The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-08-15
The New Final Proof Questions.

The general land Office has short
ened and revised the questions asked
the claimant and witnesses i'll making
final proof on homesteads and pre-
emptions. Many unimportant and
harassing questions have been omit
ted entirely, there being now only
thirty-sev, n questions, where as form
erlv there were 1O3. This saves the
settler considerable expense and an
noyancc. The following are the ques-
tons that will be used for homestead
proof henceforth:
FOR WITNESSES.
What is your name, age and post
Office address?
Are you well acquainted with the
claimant in this case and the land
embraced in this claim?
Is said tract within the limits OF
an incorporated town or selected
site for city or town, or used in any
way for trade or business?
State specifically the character OF
the land-whether il is timber,
prairie, grazing, farming, coal or min
eral land.
When did the claimant settle upon
the homestead and at what date did
he establish actual residence thereon?
Have claimant and family resided
continuously on the homestead since
they first established residents there
on? If settler is unmarried state the
fact.
For what period or periods has
the settler been absent from the land
since making settlement, and for
what purpose; and if temporarily alb
sent, did claimants family reside upon
and cultivate the land during said
absence?
How much of the homestead has
the settler cultivated and for how
many seasons did he raise crops
thereon?
What improvements are on the
land and what are their value?
Are there any indications of coal
salines, or mineral of any kind on
the homestead? Qf SO describe
what they are, and state whether
the land is more valuable for agricul-
tural than mineral purposes.)
Has the claimant mortgaged, sold
or contracted to sell any portion ol
said homestead?
Are you interested in this claim
and do you think the settler has acted
in good faith in perfecting this entry
FOR CLAIMANT
What is your name, age and post
Office address?
Are you IL native born citizen OIL
the United States, and if so, in what
state or territory were you born?
Are you the identical person who
made homestead entry No., at the
land Office on the-day Of,
1S-, and what is the true description
of the land now claimed by you.
When was your house built on the
land and when did you establish &C
tual residence therein? Describe
said house and other improvements
which you have placed on the land
giving total value thereof.
Of whom does your family consist
and have you and your family resided
continuously on the land since first
establishing residence thereon? q
unmarried, state the fact)
For what period or periods have
you been absent from the homestead
since. making settlement, and for
what purpose; and if temporarily
absent, did your family reside: upon
and cultivate the land during his
absence?
How much of the land have you
cultivated each season and for how
many seasons have you raised crops
thereon?
Is your present claim within the
limits of an incorporated town or Sc
lected site of IL city or town, or used
i'll any way for trade and business?
What is the character of the land!
Is it timber, mountainous, prairie
grazing or ordinary agricultural
land? State its kind and duality
and for what purpose is it most val
liable.
Are there any indications of coal
salines, or minerals of any kind on
the land? Qf SO, describe what the,
are, and state whether the land i.
more valuable for agricultural thar
for mineral purposes.)
Have You made any other home
stead entry? Of SO, describe the
same.)
Have you sold, conveyed or mort
gagged any portion of the land; and i
So, to whom and for what purpose?
Have you any personal propert,
Of any kind elsewhere than on thi.
claim? Qf so, describe the same
and state where the same is kept)