Jasper Republican, Volume 2, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1876 — Important Land Decisions. [ARTICLE]

Important Land Decisions.

Washington, Dec. 27. Coup’s Land Owner for December reports decisions of the Secretary of the Interior, establishing the following principles: ■yVfv Homesteads—-The possession of an executor or administrator is, uuder the Homestead law, the possession of the heirs or devisee, subject to the right ot administration vested in the officer, and the time allowed by the court for the settlement of the estate must be counted for the heir or devisee in making final proof. The.provisions of Section ■ 2,291 of the Revised Statutes are substantially complied with by continual cultivation tor the period of five years by the heirs or devisee, personal residence not being required in their case. At a hearing to determine the abandonment in the case of the deceased homestead claimant, a certified copy of the will and other matters connected therewith may be introduced. Pre-emption—A mortgage unsatisfied, at the date of proof and entry defeats a pre-emption claim; also decisions of the Commissioner of the General Land Office to the effect that soldiers now in the regular army may, under Section 2,293 of the Revised Statutes, perform the preliminary acts relating to homestead entries therein mentioned. <

Timber Culture —The planting ot seeds or cuttings is not a compliance with the Timber-Culture act, but the General Land Office does not inquire how the required trees are produced.- If seeds or cuttings produce healthy-growing trees the law is complied with. A timber-culture settler may relinquish a portion of the land embraced in his entry and hold the re mainder. - * • AV -* ->* Salt Springs—The existence of a salt spring on a tract of land withdraws it from the operation of the Homestead and Pre-emption laws, vide Sections 2,258 and 2,289, Revised Statutes. A hearing for the purpose of proving the agricultural character of such lands is not allowed. Mineral Lands and Raifroad The question, “ Can lands containing valuable deposits of mica, inuring, if agricultarah to the Union Pacific Railroad, be the Mining laws?” was .First—Lands containing valuably deposits of mica may be patented law of May 16, 1872. Second —Alf minerals, except coal tad iron, are excepted from the grants to railroads. , ’ V'r"- : —“ Mr. Busbee says you needn’t send the paper to him any more,” said a little urchin who stuck his head into the sanctum. V All right.” “ An’ he said to tell .you he wouldn’t a stopped it only you didn’t say nothin’ about the big bog he killed.last week,” continued the youth; and then he slid down the banister into the street.—Fulton (ts. Y.) Times. —One of the fashion authorities hasdecreed that short men shall not wear Ulster coats, and that &U men who wear Ulsters shall not wear high hats. Tall women in Derby hats look like dressed-op ten-pins, and little women in flare-up bonnets look overwhelmingly top-heavy.