Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-02
RUSH AT NORTH PLATTE
Nearly One Hundred Thousand Acres Of
Land Taken in August
SOME GOOD CLAIMS TO Be FOUND
Removal of Fences from Public
Domain VIII Permit Settlers to
Secure Large Tracts of
Land.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb., Sept. 1.-(Spe-
al.)-The officials of the United States
land Office located in this city have just
completed their monthly report, showing
the number of entries and the acreage en-
braced within the same, made by parties
, who took advantage OF the Kinkaid act
or one-section homestead law during the
month of August 1906. The showing is
good and most Of the entrymen seemed to
have bona dde intentions. In fact quite
few have already gone TO their lands,
and have begun to improve the same and
build homes. Some who filed during the
month have already taken their families
to the land. although under the law they
have full six months after entry for filing
in which to establish their residence on
the land. The report shows that during
the month 172 entries or filings were made
and that these embrace SO, 1862 acres.
The report of the North Platte United
States land ONCE for July l, 1905, showed
that there were still vacant and subject
10 entry at that time within the district of
the North Platte once. which embraces
all of Keith, Perkins and Lincoln counties
and the south half Of Mcpherson and the
southwest quarter of Logan counties, 261,-
7bs acres. Since that date 11O,s72 acres have
been homesteaded. which would leave 15O,-
ss7 stil vacant and subject to homestead
entries Of one section. Most of this land
lies in Mcpherson and Keith counties,
hence there is ample opportunity for the
seeker of one-section homesteads. The
land vacant is about OF the same grade
as that taken but lies further north, being
mainly in the south half of Mcpherson
| and the north half Of Keith, and hence on
account of the distance was not taken dur
! ing the August rush until that near the
Union Pacific railroad was nearly all gone.
| 1t is mainly covered with natural wild
grasses and splendid for grazing purposes,
but as yet the soil has never titled.
Nature of Remaining Land.
Most OF the land is rolling, although
there would be no difficulty in finding sec
tions as rough as desired. Many, IL not
most of the vacant sections have portions
which can be proftably put to crops, but
grazing and dairying is the best use to
which the land can be put.
| A former homestead is not bar of entry
under the Kinkaid law OF such a number
Of acres which, added to that OF the former
entry, does not make more than $40 acres.
Those who either abandoned. commuted
(paid ouO or for some reason lost their
homestead entry before proof. before Au-
gust % 1871 are enuued 10 WhOle sec
ton now. Soldiers have the privilege of
hling by agent. All others must appear in
person. Soldiers may file declaratory state
ments which will give them the preferen-
tial rights for six months to homestead
the land. They must, however, before the
six months expire establish their residence
upon the land.
The railroads are doing all within their
power 10 settle the country. On the FIRST
and third Tuesdays of each month they are
giving a rate of one fare. plus S. for the
round trip, and where this fare plus 81 is
more than a fare and a third for the round
trip the latter rate is allowed. These rates
are good on practically all the roads in the
United States. The next homeseekers' ex-
cursion will be the coming Tuesday, Sep
tsmber 5, 1906 Usually at these times quite
a number OF parties seeking decided as well
as government land arrive.
Entry by Months.
The following report taken from the re-
capitulRtions OF the United States land
once books at North Platte, Neb, shows
the number of entries and the number OF
acres filed upon since the Rinkaid, or one
section homestead law, took effect June
.. 1904 The total number OF acres filed
upon since the Kinkaid act took effect is