Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, November 17, 1909, Page 6

THEREPORT ON “SHAM LA ed through the passing of these home’ myself, am SS ie ee steaders to other fields. This is not }settler, and all of my friends and ‘due entirely to the character of , acquaintances belong to that class of lands, swamp or non-swamp, by the’ people, but I ‘would like to have you state, nor to the presence of poor soil' understand’ that homesteaders and} Mt TO GE TMS GOV. EBERHART ISSUES HIS “(Continued from first page) tions, in which he emphasized that our duty would be “simply to ascer- tain and report the facts,” and in his letter°of April 29th, transmitting to me a copy of these suggestions, Mr. Culkin further said, “you are making this investigation to ascer- tain the facts and you will be requir- ed to testify at the trials in respect to the character of the land.” The three state examiners travel- ved together and in each others pre- ‘sence made a careful examination of each forty, noting the character vf the soil, the principal timber and other plant life, and determined how- many acres were swamp and how many not swamp. Where there was any question as to the character of any portion of a swamp being suffi ciently permanent to fall within the meaning of the act of March 12, 1860, we passed it as non-swampy, thus giving the benefit of any doubt to a settler in every case. The examiners found in many .casesthat the lands were swampy and properly so des- ignated by the surveyors, in other cases they found that a major portion of each forty to be non-swampy and have been erroneously returned by the surveyors as swampy—in fact the examinations revealed that the U. S. surveyors had been guilty of the grosest carelessness in plat- ting the swampy lands, and this was particularly apparent on _ section lines where high and dry lands, di- rectly under their observations was marked as swampy. Only 73 cases were examined by this party of examiners, instead of “hundreds” as alleged by a recent writer attempting to furnish the pub- lic with facts. Out of these 73 cases 13 were reported non-swamp for all the lands claimed, and no fight made in behalf of the state; 17 were dropped by the contestants; and ne was dismissed by the local land office and is now pending at Wash- ington on appeal; 11 were adjusted by mutual agreement, that is, the state dropping out forties that were high and dry and the contestants acquiesced in finding of the examin- ers as to swamp forties; and in 31 cases the state is claiming 52 forties and in only one of these cases is the whole. 160 acres of the contestants homestead application involved. In 7 of these 31 cases the contestants have built their cabins. on swamp forties. It is fortunate that these peo- ple should have been allowed to set- tle upon such lands, and unfortun- sini eR ing sought for because they contain aie ate that they should have been! ! would suggest further for the be! vajyable spruce and tamarack. When ihe : brought in conflict with the state|nefit of all the settlers” who a©€ the spruce and tamarack’ is gone, “ADOLPH 0. ira) aoe for tracts that are actually swamp. | Legally the attitude of the state in defending its title to these lands is right, without question the swamp lands were granted to the state of Minnesota by the act of congress on March 12, 1860, and being so granted they belong to all the people of the! state, and not to any one individual who may illadvisedly, or otherwise, or unfavorable climatic conditions for the holdings of the state are light in towns I have in mind, the soil has been pronounced by experts as the best and the climate has not inter- ferred with the success of a few en- terprising ones who have rémained but it, is due to the unrest of the set- tler himself; the ease with which he obtained title under the commutation feature of the homestead law, and the timber and stone act. Criticism of the action of the state in these swam land casests has brought out) the fact that it, too, is holding large areas of unoccupied lands in the north, land on which no taxes are paid to help along local improvements and while this has nothing to do with the swamp land contests, and is| something over which the state audit-| or has no control it goes to show | that there is a growing sentiment against the state’s present plan of holding and disposing of lands. For the relief of the swamp land settler the men and women who, have gone on in good faith with the! intention of making homes I would! suggest that influence be brought to! bear upon congress for the passage} ef an act im about the following | words: “That in all cases where contests are now pending between settlers and states, involying lands included im any state swamp land grant, and in which a bona fied settlement was made on the land by the contestant prior to the opening of said land to entry, the state may relinquish