The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-12-21
DIGHTON, KANSAS.

1t is probably unknown to many
of your readers as to the Govern
ment lands in Western Kansas, the
way it is being taken by actual set
tiers, complying with the law, and
the amount a person is entitled to.
The land in Lane County is all ta-
ken, and very small portion of
Government land left. in the State.
Every person who is at the head of
a family, or over the age Of twenty
one years, and a citizen of the Uni
ted States, is entitled to ore Home
stead, one preemption. and one tim
her claim.
Or homestead a person is re-
quired to live on his claim five years,
continuous residence. and at the end
of the five years, by having certain
amount ofimprovements on the land,
can obtain title; or in other words,
u patent from Government. Or a
person can make final proof On q
homestead, by living on the land six
months, and pay $l.25 per acre for
it, which we call "commuting on q
homestead
On a preemption claim a person
must live six months continually,
and at the end of the required six
months residence, by having . GER
tain amount Of improvements on the
land, and paying the Government
price Sl.25 per acre for it, heca OBJ
tain title to the land.
And the other right to which a
citizen Of the United State is enti-
tlen, is the timber claim. On this a
person is not required to live, but
must comply strictly with the law,
putting the necessary improvements
thereon. At the end of eight years,
having 675 living trees on each of
ten acres. they can obtain patent.
When settler wishes to make
final proof in support of their claims
they must first advertise for five sue
cessiye issues In one of the County
papers, in which the land is situated.
After this is done the testimony of
claimant is written up, (he is also
cross examined and also testimony
of two witnesses, to prove claimants
continuous residence upon the land.
Then the proof is sent to Wa Kee-
ney, which is the U. S. land office for
this district, and if there accepted
by Hon. W. G. L. Beard, the regis
ter. it is sent to Washington, D. G.,
and a patent signed by Grover will
be forwarded to the claimant.
Many settlers In Lane County,
have an erroneous idea, Republicans
mostly, because it is Democratic
Administration that Hon. w. c. L.
Beard register OF the U. S. land Of
flee is too severe ON the settlers, but
our opinion differs, with them. We
think he discharges his duties ac-
cording to law. Were it not that
settlers complied with the law strict
II the spectators woald goblle up
the land and hold it for speculation,
when otherwise it will be cultivated
and improved by actual settlers.
Lane County is sure Of two rail-
roads next summer, land then will
double in value; sod houses will be
replaced by elegant frame buildings
farmers will have an opportunity to
ship their grain and stock to East.
ern markets. We will have two par.
allel lines of road running through
Dighton from East to West, giving
our farmers the benefit of low rates.
We have recently been back to
our old stamping grounds, El Dora
do, and can say for that beautiful
city that she is booming more than
ever. We met a great many cf our
old friends and acquaintances. We
took dinner (and very fire it was
with the Poggcnburg family fprmep.
| y Of Woodsiield. fhey have avery
nice, comfortable home, as nice as
any one need desire; and from all in
formation | could get, they like Kan
sas better than ever. We also yisi-
ted while there, Z. K. Morris and
family, Castles, and others from
Woodsiield, of which space does not
permit me to make meltion. They
are ali doing we'll, and they think
(as is natural for everyone in Kan
sas they have the best town in sun
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