Getting authorization from the Land Office to be absent from
your claim was a necessary formality. To satisfy the requirements
for homestead, the settler had to live on the land continuously
during the homestead period. It was necessary for him to swear
to this fact during his Final Proof. Should he fail to do so,
his claim would be in jeopardy. In addition, if he was not living
on the property, another settler could move onto it and then file
a preemptive claim to the land.
U. S. Land Office
Mitchell S.D.
Affidavit for Leave of Absence
State of South Dakota
County of Aurora
John Krell being duly sworn an oath deposes and says that he is the same person who made Homestead Entry No. 29855 at the Mitchell S. D. Land Office May 1st 1894, that he established actual residence on said Land on the 20th day of October A.D. 1894. That he built a house on said Land during the month of October and built stabling thereon and dug a well during the months of October and November A.D. 1894 and that he ploughed and seeded six acres to Rye on said Land during the month of October A.D. 1894. Affiant further states that his crops were distroyed [sic] by extreme and unusual drouth during the season of A.D. 1894 and that by reason of such distruction [sic] he is unable to plaster and finish the house which he had built on said Land and make it comfortable for his large family of small children during the coming winter and that his family will suffer from the cold weather of winter unless he is granted a leave of absence from said Land until Spring. Affiant further states that there are comfortable houses near this land which he can use during the winter and where his family will be comfortable if granted this Leave of Absence.
s/ John Krell
Subscribed and sworn before me this 31st Day of December A.D. 1894
W.A. Henneous
Notary Public