such Jand and select in lieu thereof other Jands equal in area, and such lieu selections may be made either within or without any national forest which may. be in said state, and “That where any such settler has; relinquished or lost by reason of. such conflict any portion of the 160 acres to which he may have been en- titled under the homestead law, he} may.select other lands, in lieu there- ‘of, which need not be contiguous to the tract which he resides upon and holds under the homestead law, and’ the proof of residence and cultivation for the original homestead shall be sufficient for such additional entry of non-contigous tracts without resi- dence thereupon; and “That where any such. settler has been forced. by such conflict to re- linquish a portion of the tract claim- ‘ed by him and the case has not yet reached final decision, the relinquish- ed land restored to the claimant, if) he so desires, and the state permitted) to select other lands in lieu thereof.” struggling in these northern woods, that the state legislature should pro- yide for the taxation of state lands, held for speculation, as other lands} are taxed, so that such state lands may bear a fare share of the cost of road making and other local improve-' ments. This seems only just as the: increase in value of such land is de-| pendent largely upon the labor of the ‘land very much now. settlers, that is those that are ac- tually opening up the country, have very strong feelings against what they call “short visit” homesteaders, people who live on their-lands-only a small part of each year, and have got homes in some village or city. I|” speak of this because on a great deal of the land we had to examine there). are such settlers. There are some who are really trying to do something but the most of th-m are persons who do not live on the land. But in our examination of the land we had a duty to perform and it was to find out the facts so that we could swear to the facts before the land office. We carefully located the land we had to examine from the nearest government corner. Then we “horse-shoed” each acre that we had to éxamine. Mr. Duncan made sound- ings with a sounding pole into the swamps, and Mr. Walker took pict- ures of each piece where soundings were made. I examined the land on; both sides from time to time and ran the compass. Each of us paced out and counted our steps. We made sure of every feature of everything we had to do. The land which we found to be swamp ‘was very filat,| and covered with spruce and tam- arack, and on the ground there is a thick moss. Between the moss and the hard bottom, which is from one to five feet deep below, there is a mushy substance full of water and usually peaty. Now there can be no question at all about the tracts that such land as this is swamp. A few) years ago I cut the trees off of some’ of my own moss-covered swamps and | it remains swampy today. I tried to do this to see the results, but noth-| ing would grow and I did not expect that it would. I simply tried it be- cause I heard so much about it. Some people claimed at the trials} that when trees are cut off thesé| lands they would dry up, but that is not possible under the conditions. as most of these swamps are part of much larger swamps and of course the land in question would not dry up unless the much larger swamp than the land in question would ary up: j ert I have done this work in good faith under. your instructions and I could not do-otherwise in. any particula I ease than I have done. I felt th I was performing a public duty, and that is what I was there to do. I was not there to help anybody and I had no such desire. The fact is that these lands are be- these alleged settlers will be gone. In tact very few of them are on their I have sent to you my field notes of all the lands in respect to which } did not give testimony. These field notes cover these lands which — we} found to be dry and so reported, and | also the lands which we found to be wet, and about which there was no} FIRST PROCLAMATION. SETS NOVEMBER 25. AS THE DAY Says We Have Abundant Material Reasons For Returning Thanks ‘This Year. St. Paul—Governor Adolph O. Eber hart issued his Thanksgiving procla mation, naming Thursday, Nov. 25, as the day of general praise and thanks. The document, which is the first by the new governor, reads: “The: people of this state are ever mindful of the source from which come all their blessings. Cosmopoll- tan as they are, blending here the blood, the heart, and conscience of all that is best in old-world civilization, they approach the Thanksgiving period with sincere appreciation that “All good cometh from on High.” “Of material reasons for spiritual thanksgiving and praise there are abundant causes—our unity as a peo ple, our enjoyments of peace, our in- creasing opportunities for industrial advancement, our splendid school system that guarantees to every