Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-05-18

The announcement that an eastern
concern had purchased through the
commissioners OF Kit Carson county, on
the eastern borders Of the state of COL
orado some $4,000 acres OF land created
a hubbub in real estate circles, AS was
stated IN this journal the price paid was
SIS a quarter section or an average Of
only twelve cents an acre. The county
officials felt that they could better af-
ford to sell the land at this price and re-
ceiye taxes each year than that they
allow the county TO own the land and
receive no taxes. The history OF the
settling Of this land Is interesting. What
Is now Kit Carson county was first set
tied under the presumption home
stead and timber culture acts prior 10
1881 The influx Of settlers from all
over the country into that rain-belt
section was very great In the years OF
1888 and 1889
As Is well remembered under the pro-
vision OF the presumption act the head
Of any family or any male person over
the age of tWenty-one years could Sc
cure 100 acres Of land by settling on it.
After living on 1t for six months proof
could be made upon payment TO the
government OF tl.25 an acre and Uncle
Sam would then issue a deed thereto.
Much land was also taken under the
provisions OF the homestead act, which
was then the same as now. At the time
the first pre-emptiOn proofs were being
m n IL DO "a "a "a
acre and as the average settler did not
have the necessary $500 with which to
make final proof and pay the govern
ment he would negotiate loan on his
land of from 5000 to $500 and usually
contract % pay the amount back IN
installments, payments being made
every six months, with interest at eight
per cent per annum.
There was no scarcity Of loan COM
panles which We're very anxious to lend
money in these amounts on quarter
section Of land, Accordingly loans
We're made on thousands Of quarter
sections and il looked as II the loan
companies had gilt-edge security, From
the time of the first settlement up to
1890 there had been plenty of rain each
season to raise a fair crop Of corn,
wheat oats, etc. That year the crops
failed and they experienced their first
drouth. This was the beginning Of the
end of that section as a great agricul-
tural success. About this time the in
terest and payment on loans became
due end as the settlers had not raised
any crops they found themselves un-
able to pay either interest or principal
on their loans. The result was that
great many who had not taken home
steads hiked out that summer and fail
for parts unknown and allowed the loan
60 take possession of the
forfeited claims.
At this time the agencies had quit
making loans on such land. The result
was that In the course Of a few years
these companies found themselves WE'LL
loaded up, as the owners OF about one
half OF the county and were paying
taxes on the land. This they did Tor
/ while. but finally allowed the land 60
be sold for taxes and as there were no
lther purchasers the county each year
bid in the tax receipts and lately took
leeds for the same on taX-title. At |
he tax sale the past spring the COM
decided 10 sell the land to the I
for the amount OF the taxes |
or the past two years with a guaran-
zee that they would pay the taxes IN |
he future A great many persons have |
made homestead proofs on their claims /
md have paid taxes up TO date and win !
continue TO do so. The land recently /
old was that which had been fore /
losed under mortgage.
Many OF the old settlers OF that Sec
ion have stayed there and have turned /
heir attention TO cattle raising They 1
re now independent having made
thousands Of dollars from their herds.
he buffalo grass that grows there is
Xcellent grazing and no doubt has
more nourishment for stock than any
ther grass that grows. II attalns a
eight Of three inches only but IL cures
Iself and Is as nourishlng In the winter
S summer Thousands Of head OF cat
ie now roam the prairles there and are
owned by the settlers who