Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73not60
§896 Erroneous Cancellation of Bona Fide Entries Corrected
Title 43 › Chapter 21— GRANTS IN AID OF RAILROADS AND WAGON ROADS › § 896
Summary
Wrongly canceled homestead or preemption claims caused by railroad grants or land withdrawals can be restored if the settler applies, follows the public‑land laws, has not taken another claim, and did not abandon the original. If they fail to reapply within a reasonable time set by the Secretary of the Interior, the land will be handled under those laws, first offered to good‑faith buyers, then to settlers.
Full Legal Text
Title 43, §896
Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
If, in the adjustment of said grants, it shall appear that the homestead or preemption entry of any bona fide settler has been erroneously canceled on account of any railroad grant or the withdrawal of public lands from market, such settler upon application shall be reinstated in all his rights and allowed to perfect his entry by complying with the public-land laws: Provided, That he has not located another claim or made an entry in lieu of the one so erroneously canceled: And provided also, That he did not voluntarily abandon said original entry: And provided further, That if any of said settlers do not renew their application to be reinstated within a reasonable time, to be fixed by the Secretary of the Interior, then all such unclaimed lands shall be disposed of under the public-land laws, with priority of right given to bona fide purchasers of said unclaimed lands, if any, and if there be no such purchasers, then to bona fide settlers residing thereon.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 896
Title 43 — Public Lands
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60