Walker, William E. (homestead proof)

• Title	Walker, William E. (homestead proof)
  Short Title	Walker, William E. (homestead proof)
  Publisher	William E. Walker, homestead certificate no. 3364, Ironton, Missouri, Land Office, Land Entry Files, Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Record Group 49, National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
  Source ID	S1049
  Text	Abstracted 3 Sept 2007, by Janis Gilmore 1. Testimony of Claimant, William E. Walker Claimant states that his name is William E. Walker, that his age 33, and he is a farmer employed by himself. Further, that his post office address is Hutton Vally [sic] PO, Howell County, Missouri. He attests that he is the identical William E. Walker who filed for the property at the Ironton land office on 26 Nov 1881; that the description of the land is "NWSW and SW NW, Sec 20, Tp 27 N, Range 6 E." That he was farming in Howell County, Missouri, prior to filing for this land, and was born a citizen of the USA. That he has not made any other homestead entry or filing. That the land is in an unincorporated area, and "is common farming lands, about 40 acres can be cultivated, balance too rough & stony." He describes the timber as "black hickory, b jack p oak and brush." That the land is used for grazing purposes. He states that he first settled on the land in Nov 1879, dug a well, and built a house worth $25, and that his residence has been on this claim since that date. He then adds that his residence on the claim "has been continuous that is all the time except in Mar of 1887 not being able to work [illegible word] the land and was away until June following and getting better so I cut my what then I went on the railroad and hauled dirt for 2 month and returned home [illegible word] and my family." He states that he has a wife and 4 children, and that his family has continuously lived there with him (with the exception of the period mentioned above). In answer to the question "When and by whom was your house built? Is it habitable at all seasons of the year?" William answered that he had built it himself in 1879 and it was "comfortable to live in the year around." The document asks once more about the residence of his family and his reply is, "They have lived with me all the time. Where I go they go." In describing his home he states that it is a "box house," with rooms "14 x 16 and 10 x 12 [feet], another house 14 x 14, 1 stone chimney worth $65, smoke house [$15?], barn $25, grainery $10, well $5, about 167 fruit trees and 25 acres in cultivation $250." He owns some farm implements, such as turning double shovels and Bull Tongues, "some worn out." He keeps 2 mules, 1 cow, 21 hogs, 4 sheep, and chickens. His furnishings include 2 bedsteads, a cupboard, a sewing machine, a clock, tables and chairs, and a cook stove. He owns no property elsewhere. Every season since 1879 he has raised corn, wheat, oats and vegetables. He further indicates that "I have made some improvement each year and now have near 25 acres in cultivation," but that he "never kept any account of bushels raised." He is assessed for taxes in Howell County, Missouri, at West Plains "in the fall or winter." [This document was "orally propounded" to D.F. Martin, Judge and Ex-Officio Clerk of Probate, and signed by him.] 2. Testimony of Witness, A.W. Stokes [Albert Wesley "Doc" Stokes, married to William's sister, Eudocia Josephine "Dosh" (Walker) Stokes] Witness states that his age is 34 and that he resides in Hutton Valley, Howell County, Missouri. He further states that since November 1881 he has been farming on his own claim, and has no interest in William's claim. He lives about 4 miles away from William and his family. When asked about the names of two or more persons living nearer to the claimant than himself (Stokes), he named Jake Corte and James Cox. He indicates that he has known William E. Walker for 13 years, and that William has been on his claim since 1879. He states that he is acquainted with the boundaries of the place, and that he visits once every two months at all seasons of the year, and he last visited and saw William on his land about a week ago Monday. He describes William's claim as "common ordinary farm lands about 60 acres I think can be cultivated, balance rough." He discusses the types of timber on the place, and says that William has cut and cleared "near 25 acres." He attests that the claimant was, in the spring of 1887, "away two or 3 months then returned home and after that he hauled some on the rail road and mills but was home every week or two." Witness says that he has visited claimant on his claim with frequency "for he and I hunted considerable together"; that he has seen claimant clearing the land, making improvements, and cultivating; that it has been claimants home since 1879. Witness describes the house as having two rooms (14 x 16 and 12 x 14), a smoke house, a tenant house, a barn, a grainery, a well, and about 150 fruit trees and 25 acres in cultivation, "all done by claimant." He states that it is a "box house," that it is "ceiled overhead," and that is is "seasonably comfortable for a box house." Witness believes the land to be worth about $750, and states that to his knowledge it has never been offered for sale. Witness indicates that claimant cultivates corn, oats, wheat, and vegetables, and has done so every year since he moved there in 1879. [This document and witness testimony was certified by D.F. Martin, Judge and Ex-Officio Clerk of Court]