File:Testimony of Witness, Jim Steel.tiff (d2006b8f-ca5a-4c50-9309-750842f308dc).tiff

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(4-369.) HOMESTEAD PROOF- TESTIMONY OF WITNESS. Jim Steel being called as a witness in support of the Homestead entry of Samuel Brown for SE ¼ NW ¼ and NE ¼ SW ¼ sec. 17, T 10 N, R 19 W testifies as follows. Ques. 1. What is your name, age, and post-office address? Ans. Jim Steel, age 65, P.O. Westville, Miss Ques. 2. Are you well acquainted with the claimant in this case and the land embraced in his claim? Ans. Yes 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 Ques. 4. State specifically the character of the land – whether it is timer, prairie, grazing, farming, coal, or mineral land. Ans. Farming land Ques. 5. When did claimant settle upon the homestead and at what date did he establish actual residence thereon? Ans. In 1887 & established actual residence the same time. Ques. 6. Have claimant and family resided continuously on the homestead since first establishing residence thereon? (If settler is unmarried, state the fact.) Ans. Yes 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. None. Ques. 8. How much of the homestead has the settler cultivated and for how many seasons did he raise crops thereon? Ans. 15 acres, 10 seasons. Ques. 9. What improvements are on the land and what is there value? Ans. Dwelling 16x20, 1 crib, 1 stable, and 1 outhouse. Value $75 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 agriculture than for mineral purposes.) Ans. No- more valuable for agricultural purposes Ques. 11. Has the claimant mortgaged, sold, or contracted to sell, any portion of said homestead? Ans. No 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. No - Yes. Jim Steel- X his mark I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing testimony was read to the witness before being subscribed and was sworn to before me this 16 day of January, 1897, at my office at Westville, in Simpson County, Miss [signature] L.E. Magee Circuit Clerk (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 officer taking testimony will be expected to make no mistakes in dates, description of land, or otherwise.)

• Keywords: mississippi; samuel brown; homestead