The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-07-30
HOMESTEAD LANDS.


TO home.seekers:
Few people, even in the state of
Mississippi, know that the United
States lanG office at Jackson, Miss,
is vet one of the largest as TO the
volume of business in the United
States. In fact, very few other
than those interested know any,
thing of the laws under which the
United States now disposes of its
lands.
All the vacant land in MISSISSIPPI
pi being agricultural in character,
is subject only to entry under the
homestead laws. The object of the
law being to provide homes for the
people, the expense incurred in &C.
curing and perfecting a homestead
entry is merely nominal, intended
by the government merely to mains
tain the land Offices. In other
words, the expenses of giving the
land to her citizens who must show
by residence that they 10 good faith
want the lands for homes. Any
male citizen of the United States,
over the age of 81 years, not own
ing over 160 acres of land, is ens
titled to make a homestead entry of
100 acres. If he is the head of
family, he can make an entry before
becoming q years old. An unmar.
red woman over the age of 81, or
who is the head Of family, is en-
titled to the same privilege. The
preliminary amount to be paid on
100 acres is S14. The claimant
must reside five years on the track
entered; must make it his real
home, and after m akiDg proof of
compliance with law, secures patent.
The fees, when he makes final proof
at the land Office. Is not over SIS,
which, in addition to original amount
paid, printers fees, etc, bring the
cost of his quarter section inside of
$50. If he does not desire to re-
main five years on his claim before
making proof, he can after four-
teen months from date Of entry,
make proof of continuous residence
and cultivation, and commute his
claim to cash at $1.25 per acre, ser
curing patent without waiting longer.
The United States land Office in
Jackson is the only one in Missis-
slppi. The old records of all the
old offices which in olden times
were located at Washington, Jack.
son courthouse, Augusta, Pauldipr
Columbus, Pontotoc, Chosg,h,1 -, 81 !
and Mount Salus Qormerlaf;, o ,;n ton,
are &c cdnsolidated in IT r. : Office. ''''
fiscal trsf1era - OF business for the
sho1n rear ending June 30 last, as
A 0"9wn by the report of the register
and receiver, that day forwarded tc
the commissioner OF the genera
land office, was very large. In fact
the largest for many years.
The number of original entries
during the year was 1852, aggre.
eating 184,739.73 acres.
The number of fiscal entries tina
proof accepted) was 962, aggre'
eating 1872 ,045.30 acres.
The number Of entries committed
after fourteen months residence
and purchased at $1.25 per acre
was 80, aggregating 4,951.S3 acres
The number of cash entries (tha
is, entries wherein the quarter sec.
ton contained over 100 acres and
applicant was required to purchase
excess at $1,25 per acre., was 359
aggregatlng 5000 acres.
The total amount of money re-
ceived at this Office and paid over
to the United States was S28,676.S9
The amount OF fees and commits
sions earned each, by the register
and receiver over and above the
maximum amount allowed them by
law, was over $500 each, which
was covered into the treasury of
the United States.
liz addition to the land disposed
of as shown by the above eutrles, a
township was patented to the state
of Mississippi for the benefit of the
University of Mississippi at Oxford
Congress also during Senator
McLaurn's term in the senate. and
at his request, donated township
each for the A. and M. College, at
Starkville, the A. and M, College, at
Rodney. and the Industrial Insti.
tute and College, at Columbus. Sc
lections of the first two named
have been filed, and lessened the
public lands to the extent OF 49,
600 acres.
The amount of land vacant and
SUBJECT to homestead entry on July
l, 1896, and its location is shown
below, the counties wherein there
is no land not being named.
The government, or land office,
does not furnish maps showing
vacant lands. Parties can only se~
cure such maps by sending 81 for
each township, which they must
name Oupctiono M - <ho stot