[Transfer of rights; consent of wife; exemption from sale

under execution.] The owner of what is known as a valid claim or improvement under the laws of this state, on public lands of the United States, shall be deemed in possession of a transferable interest therein, and any sale of such improvement shall be considered a sufficient consideration to support a promise: provided, that no such sale shall be valid to convey such improvement when made by the head of a family, unless the wife of the vendor, if any there be, shall give her consent thereto: and provided, also, that such land and the claim thereto shall be exempt from forced sale under execution. History: Laws 1851-1852, p. 274; C.L. 1865, ch. 86 (2d), § 1; C.L. 1884, § 2571; C.L. 1897, § 3745; Code 1915, § 4634; C.S. 1929, § 111-107; 1941 Comp., § 8-303; 1953 Comp., § 7-3-3.