The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-12-17
Would MODIFY
HOMESTEAD LAW
Letters being Written Asking
Changes for Benefit of
AL! Concerned.
Leave OF ABSENCE FOR -four MONTHS
Extene;on OF Time after Entry-Re-
quirement lnf'icts Hardship anA
Suffering on New Settlers.

With the desire to alleviate suffer
ing and benefit the country, numerous
letters are being written to Congress
men Burke and Martin asking them
to use their influence to have the
homestead law SO altered as to grant
settlers an extension Of time in which
to go upon the land. Under the pres
ent law it is necessary for all persons
entering land to go upon it within six
months after date of entry. This
works a hardship on people, especially
as a large majority make entry i'll the
summer and fall, compelling them to
establish homes on the property in the
months OF November, December and
January, the very coolest and most
dsagreeable time in the entire year.
These entries are in most cases made
by people of very limited means: people
who are actuated by the desire for in
dependence, to secure home that in
time they may call their own. They
make the entry late in the summer
for the reason it ts-considerable to
do so and and to secure the money
they have to work for it and save as
best they can, with attendant priva-
tions. After making the entry they
again save until the time comes when
they have to go on the land, with the
result they are compelled to do SO with
means and time inadequate to sur
round themselves with coveniences
for making themselves comfortable.
The rule is to secure simply enough
rough lumber to build a small shack,
place therein limited furniture and
furnishings and by grim determine
tion resist fate as best they can, Sc
curing what little they can to live on
during the time it is cold, with work
impossible to secure.
1t is necessary for them to do this
in order to hold the land. If they do
not their homestead is subject to con-
test and in all probability is lost to
them with all expense necessary to
make entry.
1t is not believed the intention of
the law to inflict hardship and priva-
tion on the people, but toplace vacant
lands in the hands of people who will
make homes thereon and improve the
country, benetitting conditions in
every way. The time was when pri-
vations were not SO acute as they are
today for The reason the lands entered
were quite accessible to town and
railroad accommodations. Now the
available land in proximity to those
conyenienceS has been taken up and
all entries have TO be made on land 40
to 100 miles distant from q convenient
shipping point from the east-for it is
from the east these people come. emu
lating after years the advice Of Horace
GreeIy because they are forced to do,
so under the stress OF high priced
living and attendant conditions. 3
There are many instances OF priva
tion and hardship that might be cited
with accuracy, especially the occasion
last week when homesJeader in Mead
county was frozen to death. He was
endeavoriag to get lumber and proVis-
ions to his land, and While enroute his
load toppled OYER, pinioning him under
it. where he remained and was found
dead by those insearch OF him, who had
become apprehensiye at his absence.
The condition here depicted does
not especially refer to Pennington
county, but to northern Mead county,
But the changes of the requirements
of the homestead law will benefit
{ everyone if sanctioned by the public
land commission. 1t is desired to have
the time for going upon the land ex-
tended beyond the present six months
requirement, making it sufficient SO
that the entryman may go on his land
in the early spring, at which time it is
possible for people OF limited means to
do SO without withstanding the rigors
of winter in lonely claim shanty
with scant protection. Another mod.
ilication is that those already on the
land, known as homesteaders. making
early improvements, be granted leave
of absence of four months, such time
to be given during the winter months
viz, November, December Januar,
and February.
Letters besides being sent to con
gressmen are being written to f. W