Who Owns My Land?

The Federal government's land surveys lagged behind the settling of the Western lands.  The settlers had little or no patience with Federal bureaucracy assigning lands.  Only gradually did Federal laws begin to take into account the needs and life of the new residents out West.

One of those who championed the rights and interest of the settlers was Thomas Hart Benton during his 30 years in the Senate, 1821-1851.  He argued for a fixed minimum price for all Western lands, and urged that the price be based on the quality of the land.  Benton secured changes in the laws to protect the settlers who had cultivated land on public domain without prior formalities.  The law was slowly changed to save the "squatters" rights.

Even so, these changes were incredibly slow to materialize.  In 1830, but not made permanent until 1841, the settlers was give some temporary legal protection against purchase by a non-resident.  Now a settlers had the first bid on a tract of land up to 160 acres at minimum price, but acreage over 160 acres usually went up for public auction.

The Homestead Act of 1862 enabled a settler to secure Federal title of 160 acres free of any charge except the registration fee.  The settler had to have lived continuously on the land for five years at the time of application.  By that time though most of the best land had been settled and a Western lifestyle established.

Next time...Protection Unions

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Today in Pioneer History: "On June 18, 1983,  Dr. Sally Ride becomes the American women in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger on its second mission.