The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-03

hhNG AhbAloclN6h luOul6 libuDlcH
KINGFIsHER, OKLA, Feb. a. 1892.
EDIToR NATIONAL tribune.
SIR: Your letter Of 25th ult, in which you
ask me 10 give n short explanation Of what
must be done by soldiers who desire TO file
claims who are not present in Oklahoma, for
publication IN your paper, came duly TO
hand. In answer thereto quote section 2309
OF the Revised Statutes OF the United States,
which reads as follows:
Every soldier. sailor marine officer, or other
person coming within the provisions OF Section
23Oa, may, M well 10y an agent az In person, enter
upon said homestead by fling n deClaratoTy state
mcni, as In presumption cases.
Section 2304 describes the persons who are
entitled to this privilege. They are private
soldiers and officers who served in the army OF
the United States during the rebellion for 90
days who were hOnOrably discharged, and who
have remained loyal 10 tho Government; the
troops mustered into the service Of the United
States by virtue of the 81 Section of an act
approved Feb. D. 1862, and every seaman, ma
rlne, and officer who has served in the navy OF
the United States or IN the Marine Corps dur
ing the rebellion for 80 days, and who was hon.
Oraby discharged, and has remained loyal TO
the Government Where any of the persons
described have died, their unmarried widows,
OF in case OF their death or marriage, then
their minor orphan children, by a guardian
duly appointed, aud officially accredited at the
Department oI the interior, are also entitled
TO the benefits OF this act
Under tho law, as il now stands, a soldier
can give an agent power OF attorney 10 file his
declaratory statement upon land for him nj the
local land Office. The Office foe for this filing
is So The soldier has six months in which 10
entor upon his land, commence actual settle
ment aud transmute his decarat0ry statement
into a homestead entry. Unless he does this
within six months his declarat0ry statement
becomes null and void. The land Office fec
Tor filing homestead entry is Sl4 ia the
cases Of widows and orphans as above referred
TO- their entries Of lands and other compliance
with the provisions Of the homestead law can
All be done by their agent or guardian, except
IN the case OF a widow, who is required TO APP
pear IN person at the local land office within six
months after her agent has Gled her declara-
tory statement and tTansmute tae same into q
homestead entry.
We ADVISE all cX-UniOD soldiers who desire
10 secure ACmesteads upon the public lands in
this country 10 come here ia person, personally
! select their hUmestCads and make the entry
therefor az the local land Office 10 which the
land is attached. Where this is not practicable
then the soldiers should club together, IN clubs
Of not more than six or eight each, make one
OF their own number their agent, clOthe him
with necessary powers Of attorney, and send
him here SO that he can be on the ground and
make selections Of land from personal inspCc.
/ ton. We do not indorse or recommend any Of
/ these local agents who arc advertising TO do q
+ wholesale CelaratOry- statement business fOI
+ old soldiers Their Statements are not rolia.
+ be an many cases arc absOiutry and lagrautly
untrue, and we believe that a large number OF
/ those who eutrust business 10 them will bC
4 disappointed in the result, il not absolutely
/ deirauded.
We further advise persons interested in this
subject 10 carefully watch the proceedings o.
Congress and the reports sent out from the Ia
/ terror Department, SO thai iHey may rec what
/ changes u any, arc made IN the present law
as some important changes in tie law regard
ing lands IN this Territory are now in Consid
GRAFTON before Congress-. V. ADMIRE.