child the right to liberal educational advan- tages, our peaceful journeys in the direction of higher ideals of civiliza- tion and society. These are blessings that our people will do well to remem- ber and to raise their voices in praise and gratitude therefor. Let us each DULL BUSINESS Is quickly sharpened by using a grindstone. Buy a knife and the stone, as well as other necessary HARDWARE ARTICLES From this store and you'll get what is best, stan- dard, as well as at the lowest possible price. Carv- ing knives and forks, for Thanksgiving, are the proper caper. See the stock we are offering and buy.a set. _W. J. & H. D- POWERS Crand Rapids, Minn. and everyone, whether in the quiet of our homes or in the places of public worship, give thanks to Almighty God for these, our privileges and blessings, ‘and with fervent resolution and rev- erent mien let us justify the faith of our fathers by consecrating ourselves anew on this autumnal day to service in the cause of the Great Giver. “Thankful, indeed, that fire and flood have not devastated our domin- fon, that public health and _ public morals are both on a high plane, that our harvests are not only bountiful, but our products command a premium in the marts of the world, we of Min- mesota should give thanks for these signs of the heavenly beneficence and devote ourselves to works of highest attainment, not forgetting that through service to others is the road to indi- vidual happiness and the accomplish- ment of the ideal. “Now, therefore, I, Adolph O. Bber- hart, governor of the state of Minne- sota, by virtue of the authority vested in. me by the laws of the state and the custom honored since the admis- Bion of the state to the union, do here- “by appoint Thursday, the 25th day of | November, in the year nineteen hun- dred and nine, as a day of general Thanksgiving. “Done at the capitol in the city of St. Paul, this twelfth day of Novem- ber in the year nineteen hundred and We will sell all the dry goods in our store at cost as we wish to close out all these goods at once. We will carry a clean and fresh stock of Groceries and ask for a share of your patronage. THE CASH STORE Arsenault @ Cashen, Props. “Attest: “Julius A. Schmahl, “Secretary of State.” EDITORS AT SAUK CENTER. Gev. Eberhart Will Speak to Central Minnesota Association. Sduk Cente — Governor Adolph ALL KINDS OF HARD AND SOFT WOOD FOR SALE settle upon them—they must be dis-| Settlers on ores adjacent eit tate | Contest because the claimants did) re ca itd rites | ‘ vi " |is very desirable that the state’ oria ssociation D7 a+ posed of as provided by law, and for} nkld Uhe we Auge tinier” Schon mot appear. here on Dec. 3 on “The Newspaper Phone 114 JOHN e) BRIEN the benefit of all the people of the|* The northern part of the state 5, ‘ d other funds; but-{t may also be, as a Factor in the State’s Develop- state. Technically, as based on the |" : ‘|needs a good deal of help, and one! ment.’ Frank M. Eddy will also ad- character of the soil the state is|8o0od statesmanship to spend some’ or the worst things we have to con-| dress the association. Editor Welles | right. The examiners made careful| money in bringing the wisdom of the, tong with is the homesteader who| of the Sauk Center Herald is at work | examination in each case and re-|State’s highest institutions directly| ives in Chicago or St. Paul or Be-|on an entertainment program, and | sgpprdooorooooeoooooroed Seer oe turned as swamp only that which is/t? the door of the homesteader in the/ miqji, or some of the towns in Kooch | the citizens are preparing a special —_T swamp. The-position of the state is form of scientific demonstrations "| iching county. These kind of home- welcome to the editors and their out- | unassailable, but where settlement/ 800d road making that will shoW| steaders are of no use to the county. | pete be dare haere: melee ot e | was made in good faith on swamp|them the administration is looking) yey do not aid in its development| fish, aust La pes rene Bato | after the interests of all parts of the rere ers will be discussed and the social land there should be some way to yikes? th in any way. There is no connection] sige will be amply provided for by | help out the settler. Some of these | Commonwealth, and moe an oe between my work for the state as| the committee. The scope of the as | people, and I may say most of them, | that northern Minnesota is, after 4ll,) swamp land examiner and what 1| sociation was greatly enlarged at the | have been made in good faith in|# 800d place in which to live. might say now, and that is that if| last meeting at Bemidji and the ter- 7 looking for lands, for themselves. As| ! Present these ‘remarks for YOUr| northern Minnesota could get rid of| titory was increased. Originally this to whether they are night or wrong egaunahage Rea Ard a the! its homesteaders who do not live in pang hae isd eegermnge hen by 7 not’ i tani important office w you have 80| northern Minnesota, lew ‘ors on the Sai enter an L . | * important ot this point, in, the ably filled for several years, you have ors oe a a ee Bemidji branch of the Great Northern 7 to 22.50 vA Price | discussion. They have spent money lands a class of people who would gained an experience and a know- cailroad, to try and get better train | and time in an attempt to settle the ill enabl. live on the land, and if the state! service for the towns on the branch i north and make homes for themselvee| ledge of state affairs that w ee | would pay taxes on its swamp land| ime, Long Prairie, Akeley, Park Rap- saponin Satarday and Jet-up many of them feel that they have|¥oU to counsel where counsel aes precisely as other people pay them,| ids, Cass Lake, Walker, Browerville Site, Nee ae coe: ——- lost something in this conflict with}De needed and to assist in ae “a @ verg good result would follow. and Walker. wear, Caps, Shoes or anything the state. It will not be possible to| legislation that may be benefical no Very truly yoours, | A public reception will be held tm else you need in wearables. reimburse them directly for the loss| ly to this new settlement in the NILS A. OTTERSTAD. the Opera house, where Governor Bb : put the state by a generous policy,|2Orth, but to all the state. Sue erhart will give his address. ranks Soman: at half peice: may be able to lighten the burdens Respectfully, $10.00 Overcoat... $2-89 of a pioneer life and to hasten the T. L. DUNCAN. FOOTBALL MEN EXONERATED, TWO FILE IN BANKRUPTCY. ie 2 j . liv- i newest shades of gray, | ome of pans ssdchepierniiad ae tty Report of Nels Otterstad. Net Responsible for Death ef Archer; Mankato.—Elihu Parker, of Minne- dark and light, heavy weights od . Turtle Ri 20 - Christian, Saye Cerener. apolis, formerly of Mankato, filed a and novelty stripes, made up No sympathy, however, should be urtle River, Oct. 20. Washington, Nov. 16. — Players of | petition in voluntary bankruptey. He with convertible collars. waisted on that class of settlers who|Hon. S. G. Iverson, State Auditor, St.’ poth teams were exonerated of all re-| has been engaged in the elevator busty ‘ have come into the north for the| Paul, Minn. sponsibility for the death of young | ness, and gives his liabilities as $24, A splendid assortment of neat purpose of acquiring valuable timber| Dear Sir:—I have now concluded all} Archer Christian, who sucoumbed to | 898, and his assets as real estate sages ‘eta arg Bhan lands, and who, shortly after getting|the state examinations which I have’ injuries received Saturday in the foot- | $80,000, stock, etc., $1,230, and $6,500 lared: great coat, pa Ahn ef title, sell the timber and leave the/to make to determine if the land 1; ba game between the University of | exempt. Lawrence J.'Parker, of Hen- in all kinds of weather. Pais Canad: had to examine was swamp land or| Virginia amd Georgetown university | derson, an elevator man, also filed a Now then, fellows, all together ——T country—many going to sth here. The death of the Virginia petition in bankruptcy at the same z : wee ir tead operations. | mot. play- 01 % repeat their homest M asa er was declared by the coroner's jury | time, with liabilities of $2,225, and as ‘What's the matter with Hen- Northern Minnesota and Koochiching In this work I was at all times in| ) 44 ight to be ly an dent. ‘exempt. ry Hughes & Company?” county in particular is suffering} company with Frank W. Walker of ‘ ‘They’ re all right!” severely through the ownership of Two Harbors and T. L. Duncan of! gUILD WASHINGTON MEMORIAL. MOTHER AND FIVE PERISH. “Who's all right?” le homestead-|Northome. “Both of these men are Henry Hughes & Company; lands by these erstwhile hom R because they sell the best of a ers—there is a lack of permanent competent woodsmen and I have had | Movement te Raise $2,500,008 For, Husband and Father Builds Fire With Suits, Overcoats, Hats, Shirts i | farm occupants and there is a sur-|a large experience. I live as you Bullding at the Capital. Gasoline at Warroad. Rubbers, Shoes and’ every- ; t _| know, at Turtle River, and I had nine thing that is good to wear. & plus of wild lands, both wet and dry. Sey aceon hel : "| New York, Nov. 16.—Announcement Wariead2iiow: Nell Jonsep atid Sve / x a In a large percentage of these swamp} years perienc trami = and) ‘made tha aA ‘iy | Ste; Louts hick te per Bas been it distinguished mea | ci en lost their lives, and Jensen, B * 3 land cases the earmarks of good fait) 7 s nace ‘a the” tim! adi and women are behind a movement to Henry Hughes & Co was uncertainly developed, and in country." I know the county well; 4 several instances entirely wanting and I know its conditions. so that the claimant may be expect-| When we went out to examine these : The Popular Store —_—_ ~ed to turn out to be a-bind-of-passage. 3 c m™IiAmt IAATE CY DVACIIRE DEFECTIVE | PAGE