Year: 1879

In Copp's Land Oloner Of May, 1879
we find circular from the Secretary of
the Interior addressed to the Register and
Receiver of the United States Land OFF
ces, in relation to timber lands situated
in the mineral districts. The most i'm
portant part of the Circular so far as it
relates to this neighborhood, is that re-
lating to the destruction of young timber.
1t is we'll known fact, that for many
years systematic destruction of Young
timber, especially oak has been going
on, which goes a long way to-
ward denuding the basin and mountain
sides of the growth which a few years of
care and repose would render valuable.
The timber for fuel has been cut offln this
vicinity until at the present time much of
the fuel for winter use has to be hauled
from SIX to ten miles, and each success,
i've year widens the circle in one direc-
tion or the other. To get good article
of oak wood, requires a journey of eigh:
or ten miles and makes the cost of the
article keep up above what consumers
can afford to pay. While our American
population is supplied in this manner, the
young growth of timber near town is be-
ing culed by Chinese, until there is scarce.
ly bush of .hree or four inches diameter
within miles of town. Our people
have watched this depletion going on
from year the year with no very pleasant
feelings but there appeared to be no legal
method of stopping the destruction, and
beyond demonstrating with the Chinese
nothing was done, except in one instance
some years ago. The duties devolved
upon the local Land Offices by the crcu.
lar of instructions, W i'll no doubt be fully
enforced, and one or two prosecutions
under the act will convince the Chinese
that they will have TO obtain their fuel in
the same way as other people. The fol
lowing sections are quoted from the circu-
lar:


1t shall be unlawful for any person to
cut or remove, or caused to be cut or re.
moved, from any of the mineral lands of
the United States any timber or under
growth of any kind whatsoever less than
eight inches in diameter, and any person
so offending shall be liable to be fined, in
compliance with the provisions of the
third section of said act, in any sum not
exceed ing five hundred dollars, and to
which may be added Imprisonment for
any term not exceed ing tx months.


1t shall be the duty Of the register and
receiver of each and every local land Of.
flee in whose district any mineral land
may be situated, to ascertain by personal
observation, or by sending persons to ex-
anime the same from time to time, wheth,
or any timber is being cut or used upon
any such lands, except for the purpose of
building or for agr ricultural, mining or
domestic purposes, or whether any tim.
Der is cut in violation Of these rules and
regulations within their respective land
districts; and if they shall ascertain that
there is any such violation they shall i'm
mediately report the same to this office,
giving in detail the facts, designating
the location OF the land, and if surveyed
giving description by legal subdivisions,
giving the names and residences of per-
sons who have violated the provisions of
the act above referred to, or the rules and
regulations prescribed Hereunder, and
also the names and residences of witness,
es by whom the facts of such violation
can be proven.