Texas. General Land Office

“ Partly as a result of the slavery controversy then raging in the United States and partly in fear of war with Mexico, the United States refused annexation.
In the second period, Texas altered her attitude, withdrew her application for annexation, and made plans to perpetuate her republic. During this period, Texas was recognized by powers such as Great Britain, France, Holland, and Belgium. Americans, laboring under the influence of what they considered a Manifest Destiny, feared the influence of foreign powers in Texas. ”

“ Another area of oil development in Texas has been the so-called “tidelands”, the submerged lands under the Gulf of Mexico to the three-league limit. Production in the tidelands began as early as 1940 but drilling exploration has never developed to the desired extent. One reason has been the controversy between the United States and Texas over the ownership of the tidelands. ”

“ The people of Texas have always been interested in better educational systems. Early Texas newspapers reflect this fact. Consequently, land was set aside by the Republic or State at one time or other for the benefit of The University of Texas, county schools, eleemosynary institutions, and public schools. In many cases, this land has been sold, and the systems have benefited from the fund thereby created. ”

“ An Act of March 13, 1875, increased each county’s grant to four leagues. All but 18 of the state’s present 254 counties received this land, and most of them sold it, receiving small sums. Some counties retained their land, and many have had oil discovered on their property. Each county set up its own permanent school fund into which goes money from sale of county lands or money from mineral leases. Most counties that did not sell their land today have permanent funds of several hundred thousand dollars. ”

“ All owners of automobiles or motor vehicles shall before using such vehicles or machines upon the public roads, streets or driveways, register with the county clerk of the county in which he resides, his name, which name shall be registered by the county clerk in consecutive order in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall be numbered in the order of their registration, and it shall be the duty of such owner or owners to display in a conspicuous place on said machine the number so registered, which number shall be in figures not less than six inches in height. ”

“ The reason for the struggle—the desire of some to reduce the amount of production and divide it among the producers—was solved as the Texas Legislature gave the Railroad Commission authority to ration production.
A number of major fields were discovered in the 1930’s, mostly in West Texas and along the Gulf Coast.
The next sensational discovery, however, came in 1948 in Scurry and adjoining counties. The discovery well in this field was brought in on November 21, 1948. This led to further exploration and further discoveries of oil in West Texas. ”

“ It ignited. A flame some one hundred and fifty feet in diameter shot up two hundred or more feet high and tossed up boulders as large as a peck measure as one would a baseball. The light could be seen forty miles and when I approached to within warming distance of the flame the earth trembled like a mass of jelly.
In northeast Texas, some small production was discovered on Tar Island in Caddo Lake in 1914. Caddo Lake is on the Marion-Harrison County line. ”

“ Among Third Class Certificates will be found all colonial grants. The Republic of Texas encouraged immigration by contracting with numerous people who agreed to settle a number of immigrants on public domain.
Each immigrant who was head of a family was to receive 640 acres of land, and a single person 320 acres. The colonizers were to receive their pay in land. ”

“ The 1866 and 1870 laws were made a part of the Constitution of 1876, and settlers continued to claim land under pre-emption laws until 1898, when litigation in the courts brought this class of claims to an end.
The main reason for the end of pre-emptions was that homesteaders ran out of public domain on which to settle. However, 4,847,136 acres were granted under Homestead or Pre-emption laws. ”

“ Any person driving or operating an automobile or motor vehicle shall at the request, or signal by putting up the hand, or by other visible signal from a person riding or driving a horse or horses or other domestic animal, cause such vehicle or machine to come to a standstill as quickly as possible and to remain stationary long enough to allow such animal to pass. ”

“ Shortages arising out of the Civil War undoubtedly compelled this legislation. Southern States had been cut off from northern and European manufactures and took this, among other, means of encouraging Southerners to establish their own industry. ”

“ Heads of families under this class were entitled to 640 acres of land and single men to 320 acres.
Fourth Class Certificates were issued to immigrants who arrived in Texas after January 1, 1840, and before January 1, 1842. Young men who were permanent residents and became 17 years of age before January 1, 1840, were also eligible for this certificate. Heads of families could receive certificates for 640 acres, and single men for 320 acres. ”