32 GRASS LANDS OF THE SOUTH ALASKA COAST. 



The period- of continuous residence and cultivation bef,nns to run at the date 

 of actual settlement in case the entry at the district land office is made within 

 the prescribed period (three months) thereafter or before the intervention of a, 

 valid adverse claim. If the settlement is on unsurveyed land, the latter period 

 runs from the filing of plat in the district land office. (Act May 14, 1880, 21 

 Stat. L., 140.) 



HOMESTEAD SETTLERS ON UNSURVEYED LANDS. 



A homestead settler on unsurveyed public land not yet open to entry must 

 make entry within three months after the filing of the township plat of survey 

 in the district land office. (Act May 14, 1880, 21 Stat. L., 140.) 



CULTIVATION IN GRAZING DISTRICTS. 



In grazing districts stock raising and dairy i^roduction are so nearly akin to 

 agricultural imrsuits as to justify the issue of patent upon proof of permanent 

 settlement and the use of the land for such purposes. 



Proofs can only lie made by the homestead claimant in person, and can not be 

 made by an agent, attorney, assignee, or other person, except that in case of the 

 death of the entryman proof can be made by the statutory successor to the home- 

 stead right in the manner provided by law. 



Sections 2201 and 2202, Revised Statutes, provide for obtaining title to lands 

 entered by a homestead settler Iiy his heirs. The act of June 8, 1880 (21 Stat. 

 L., 1G6), provides for homestead claimants who become insane. 



HOMESTEAD CLAIMS NOT LIABLE FOR DEBT AND NOT SALABLE. 



No lands acquired under the provisions of the homestead laws are liable for 

 the satisfaction of any del)t contracted prior to the issue of the patent. (Sec. 

 220(), Hev. Stat.) 



The sale of a homestead claim by the settler to another party l)efore becoming 

 entitled to a patent vests no title or equities in the purchaser as against the 

 United States. In making final proof the settler is by law required to swear that 

 no part of the land has been alienated except for church, cemetery, or school 

 purposes or the right of way for railroads, canals, or ditches for irrigation or 

 drainage across it. (Sec. 2288, Rev. Stat., as amended by sec. 3 of the act of 

 March 3, 1891. 2G Stat. L., 1095.) 



SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' HOMESTEAD BIGHTS. 



Any officer, soldier; seaman, or marine who served for not less tlian ninety 

 days in the Army or Navy of the United States during the rebellion, and who 

 was honorably discharged and has remained loyal to tlie (iovernnieiit. and who 

 makes a homestead entry of 320 acres or less on any land subject to such entry, 

 is entitled under section 2305 of the Revised Statutes to have the term of his 

 service in the Army or Navy, not exceeding four years, deducted from the period 

 of five years' residence required under the homestead laws. 



If the party was discharged from service on account of wounds or disabilities 

 incurred in the line of duty the whole term of enlistment, not exceeding four 

 years, is to be dediicted from the homestead period of five years; but no ]»atent 

 can issue to any lioniestejid settler who has not resided upon, inqiroved, and cul- 

 tivated his homestead for a period of at least one year after he commenced his 

 improvements. (Sec. 2305, Rev. Stat.) 



