The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-08-20
HOMESTEAD QUALIFICATIONS.

In view of the early opening of the
Cherokee strip and other adjacent land:
to settlement, which now seems assured
and of the great interest centered there
1t becomes matter of the first import
ance TO know just who may, and who
cannot avail themselves the privileges
prescribed in the law. To this end we
give herewith the text of the law bear
ing on those points, together with sug-
gestions how to proceed so as to make
no mistake. The law provides:-
First-Every person who is at the head
of a family or who has arrived at the age
OF q years and is a citizen of the United
States or has filed his declaration to be-
come such.
Second-No person who is the owner
IN fee simple of 100 acres of land IN any
state or territory is entitled to enter into
a homestead in Oklahoma as provided in
section 20 Of the organic act.
Third-The act approved March 8, 1898,
provides that any person who having at
tempted to, or for any cause failed TO
secure title III fee simple to a homestead
under the existing laws or who made
entry under what is known as the COM
muted provision of the homestead laws,
shall be qualified to make homestead
I entry upon said lands
| Fourth-Each entry must be in square
form as nearly as practicable and no
| person IS permitted TO enter more than
one quarter section.
Fiftll-No person is permitted to occu-
| py or enter upon any of these lands prior
to the date fixed by the president open
ing the lands to settlement. Under no
circumstance should a settler enter upon
any Of the lands until permitted TO do so
by the presidents proclamation.
The head of a family includes a man
under u years of age who is married.
II a wife is divorced from her deserted
husband SO that she is dependent upon
! her own resources for support, she then
becomes the head of family and can
make homestead entry if otherwise quail
flied, whether she has arrived at the age
of 81 years or not.
An unmarried woman who has arrived
at the age of q years may make home
stead entry.
The bill provides that soldiers and
officers who have served in the army of
the United States during the rebellion
to make homestead entry without regard
to age or citizenship, provided that they
are otherwise qualified. If the soldier
be dead, his wife, or if she be dead, his
minor heirs, by guardian duly appointed
and credited at the departments at
Washington, may make homestead en-
try.
An unmarried woman does not for
fAI L.,
must continue residence and cultivation
on her homestead until final proof is
made.
gether, cannot hold two homestead
claims.
A person may make his declaration to
become citizen of the United States be-
fore the clerk Of the district court. a
certified copy Of The declaration of in
tention should be filed " ith the applica-
ton to make homestead entry.
The bill opening the Cherokee outlet
to settlement provides that the presi-
dent must give twenty days notice be-
fore the lands are opened to entry and
settlement. This bill also provides
that each settler on the lands, before
receiving a patent for his homestead,
must pay to the United States for the
lands TO be taken by him, in addition
to the fees provided by law, the sum of
So 90 per acre for any land east of 9.s
west longitude, the sum of $150 per
acre for any lands between 97s degrees
west longitude and 9St degrees west
longitude, the sum of 81 per acre for
any lands west of 9st degrees west
longitude, and shall also pay interest
upon the amount so paid for said lands
from the date of entry to the date of
final payment therefor, at the rate of 4
per cent per annum.
HOW TO TAKE HOMESTEAD.
There are two ways in which a home
stead may be taken:
l. BY actual settlement on the land.
?. By entry at the local United States
land office.
An actual settler is one who goes upon
the land with the intention of making
ii his home and does some act indicating
his intention to appropriate tie land
To his own Use and benefit. /
This act of settlement must consist of /
some permanent aGd substantial inn !
pCovement of visible nature; SO as to /
give notice 10 all persons that the land |
Is taken IN good faith and for the pur. /
pose Of making Z home thereon An /
actual settler has three months in which 1
to make his entry in the local land Office 4
and his right relates back to the date of 1
settlement. a failure 10 make entry i
within three months from the settle !
ment viii opsn the land to lLe next /
claimant or settler who has complied /
with the law. No excuse viii be ac-
cepted by tAs department cf the interior /
for failure on TIE part OF the claimant /
or settler tn make his entry at the land 4
office within ninety days from the date
OF settlement where there Is no advance
claimant. either " settlement on the
land or by entry al the land Office.
Be- the second method tie homestead
claimant may 20 directly TO the United
States land office IN the district in whici,
tie land is situated and ente~ the laod.
A. ali tie lands IL Oklahoma are deeiar-
ed 10 be mineral IN character. IL i
not necessary fer tie claimant 10 exam
inc 'ne land before making hls entry.
Where tWo persons have initiated
homestead right to tie same tract OF