal right to one hundred and
iS.s acres Under the redemption law prior to the sur
Wy OF sad tract by making settlement upon the same
IN making settlement upon unsurveycd land the oct.
TIER should 1irst designate the tract claimed by him by
well deflned land marks. If this is done the RIGHT Of n
subsequent settler upon the same tract will he suhiect
to the right of the first settler. The right of n settler
dates from the date of his settlement ulon the land.
ana ne Is allowed ninety days after the ,pwnsl,ip Mai
lis fiicd III the local land Office in wl,icl, to file his IRE.
eihlh'on dccl"ratHry statement. After an actual resi-
dencc oi xix months ul"'n land a settler can make NAV.
ihelt Tor the same 1T as per acre. He can make
payment for the land at any time within a period of
thirty three months from the date Of settlement after
showing a continuous residence upon the land for six
months prior 10 the date of making proof, OF course
payment cannot be made for land until after it is sur
Nese" anu comes INTO market. i party possessing the
SUM- 'eSai lua'lhcati"n az Il presumption claimant ran
nuii'ifc'' ami sixty acres under the homestead
law. unier the presumption law Ii party acuuir,s his
r'sit by actual settlement: under tho homestead lava
party can gain an actual right .v maxi ing an rntrv at
The local land office. and then lie is allowed six months
rom tlhat date i'll which to make his actual settlement
anu fs!i''iish his residence. \ settler can MAKE nav.
ment Tor his land at % per acre after six months CON
UNIONS Residence ana Improvement ogthc land. or ii he
CONTINUES ms residence for five years he can obtain title
10 Inc claim without payment. Payment at 81. 2. per
acre can he made for land at any time during five wears
from date OF entry, after six months residence next ure-
cecains the ln%incni. ii j, is shown that - party has
abandoned his laniio: a period Of six month, tic entry
is subject to forfeiture.
a party can take one hundred and sixty acres under
Inc timber cultGr" act. The requirements of Til, law
are mat the party Shall break five acres during the
hrst year from date Of entry; during the second wear no
must cultivate to crop or otherwise said five acres and
hrei'i' tive acres, more and the third year he must rlant
me first 1--WE acres to trees, seeds or cuttings, and culti-
waite The second five acres TO crop or otherwise. and the
fourth year the seronh fvc acres must be planted To
trees, seeds or cuttings.
After fulfilling The requirements Of the timber cul-
'nre law AS above stated. tn" claimant can make final
IIoVt al me eiM o; eight years ami acquire title to his
IRE" claim without pavement of 81 % nor acre. or any
sum, I" the government, Us is the requirement under
t,c homestead ana presumption laws. Under the tim
her-c'llture act only one tree claim can 10 taken in a
section