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Witness Testimony, Charles Ray

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4—369. HOMESTEAD PROOF—TESTIMONY OF WITNESS. Charles Ray, being called as witness in support of the Homestead entry of Jacob N. Brown for Lots 1 + 2 + E½ NW ¼ 30-109-60, testifies as follows: Ques. 1.—What is your name, age, and post-office address? Ans. Charles Ray, age 44, Farnsworth, S.D. Ques. 2.—Are you well acquainted with the claimant in this case and the land embraced in his claim? Ans. I am. Ques. 3.—Is said tract within the limits of an incorporated town or selected site of a city or town, or used in any way for trade or business? Ans. No Sir. Ques. 4.—State specifically the character of this land—whether it is timber, prairie, grazing, farming, coal, or mineral land. Ans. Prairie grazing + farm land. Ques. 5.—When did claimant settle upon the homestead, and at what date did he establish actual residence thereon? Ans. About July 15, 1897. At Same time. Ques. 6.—Have claimant and family resided continuously on the homestead since first establishing residence thereon? (If settler is unmarried, state that fact.) Ans. He is Single Man. Yes he has lived on the land continuously Ques. 7.—For what period or periods has the settler been absent from the land since making settlement, and for what purpose; and if temporarily absent, did claimant’s family reside upon and cultivate the land during such absence? Ans. Not any. Ques. 8.—How much of the homestead has the settler cultivated, and for how many seasons did he raise crops thereon? Ans. 60 acres Crop every season Ques. 9.—What improvements are on the land, and what is their value? Ans. House, Barn well, granary, windmill + fence. Value $1000.00 Ques. 10.—Are there any indications of coal, salines, or minerals of any kind on the homestead? (If so, describe what they are, and state whether the land is more valuable for agricultural than for mineral purposes.) Ans. Not any. Ques. 11.—Has the claimant mortgaged, sold, or contracted to sell, any portion of said homestead? Ans. Not to My Knowledge. Ques. 12.—Are you interested in this claim; and do you think the settler has acted in entire good faith in perfecting this entry? Ans. I am not. I do. (Sign plainly with full christian name.) [signature] Charles Ray I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing testimony was read to the witness before being subscribed and was sworn to before me this 13th day of June, 1904, at my office at Huron S.D. in Beadle County, S.D. [SEE NOTE ON FOURTH PAGE.] [signature] CA Blake Register. (The testimony of witnesses must be taken at the same time and place and before the same officer as claimant’s final affidavit. The answers must be full and complete to each and every question asked, and officers taking testimony will be expected to make no mistakes in dates, description of land, or otherwise.)

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Homestead National Historical Park, Code: HOME

Beadle County, South Dakota
Latitude: 40.2879981994629, Longitude: -96.8339004516602

Homesteader Case Files

unknown

01/01/1904 - 12/30/1904

Land Entry Case Files: Homestead Final Certificates. Record Group 49: Records of the Bureau of Land Management. National Archives and Records Administration.

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Organization: Homestead National Historical Park
Address: 8523 W State Hwy 4, Beatrice, NE 68310

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