Gilpin observer., 1901-11-14
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Annu.a land once Report

western states, the main discussion
| centering around the broader problems
that are applicable. to all public land
states alike. However, n number of
local features are pertinent to Colo
rado and nelghboring states. and are
here quoted.
The total area of unapprOpriated
and unreserved lands in Colorado is
shown to be 39115,S14 acres, Of
which amount all but 4,39G.O55 acres
have been surveyed. The amount of
reserved land is 5,694, 161 acres, the
area now appropriated being 81 ,53S, 1S5
acres.
In New Mexico the total Of unre-
served and unapprOpriated lands is 3d.
5S9, ,124 acres of which Al, ,10S.50S acres
have been surveyed. The area appro-
priated is 16,454, ,495 acres and the
area reserved, 6,3S5, 1S1 acres.
The unappropriated and unreserved
lands in Wyoming aggregate 1850
500 acres, AZ, ,769.5S7 of which have
been surveyed. The area appropriated
is 6,1S1 1866 acres, and the area re-
served, 7,995,O1S acres.
During the past year surveys were
made of 2G4 1888 acres of public land in
Colorado and of 467, ,522 acres in Wy
oming.
Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico
and Utah contributed largely to the
general increase in coal patents for the
past year. There were thirty-six pat
ents issued in Colorado, covering 3,239
acres of land; in Wyoming twenty-five
coal patents were issued, for 2, I43
acres, and in New Mexico there were
twelve patents for $40 acres. In addi-
ton to these, there were 100 mineral
and mill site patents and 1904 mineral
and mill site claims, covering 15,791,-
S15 acres; in Wyoming there were four
mill site and mineral patents and ten
claims, covering S44 ,357 acres, while
in New Mexico the patents numbered
twenty and the claims thirty-seven, the
lands embraced aggregating 707,630
acres. Colorado contributed largely TO
the increase in mineral patents for the
year.
The report states that 1917 acres of
land in Colorado was patented to the
Union Pacific railroad proper, 24,0S2
to the Kansas division of the same
road, and 4,125 acres to the Denver
Pacific branch. while tract of 2S7 ,S24
acres in Wyoming was patented to the
Union Pacific proper. Under the head
of Indian and miscellaneous patents, is
in New Mexico.
We're issued to the Colorado Agricul-
tural College. and a further certificate
for school land indemnity covered 12,-
122 acres within that state.
Similar certificates We're issued in
Wyoming, on a far larger scale. In
this state charitable, educational and
other institutions received IL ,9SS acres,
public buildings, 1.434 acres; the Agri-
cultural College 21.O4S acres. miners
mospital 4SO acres, and school land in
IDENTITIES covering a total of 1889
acres.
During the past year but $4,000 was
allotted for public surveys in Colorado,
$4,000 in Wyoming, and $1,000 in
New Mexico. The amount of agricul-
tural land surveyed and accepted in
Colorado was 264, ,4O3 acres. besides
193. .175 not accepted. 1t is shown that
95.S61 squire miles of the state of
Colorado has been surveyed. which is
over ninety-two per cent. of the whole
state. The amount of land surveyed
in Wyoming was 4IO.06S acres. The
surveys executed in New Mexico en-
braced S37 miles of lines, nearly one
half of which were upon boundaries
of private land grants.
The state of Wyoming several times
availed itself of the provisions of the
desert land act, and at different times
acquired tracts of S2,617 acres, 7,19S
acres and 1906 acres.
Referring to lieu selections in oil
fields, after making the statement that
there has been no abatement in the
explorations for oil in Colorado and
Wyoming, the commissioner says:
The suspensions heretofore made of
townships alleged TO contain valuable
deposits of oil from disposition under
agricultural laws, and examination of
these lands by special agent, have al
layed to an extent the excitement
heretofore existing caused by the sup
posed appropriation of these lands by
the lieu scrippers. These suspensions
have been continued during the year
and must continue until relief is OBJ
tanned by legislation. the mining laws
and regulations being inadequate to
protect the bona fide prospectors who
are spending their time and money
In exploring for oil"
Attention is called to the law which
strictly prohibits the erection of fences
upon the public domain. Special
agents of the land office are required
to report every unlawful inclosure
coming under their knowledge, to give
persons notice to remove the same
within sixty days, and in the event Of
their failure to do so. to lay the facts
promptly before the United States at
torney for action. Drring the year
twenty-four such fence cases We're re-
ported as embracing .73.53o acres of
the public domain in Colorado. Ten
OF these fences were removed from
96,11O acres, upon proper notice from
special agents. the remaining fourteen
cases. involving 177,420 acres. being
laid before the judiciary. But ono
case, involving 92O acres. arose In Wy
omlng. and this was referred to the
United States attorney. In New Mex