The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-08-02
VALUABLE FOR
FUTURE USE
INTERESTING TO THOSE WHO
WANT CROW LANDS.
FIGHT OF REIMBURSEMENT
Fortunate Ones May ReIinquish Claims
Drawn in Lottery-How
It is Done.

In view of the fact that next year
will witness repetition here, more
than passing interest is taken in ev-
erything pertaining to the land lot
terry held in South Dakota, by which
the recently opened Brule Sioux lands
were disposed of to intending settlers.
Every bit Of information concerning
the drawing is eagerly sought and
stored in the recesses of memory by
those who intend to try their fortune
when the ceded Grow strip is to be
drawn for.
Last Saturday the really interesting
feature in connection with the lottery
Uncle Sam managed in the land of
the Dakotas came to close. On
that day only 500 numbers remained
to be drawn that gave the right to
the lucky holderrs to file on land.
The remaining acres were not OF
much value, as the 1000 claimants
who had preceded were expected to
take about all of the land worth hav-
ing.
Commissioner Richards of the gen.
eral land Office, who superintendent
the drawing, left Chamberlain that
day. The remainder of the numbers
were drawn by clerk left in charge
for that purpose.
How They Are Notified.
The persons drawing successful
numbers were notified by postal card
and were also given a government
pamphlet explaining the conditions
attaching to filing. Still another card
explained that money need not be
taken to Bonesteel, the place of regis
try, to pay for the registration. The
f1ler is permitted to deposit his money
at any post of entry and deposit his
certificate in lieu of money This does
away with the necessity of taking
money to rBonesteel, a decidedly
tough" place, and also relieves the
government of the responsibility OF
handling the money.
May Make Relinquishments.
In connection with the drawing a
question of Importance has arisen.
This has regard to the matter of re-
linquishments. A large number Of
those who were successful in the
lottery have no intention of filing
and living on the land they have
drawn. They simply took chance
in the game and responded to the
gambling instinct so strong in some
people.
Mr.. Richards was asked if persons
having the right to file could relin-
quish their claims. 'Oh yes," he
answered. "A man may relinquish,
but he will have to hold his land
for 60 days. What will he have to
do in that time? Nothing, except to
file and pay the government price that
is required at the time of filing, name
ly 81 an acre. During the 60 days in
tervening, if he relinquishes, the land
cannot be disposed of, except under
the conditions of the lottery. That
is, If he relinquishees within that
time some man who has drawn a
number may file on the claim, but
none other. At the end of the 60 days
he may relinqulsh, and, of course,
some one else may file on it imme,
diately."
The commissioner was not willing
to make any suggestion as to how
this should be done, but the method
will be for person who has relin-
quished for consideration to go Sc
cretly to the land Office with the man
in whose favor he proposes to relin-
quish, and that person will immediate
ly file upon the land surrendered.
Privilege Of Old Soldiers.
can old soldier" continued the COM
missioner, may file through the
agent who registered him, upon a
payment of 50 and the fling of a
declaratory statement. If he files in
this way any person may file on the
same land and the conditional fling
will get the land"
.In this connection" said the COM
missioner, II would advise that the
old soldiers get rid OF their agents