The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-04-20


kota territory a quarter of century
ago. At that time each settler was
allowed two filings at once, pre-emp-
ton and timber culture entry, and,
following that homestead right. The
half section entries were greater in
lumber than those Of quarter section
alone. At that time the question OF
residence upon the land was not SO
closely construed by the government
land department as it is in the present
day, and many sections were proved
up where the holders barely saw the
land, and the residence was practically
all constructive.
Now it is different. All claimants
are closely questioned In regard to
residence by a special agent Of the
department, at the time Of making
proof, and the general land Office re-
Gently has ruled that while claimant
will be allowed Fix months In which to
begin improvement Snd settlement and
that six months will be allowed as con-
structive settlement in the fourteen
months required for making proof, the
last eight months must be actual and
continuous residence on the land x
the claimant desires to secure title.
That ruling will mean that there will
be more actual residents on the gov
ernment lands now being taken than
was the case in the old days.
Stream of Immigrant Goods.
The central points of the homestead
movement at the present at Pierre.
Chamberlain and Rapid City. and the
government land Offices are besieged
every day by men and women who de-
sire to secure filings on the fast dis
appearing remnant Of the government
domain The filings at the Pierre Of
fee are sufficient to take up from one
to three townships each month, and
there Is constant stream Of immi-
grants goods going across the river to
begin settlement. One man who re-
Gently came in from Hayes, forty miles
west, said that on his way in he count
ed seventy three loads of such goods
on the trail West. Every freight train
into this city brings from half dozen
to a dozen cars of goods and special
trains OF that class Of goods are
brought in every few days.
The class of people are from every
walk of life, but among them are the
sons and daughters of people who were
pioneers in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska
and Eastern Dakota, who are out to
begin on the raw prairie at the same
stage Of life where their parents be-
gun, and who know from experience
or from the stories told them by their
parents just what they have to face
in their new life.
All Glasses Represented.
And 1t is not always the young peo-
pie come alone. In many cases the
father accompanies them, either hav-
ing disposed of the old home at a good
price, or retaining it, comes to aid the
children in getting another for their
home which they are to build up 9th
ers who come have been tenant farm
ers in Iowa and Nebraska, and have
saved enough to begin for themselves,
and with the aid of their children are
able to secure homestead filings on
from half a section to a whole section.
One case in instance Is that Of fam
ily by the name of Barber, who came
from Iowa, the father, two sons and
daughter, who made filings on solid
section, on which they will make their
new home with land Of their own. All
the members = travelling show
troupe. while in this city last fall filed
near together near Grinstone, and all
have quit the road to live on their
claims, where they intend to spend the
summer and secure title. Another col
ony in the vicinity OF Hayes is COM
posed of Methodist ministers, most Of
whom came from Iowa; and yet other
colonies are built up Of members of
different trades and professions.
Will Be Some Failures.
While a number of the new settlers
are making the attempt with limited
capital, and may come to grief, large
majority of them are going out in
financial circumstances which will ena-
BILE them to get along comfortably un-
til their lands begin to bring them an
income. Most Of these take out with
them their teams, a few cows, and
chickens. One man who came from
the southern part of the state with a
family of wife and Ave children
brought with him ten milk cows and
about hundred chickens, and, as he is
locating not far from the line of the
northwestern extension, he will find
that in some of the towns which will
be started in his vicinity. he can mar
ket butter and eggs. and even will not
have to wal. for the town to give him
market, as there will be demand for
such products from the many others
who are not thus supplied.
There Is no question that the pres
ent situation, like that of the settle
ment of twenty-five years ago will de-
velop many failures, but that is' the
ON THE ACCREDITED LIST.