Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-06-28
LANDS OF THE STATE.
Rules Governing Their Purchase or Leasing
by the People.

The state board OF land commits
sioners have prepared circular letter
of information concerning the pur-
chase or leasing of lands under their
control. 1t says: "The state board
of land commissioners are prepared
to sell or lease state lands in the coun-
ties of Flathead, Missoula, Ravalli,
Cascade, Lewis and Clarke and Gala
tin. No state lands in the other coun-
ties have yet been appraised, and ow-
ing to the failure of the third legisla-
tive assembly to enact a law allowing
the state land agent to appraise land
as he examined it, no more appraIsing
can be done for some time. The ex-
pense OF the present method is so great
that the board do not feel authorized
to have further work done in this
direction, especially in view OF the fact
that large areas OF state lands are still
open for sale and lease in the counties
above mentioned.
"The board hold from time I o time
public sales at the county seat of the
county in which the land is situated,
after advertising for four weeks in
some paper published at the county
seat. At these sales at least 30 per
cent of the purchase money must be
paid, the remainder to be paid in sew
en- annual installments, with interest
at per cent on the amount remain
ing unpaid. To guarantee the pay
ment OF this residue, bond is required
by law, to be executed within twenty
four hours from the time OF purchase,
said bond to be signed by two bonds
men, residents OF the county in which
the land is situated. The balance
may be paid Mt any time thereafter,
if the purchaser so desires, when a
patent will be issued. The whole
amount may be paid ut the time of
sale if desired. No land can he he sold
for less than it's appraised value, and
i'm no case for less than SO per
acre.
"I.and not sold is leased for term
of five years, without agreement for
renewal, on a basis of at least per
cent of the appraised value rs annual
rental, in advance, first years rent to
invariably accompany the applica-
ton. The hoard reserves the right to
increase the price, il i'm their Judgment
lands were appraised too low. A bond
is required, as in the case of sale. II
you wish to lease, send to the board
for a blank application, upon receipt
OF which you are requested to fill out
all the blank spaces, taking care to
have the application sworn to before
a notary public and enclose the first
years rent, at the rate OF 3 per cent
OF the appraised value. Ii the appli
cation is favorably acted upon by the
board, duplicate leases will be sent to
YOU, toget her with bond return these
properly signed, when they will bt
signed by the proper officials, and the
original lease and receipt for the first
years rent will be sent to you"
Estate lands are divided into foul
classes Agricultural, grazing, timber
and land within the three miles limits
of a town. Not more than 16O acres
of agricultural land will be leased tt
one person or corporation; not les
than one section of grazing land vii
be so leased; timber land is not LEASED
but is sold for cash. Land within tn
three-mile limit cannot be sold, bu
mry be leased; when plated for
townsite addition, as in the Missouli
school addition. lots may be sold o
leased; if leased, Mt least 80 per cen
of the purchase money is required i
advance. When leased, seven per cen
OF the appraised value is charged, an
the term of the lease is two years il
stead of five.
"Bona fide settlers having improv,
ments 8 on state lands prior to the pass
age of the act of March, 1891, wi
, have preference right TO buy or lease
i this simply means, however, that til
settlers will not be Obliged to outbi
other persons; a bid equaling that {