Harrington news

Last week's Harrington column included a questionnaire used to prove up patent claims for homesteads. We continue here with question 14.

Q. 14. Was the land occupied by any other person when you made such settlement? If so, state who lived there, and how you obtained possession. Ans. It was not. I was the first person to make settlement upon the land. Q. 15. When did you actually move on this land and commence living permanently thereon? Ans. I built my house in March 1884 and moved in it April 5, 1884. Q. 16. Where has been your actual personal residence and home during the whole time since the date of this filing or entry? Ans. It has been on this claim. Q. 17. Has your residence on the land now claimed been actual or constructive, continuous or at intervals? Explain what you mean by actual continuous residence. Ans. It has been actual and continuous. By living upon my claim continuously, I had no other home but my claim. Q. 18. Have you resided or boarded elsewhere than on this land since commencing your residence thereon? If so, state when and where, how often, and for how long? Ans. I have not resided or boarded elsewhere. Q. 19. Where have your voted since establishing residence on this land, and where did you last vote, and how long have your voted there. Ans. I voted at Hinshaw Precinct all the time. I voted last in Oct. 1889. Q. 20. How many times have you been absent from said tract since you commenced actual residence thereon? Give the dates when each absence commenced and terminated, and the cause therefore. Ans. In 1884, 1885, 1887 and 1888. I was absent about two months, each year, working in harvest at Walla Walla; I worked for money to support my family and improve the farm. My family remained on the claim all the time I was absent. Q. 21. Have you a family, and of whom does your family consist? Ans. I have a wife and two children. Q. 22. Has your family resided with you on this claim? If so, state when they moved on the land, how long they have lived there, and whether they actually reside there still. Ans. They have lived with me all the time. Q. 23. If your family has been absent any part of the time since moving on the land, state the causes for and the dates when each absence commenced and terminated. Ans. They have never been absent from the claim. Q. 24. When and by whom was your house built? Is it habitable at all seasons of the year? Ans. It was built by Archie Tinsley, my brother and myself in March 1884. It is habitable at all seasons of the year. Q. 25. Did you and your family live in said house during all of each or any winter since the date of your filing or entry? If not, state the duration and causes of each absence. Ans. I and my family lived in my house each winter since April 1884. Q. 26. If your family has not lived with you on this claim since the date of your filing or entry, state the causes therefore, where they did reside, and where they are now living. Ans. The have lived with me on the claim. Q. 27. Do you own any other residence house than the one now on your claim? If so, state where, and who occupies the same. Ans. I do not. Q. 28. Describe fully the house on this claim, giving value thereof; also describe fully all other improvements thereon of whatever kind, giving the value of each and total value of all improvements. Ans. A box house 12 X 16 feet, two outside and one inside doors, 2 windows with a kitchen 10 X 12 feet one window one door. Shingle roof and worth $125. Blacksmiths shop 12 X 16 feet $100; stable 12 X 16 feet $75.00; chicken house 8 X 16 feet $65; cellar and root house $65.00; corral $30.00; well of water $200.00; 55 acres broke $180.00; 160 acres fence with 2 wire and posts $225. Total improvements $1100.00 all made by myself. Q. 29. What farm implements do you own and use on this claim? State kind and number, and how long you have owned the same. Ans. 2 plows, mowing machine, rake and small tools I bought them as I acquired them. Q. 30. What domestic animals and livestock do you own and keep on this claim? State kind and number of each kind. Ans. 7 head horses, 3 head cattle, 2 pigs, 3 cats, 1 dog, 250 chickens, 15 turkeys. Q. 31. State what articles of furniture of every kind you keep and use in your residence on this claim and how long you have had them there. Ans. 3 beds and bedding, one table, cook stove and utensils, one cupboard, one table, 6 chairs, 2 clocks. Q. 32. Have you any personal property or live stock of any kind elsewhere than on this claim? If so, describe the same, and state where the same is kept. Ans. I have not. Q. 33. How many seasons have your raised crops on this land, and what kind of crops have you raised each season? Ans. 5 crops, grain, hay and vegetables. Q. 34. How many acres have you put in crops each year, and how much did you raise? State the amount in bushels of each kind. Ans. Farm 13 to 55 acres each year. The grain was all cut for hay. Q. 35. Have you the land in crop this year, or is it prepared for cropping the coming season? How much of the land is so cropped or prepared? Ans. 55 acres was in crop last year, 1889, and 40 acres prepared for crop for next season. Q. 36. Do you carry on any trade, profession or business elsewhere than on this land? If so, state what business you have been engaged in while claiming this land, where it was carried on, and the distance from your claim. Ans. I do not. Q. 37. If you have been employed in working for others away from this claim since you established residence thereon, state when, where, and for whom, in what occupation or capacity, how long you have so worked, and where you staid and lived during that time? Ans. In 1884, 1885, 1887 and 1888. I was absent at Walla Walla working in harvest about 2 months each year. I worked for money to support my family and improve the farm. Q. 38. Where are you assessed for taxes, personal, real estate, or license, and when and where have you paid taxes since claiming this land? Ans. I am assessed on the claim and pay taxes at Sprague, the county seat. Q. 39. Are the improvements on this land for taxes; if so, at what valuation? Have such taxes been paid; if so, when and by whom? Ans. The improvements are assessed at $350 for 1888. They have been paid by myself at Sprague, Wash. Q. 40. What use is made of this land, and who, besides yourself and family, uses it or causes it to be used? Ans. It is used for farming and grazing purposes by myself only, and no other person. Q. 41. Have you sold, transferred, or mortgaged this land, or offered or agreed to sell or dispose of it, and at what price? Ans. I have not at any price. Q. 42. Do you make this entry in the interest or for the benefit of any one else, or has any person other than yourself and family any interest, immediate or prospective, in this entry? If so, state for whom the entry is made. Ans. I make the entry for the benefit of myself and family. Q. 43. Has any person paid your expenses for making this entry, or paid you wages or a salary on condition that you make said entry, or agreed to do either, or agreed to pay the entry money for you, or to pay the fees or commissions, with the agreement or understanding that you will deed the land after entry is made? Ans. 1. no; 2. no; 3. no; 4. no; 5. no. Q. 44. Do you make this entry in good faith, for the exclusive purpose of a home and farm for yourself and family? Ans. I do. Q. 45. Did you leave or abandon a residence on your own land, in this State to reside on the land herein described and claimed by you? Ans. I did not. (Signature of Claimant) John Unbewust.

I hereby certify that each question in the foregoing deposition was orally propounded to the said John Unbewust, and the foregoing answers severally given by him thereto before he signed the same and after being sworn according to law; that the said John Unbewust is to me personally known as the person he represents himself to be in making this proof; that I have called his attention to the laws and penalties against false swearing, and that the foregoing deposition was sworn to and subscribed before me this fifth day of December, AD, 1889. Chas. B. Johnston, Clerk Probate Court Lincoln County, State of Washington." (Testimony of Claimant; Orig. Hd. No. 3653 FC No. 2688. Name of Claimant: John Unbewust. Land Office at Spokane Falls, Wash. Approved J.M. Adams, Register, L. Bluming, Receiver.)