Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-12-15
SETTLERS
MUST LIVE ON CLAIMS
Sweeping Order Issued by Gen.
eral Land Office at Wash
ington So Declares.
PRAIRIE WAS DESERTED
Nearly Every Maiden Holding Home
stead Rights and Her Young Men
Neiahbors Had Left West
for Homes in East.

Bonesteel, s. D., Dec. S.-Rosebud res
ervation settlers, scattered over many
states on what they supposed would be
leaves of absence, have been recalled
to their prairie homes by an order re-
fusing TO consider leaves of absence
that has just been issued IN the general
land office at Washington and which
is sweeping in it's effect.
Presenting that Uncle Sam would al
low his tenants on the reservation
claims, who drew their homes by
chance in the big lottery, TO go 10 their
real or former homes and spend the
winter, because of the lack of prepare
tion for the severity of Dakota storms,
hundreds OF the settlers had packed
their suit cases and departed for their
homes in the territory from which they
came in the middle west-South Da.
kota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kan
sas, Missouri and Illinois.
They had left the matter of securing
their leaves of absence with local land
agents who received IS each for ecur-
ing the leaves. And SO sure were the
local agents that they could secure
these privileges for their clients, that
they advised the settlers to go ahead,
II they chose. and not wait until the re-
plies came from Washington.
The Rosebud Was Deserted.
AS a result, the Rosebud had become
almost deserted and all of the Rosebud
maidens, together with the young men
OF the claims, had turned the keys in
their doors and left their little sod
huts TO Withstand the blizzards until
next spring. No sooner. however, had
the emigrants taken leave OF their
homes until the general land office or
der from Washington was received, Civ
ing notice that the leaves of absence
could not be granted.
And now in order To hold titles to
their lands, tho settlers who had antici-
pateG 2 pleasant winter visiting with
friends, must return TO the plains and
prepare to Gglt the ~sEowdrifts.
Merchants FL,ssed.
Merchants IN the new towns on the
reservation, wko hal abou given up
hope Of selling oyerct ats this winter,
are delighted at the order from Wash
ington %hic5, they say is but uphold.
| ing the / rights ana the law. Many
persons are now lingo. ing around the.
towns. too, yricy to Jump the claims
of the settlers who have gone away, in
case ii en do net returil on the minute.
allowed oy iGw MalY others, too, are,
now making low offers to those who
have gone, IN oIdCr u buy the lands at.
bargains, believing lESf those VINO nave,
gone VIII prefer seiiif & at a loss to.
coming back 70: the tSrd winter.
Plans for New Railroad.
With me activity caused by this, and.
the stif created by the recent
ment CT General Manager Bidwell, Of
The NcrthwesteI raiiIDdo, there is un-
usual business rush uDcut the Rosebud
just now, and II promises TO continue
for several months. There is much ex-
citemens here over The promises of a
railroa<. extension of fifty miles from
BonesteGl, AID each town is a~nxiously
clamoring u obtain the line.
The sincere confidence of the set
-lers IN th.iT chances for receiving
rants IF leaves of abscnce was based
upon previous "cquSsts ana grants, n
the fact that Il had always been no
trick at all TO obtain the leaves with
any plaus,cle excus Illness or a
necessity to get awaY on account of
financial need, was always considered
suficier !. Sat the wholesale lot of
requests ard no xcl excepting that
the settlers Wighed 10 get away for the
winter, were not enough for the United
states government.