FORFEITURE OF HOMESTEAD.
Camargo, Ill.
Is it absolutely necessary for a homesteader to commence his bona fide residence on his claim within six months?
G. H. Snedaker.
Answer.—The homestead law contemplates immediate settlement by the claimant upon the land; and section 2,297 of the Revised Statutes declares that if at any time after he has filed his entry affidavit it is shown, to the satisfaction of the receiver of the land office, that the claimant has actually changed his residence, “or abandoned the land for more than six months,” at any time, the land shall revert to the government. “Copps’ American Settlers’ Guide,” page 53, says: “At the expiration of six months from date of entry the homestead party who has not been able to establish a bona fide residence upon the homestead, owing to climatic reasons, must file his affidavit, duly corroborated by two credible witnesses, giving in detail the storms, etc., that rendered it impossible for him to commence residence within six months.” We would add that it is safest to comply with the law, making it unnecessary to appeal to the decree of the General Land Commissioner, a very uncertain resort in cases of this nature.
LIQUOR DRANK IN ILLINOIS.
Carlinville, Ill.
In an argument on the temperance question a few days ago, a public speaker quoted The Inter Ocean as authority for the statement that there are $60,000,000 worth of liquor drank in Illinois during the course of a year. 1. Did The Inter Ocean say so? If it did, give us the figures in the Curiosity Shop to prove it. 2. He also said that this amount was one-third greater than the total value of the wheat crop of this State. Prove that too.