They worked from dawn until the lantern no longer provided light they worked in the dirt, as wind hurled they ate dirt, and they lived in houses made of dirt. The settlers poured all their energies into mere survival in order to hold on to the earth under those claims. The Claimant and his Witnesses were asked “give total value thereof.” $300.00. Requirements were in place and stipulations must be met to be granted free land “To secure Homesteads of Actual Settlers on the Public Domain” meant establishing a home, noting family that had lived continuously on the land, how much land was cultivated, what crops were raised in each season, and what improvements had been made to the property.įor my ancestors these improvements included a house with the 12×14 hand-dug stone basement, a granary with an attached stable, a corn crib, a small sod house, fence around the farm, 2 acres of orchard, and 1,000 forest trees for windbreak. For those who lacked the ability to read and/or write the process called, once again, on bravery as a lengthy form, Homestead Proof – Testimony” was to be completed. Home of the brave – what courage it took to leave family and dwelling to ‘run’ for unclaimed land? Land of the free – ride like the untamed wind to the spot of choice and place a stake in a parcel of earth at no monetary cost (some paid with their limbs and others with their lives).Īfter holding the property for a number of years the claimants, and their witnesses, were obligated to travel to a General Land Office to register for some the trip took several days. Before the elegant lyrics were declared our National Anthem several valued and cherished attributes in this country were noticeable of which the Land Run participants were evidence. When pioneers, by horseback, on foot, or in a wagon seat, lined up along the border to take part in the Oklahoma Land Run some of them had the flag alongside.
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