Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of Illinois Land Grant Endowment [PAGE 15]

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Land Grant Endowment lund

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interest at ten per cent.; that upon a talc lioing made the Regent execute t«J> the purchaser .1 contract for a deed upon a Compliance with the terms of sale, which contract shall require the purchaser !«, pa> all taxes. (June 5, 1H72; V, 15*) During the past year the Kxecutiw Committee lent to Nebraska and Minnesota an experienced agent to make a careful inspection and estimate of the value of the wild lands held by the (/Diversity in those States. His report gives a full statement o\ the character and probable \aluc of each piece, and of the roads, railroads or settlements which may affect this value. The lands in Nebraska were found, on a fair estimate, to be worth from $4 to $7 per acre, while those in Minnesota vary from $2 to $5. A circular has been issued offering them for sale, and inquiries begin to be made bv those desiring to purchase. (Mar. 11, 1873; VI, 73) Mr. Pickrel! made the following report of University lands in Gage county, Nebraska: To the Hoard of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University: The undersigned begs leave to report that on the 17th and 18th days of April, 1874, being in Heat rice, Gage county, Nebraska, that he took the liberty to employ A. J. Pittwud, the County Surveyor of said County, and visited and looked over the lands belonging to the Illinois Industrial University. The prairie fires having burned the grass very closely, we were enabled to find every corner that we looked for without the aid of compass and chain, the government having planted stones at all section corners and at all quartersection corners on the section lines. We were consequently enabled to take a general look at a brisk pony trot, and in the two days spent, made as careful an examination of these lands as desirable, unless a map showing the water courses, draws, breaks, etc., had been the object. The land is all high, rolling prairie, situated—as shown by the plat herewith presented—mostly on the breaks of Wild Cat, Hctten and Ayer's creeks in the Southeast portion of the county. There are some improvements adjoining and some in sight of the lands, the settlers for the most part being on homesteads. Upon inquiry, the price asked for adjacent unimproved lands was found to vary from $5 to $10 per acre, with occasional sales from $4 to $6 per acre. After a careful consideration I would recommend that the lands be put upon the market, advertised, at least, in the local press of Beatrice and prices fixed at $6 per acre where one 80 acre tract was taken, and $5 per acre where tracts of 160 acres or more would be taken by one party. Although a choice "80" or "quarter" might be worth more than the general average of the lands, but sales even at the best will cause the other lands adjoining to be sought at equally good prices, with a small portion (say onefourth) paid on the purchase, would recommend as long a time, being given at 8% payable semi-annually, as the party might desire by paying promptly. I would also recommend that some good local agent be appointed to make sales, and give general information to those who might apply. Respectfully submitted, J. H. PlCKKttX,

The report was accepted and recommendations adopted. An amount of $14 for expenses incurred by Mr, Pickrell for the inspection of these lands was allowed. (June 10, 1874; VII. 117)