The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1892-02-19
LAND OFFICE.
Meade County settlers Attention.

Quite q NUMBER OF SeItleF III Gile 1OEOu
eastern part OF Meade county failed to
put their filings or entry upon record
within three months from the time the
township plat was filed as the law re-
quires. Some months after the expir-
alton OF this time these we're selected as
endowment lands, consequently the
parties are in trouble, There are prob
ably a dozen or more farmers in this fix:
They say they have never been informed
OF the selections by the state commits
sioner. In the meanwhile the lists OF
selections are before the secretary OF the
interior. Ii once approved by him, ju-
diclal proceedings will be necessary to
save their lands and ii is questionable II
even that will do it, though the commits
sioner OF school lands is anxious to
avoid giving trouble to any honest set
tier, and if he can control the matter
before the interior department passes
upon it, settlers may be able to save
their farms. All this trouble and pos
sible loss is occasioned by failing to file
within three months after the plats
we're received. The receiver here is
working to help out settlers in this mat
ter.
Land Office Decisions.
In the case Of Samuel Smith VS. Ed
ward L. Fiegel the local land office has
decided in favor OF Fiegel. The case in
wolves title to one hundred and sixty
acres close to town. 1t has also de-
clded the case OF Fidilllar White VS..
Edward Whitcomb in favor OF Whit
comb.
Two Important Land Cases.
Special agent J.. H. Magner arrived
here yesterday. to look after two cases
that will come up for hearing at the
local land offic eFebruary %, 1892.
One is entitled United States VS.. Thomas
Finn and James D. Deacy, II which
special land agent George c. Smith re
ported that the entry vas made IN the
interest OF James D. Ddacy, to whom il
was conveyed shortly after proof was
made. In the other, United States VS.
John Deacy. Mr.. Smith reported that
the entryman never made a bona-fidt
residence on the land, but lived witt
his brother on an adjoining tract. Th'
land involved is located in Crook coun
ty and as the defendants have retained
JolooK alLer their interests, it may b,
presumed the hearings will prove inter
esting.
An Important Land Office Ruling.
Sometime ago the commissioner al
Washington issued the following circu.
lar:
Land holders cannot be too careful in
so important a matter as the title To
the land that affords them and their
families u livelihood, and that may be-
Land buyers will save themselves much
loss by refusing to purchase OF those
who cannot show a patent or the record
OF one IN the county recorders office.
AS lawyers value their reputation, they
should explain to purchasers the yari-
Gus contingencies in certifying titles
where only receivers receipts can be pro-
duced. AS ejectment suits may be ex-
pected when land becomes valuable,
would 1T not be well for land owners
generally, to examine their claims Of
~conveyances and find upon what basis
their titles rest? Let no man feel secure
in his possessions until he has the Coy
eminent patent on record.
From this it can be seen how very inn
portant it is that land patents should
be recorded without delay. Parties
having patents in the local Office should
call for them at once. Their title is not
secure until they get possession OF the
patent, for should an affidavit be filed
against any claim for which the patent
still mains in the local land office. it
might subject the entryman to consider
able trouble. Those having patents at
Rapid City Office should call and get
them.