River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-30
How to get Free Farm in north Dakota.

AS We all know, the public land of
the United States is divided into land
districts. This land is surveyed and
plats of the separate townships are
made at the General Land Office,
Washington, and sent to the land office
of the particular district in which the
land may be. For instance, the land
office for the Devils Lake land district
in North Dakota is at the town of Dew
lis Lake, on the Devils Lake extension
of the st. P. NJ. & NJ. Ry. Here is a
Register who records the filings made
by the settlers, and keeps track of the
disposal of the different lands. The
Receive" takes charge of the moneys
paid for public lands, and is the auth
ority to whom proof Of settlement and
compliance with the land laws must
be made to secure a deed from the
Government, technically called "prOv-
ing up" lie also passes judgment on
contests made for noncompliance
with the requirements of the land laws.
In a district of purely agricultural
land, like that of Devils Lake, there
are three ways in which to secure a
home: by taking a Homestead, >
''pre-emption" or ''tree claim, loo
acres is the maximum amount that can
be 'filed" on in each case. A tree
claim and homestead, or a presumption
and tree claim, can be taken at the
same time, but presumption can not
be taken before homestead is proved
up" OF pice versa. The pre-emption
and homestead require residence to
secure title. Eight years is given in
which to raise ten acres Of trees on a
| 100 acre tree claim, when a deed will
| be given. Thus it will be seen that
ultimately 4S0 acres of the public do
| main can be secured under the opera
| ton of these laws.
Having shown the theoretical rights
of our citizens under the present laws,
we will show the way to apply them In
| practice. Thus, If person, tired of
| struggling for existence on the worn
and high priced lands of the East, de-
termines to come West and grow up
with the country, the first thing to
do on arrival will be to go to the
land Office and get plates of townships
| showing the quarter sections taken,
or still eligible for entry. These will
cost 81 each. With these he can pro-
coed to TIE locality they designate, and
by the aid of the figures on the section
stakes, which he can easily learn to
! read, can make his selection. The
settlers already on the ground are very
anxious to have neighbors, and will
often gratuitously assist in locating
the intending hOmeseekeT. The Selec-
ton made, the land Office is again visit
ed. where the Register will supply Off
cial blanks, on which the immigrant
will fiji out a description of the town
range. section and quarter, where his
selection may be, and make affidavit
of his intention to settle on the same
These are filed with the Register, and
the sum of sis 90 is paid, if the appli
cant decides to make it Homestead,
after which, at the expiration of five
years, the Government will give {
deed, without further expense, othel
than IS when final proof" is made
, Ii "A presumption, at "proving up,
SIPS per acre will be charged add
tional. In making entry of tires
claim" Sl4 will be paid when films
is made. and like sum at the date Of
final proof.
Bearing these facts in mind, there
is no necessity of requiring the servic
es OF Gland agents or "locators, ard
other expenses than those named, are
not necessary. The methods of pro
cedure, both in finding unentered lands
and in filling" on them, is very sim
ple. and with copy of the land Jaws,
, and the plats to be had at the land0ffice
the settler can easily make his OWE
, selections.-7RsF Farmer, ST. Paul.