Survivors of polygamist sect fence off 1,000 acres of US Forest Service land in southwestern Colorado

[Benfromalbuquerque]

Tell me then, what’s the unpaid tax bill since 1862? Ballpark like a trillion dollars? Actually, let’s settle up with a wagon full of gold as currency was scare in the territories.
The sheriff shouldn’t be abused like this. Maybe these people will attempt some sovereign citizen bullshit (where they claim the sheriff is the highest authority). But still, it’s bad optics to confront with overwhelming force at this time in a voting year.

 

[steveshuntn1]

Step across a corner crossing on public land and it’s your ass…fence in a thousand acres of public land and they negotiate?

 

[jls456]

Crazy people.

 

[noharleyyet]

Puzzling....the squatters' rights enigma

 

[Wrong Burgundy]

I came across this on a national archives site:

"The Homestead Act remained in effect until 1976, with provisions for homesteading in Alaska until 1986."

"Remained"? Past tense? Is it even legally recognized anymore?

Also this is interesting. So, this group has been there for 5 years? Improved the land? Paid the fees, etc.? It is all fairly crazy...

The time requirement for residence or cultivation was set at 5 years; if it was proven "after due notice" that they moved residence or abandoned the land for more than six months at a time, then the land reverted to the government. A homesteader could also pay the $1.25 (or the current rate) per acre price after proof of the less-stringent requirements set in the Preemption Act.

After filing an affidavit with the government's agent, and paying him a $10 fee, the homesteader could begin occupying their claim. The government agent received the same fee for homestead land as he would have received if that land was sold for cash, 1/2 from the homesteader's filing fee and the other half from the patent (certificate) fee. The homesteader did not get a certificate or patent until they or their heirs filed, after 5 years (but before 7 years), further affidavits from two neighbors or "credible witnesses" and an additional $8 fee. Those affidavits affirmed the 5 years of residence or cultivation and that "no part of said land has been alienated [transferred or mortgaged], and that he [the homesteader] has borne true allegiance to the Government of the United States".

If both parents died and all the children were under 21, an executor under state law could sell (for the benefit of the children, and not the estate) an absolute title to the land within two years of the parent's death. The purchaser would pay office fees for a patent to the land.

 

[Treeshark]

Anytime you see the words “polygamist sect” it’s pretty much a given there will be some hijinx will be afoot.

 

[Ought Six]

I came across this on a national archives site:

"The Homestead Act remained in effect until 1976, with provisions for homesteading in Alaska until 1986."

"Remained"? Past tense? Is it even legally recognized anymore?

Also this is interesting. So, this group has been there for 5 years? Improved the land? Paid the fees, etc.? It is all fairly crazy...

The time requirement for residence or cultivation was set at 5 years; if it was proven "after due notice" that they moved residence or abandoned the land for more than six months at a time, then the land reverted to the government. A homesteader could also pay the $1.25 (or the current rate) per acre price after proof of the less-stringent requirements set in the Preemption Act.

After filing an affidavit with the government's agent, and paying him a $10 fee, the homesteader could begin occupying their claim. The government agent received the same fee for homestead land as he would have received if that land was sold for cash, 1/2 from the homesteader's filing fee and the other half from the patent (certificate) fee. The homesteader did not get a certificate or patent until they or their heirs filed, after 5 years (but before 7 years), further affidavits from two neighbors or "credible witnesses" and an additional $8 fee. Those affidavits affirmed the 5 years of residence or cultivation and that "no part of said land has been alienated [transferred or mortgaged], and that he [the homesteader] has borne true allegiance to the Government of the United States".

If both parents died and all the children were under 21, an executor under state law could sell (for the benefit of the children, and not the estate) an absolute title to the land within two years of the parent's death. The purchaser would pay office fees for a patent to the land.

It ain’t 1883 anymore

 

[Treeshark]

It ain’t 1883 anymore

That sentence seems to apply to quite a few things that are head-scratchers to other parts of the country.