The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-17
SATURDAY, JANUARY II, 1891.
ROLFE

The settlers of .he "kibbey country
have exhibited wonderful endurance In
waiting for surveys in that section, and
after the surveys $50 called were made
In waiting for their acceptance and ap
prevail by the surveyor general. Recent
ly a petition signed by forty settlers was
sent to Surveyor General Eaton asking
for an approval of the surveys made last
summer or that the work be done over
again. The following reply OF Gen.
Eaton is to the point and lays the blame
where it properly belongs. The surveys
made by L. 5. Deputy Rolfe were found
to he deficient in many respects and it
was found necessary to send u special
examiner to report upon them. There
were so many errors that the latter has
not yet been able to report, and jrst now
there is no telling when the surveys will
be- accepted. The communication of
Gen. Eaton is of efficient interest to
bear publication in full. 1t is as follows:
OFFICE OF TIE L. S. SURVEYOR GEN'l.
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MbN1ANA.
HELENA, Mont, Dec. q, 1890. J
MR. OSCAR English, Klbbey, Montana:
SIR:-l am IN receipt OF a petition
from Mr.. James Entwisle and forty Others
Gncluding vourseli), asking that the sur
veys made by L S. Deputy R"lte IN Gas
cade county, receive an carly eXamlna'
ton, and be accepted US soon MS possible
or that another survey be ordered, n
aqua nf tho natitinparS ha va hppn spVprn
years on their lands.
None Of the petitioners give their pos
office address. ! have, however, asceI
tanned yours, and hence write you in al
swer, and would request you to COMMIT
nicate this, my reply, To tue others.
The last of the field notes of M
Rolfe's surveys were rlaced in this otic
or August 22d, 1890.
They were then filed in their regnla
order OF receipt lis is the custom of tn
office, and were examined in their regu
ular order, there being many surveys
ahead of them, which had to be examined
first. On examination they were fount
to be deficient in many respects. A spec
ial examiner, Mr.. Geo. 7. Lamport, wa
appointed to examine them in the field
and the field notes were given to him tt
guide him IN making said examination
When he returns they will be Sen
back to Mr.. Rolfe for correction, AM
when returned corrected by him, will b.
again examined, and if found correct
will be plated, aud the maps and tran
scripts made and sent to the commission
er for his action.
This is the regular process which ever
survey goes through in this office. Tn
requirements of the Manual of Survey
are strict, and have to be compiled wit
both by the surveyors and this office
When they are not, it leads to ~prolonge
delays, for which this office is not RI
sponsible.
The examination of the field notes
surveys has been pushed as rapidly t
the force allowed would allow. This
limited by the amount appropriated b
congress for the purpose, which is ii
sufficient, but cannot be increased.
will say, In conclusion, that hay
always fully estim tied the hardship
under which the settlers labor IN gettir
the surveys executed, and afterwards
having them approved. This office h
done all that it can to obviate these oil
ficulties, but many circumstances, II
possible to prevent, have often frustrat'
its efforts.
The surveys to which the petitione
refer, MIR. Rolfe's,will receive the earle
attention as soon as presented in prop
shape. Very respectfully,
GEO. o. EATON,
Surveyor General for Montana.