This is a post that I have been meaning to publish for the last couple of years; I just haven't taken the time to put it together until now. Back in 2008, I found a power of attorney in the Chaffee County Recorder's office dated August 2, 1918. My great-grandfather, James Robert Dodge, had been drafted into the U.S. Army and was soon to report for duty. To make sure that his affairs at home would be properly taken care of, he appointed his brother, Dwight H. Dodge, with power of attorney to manage his affairs. One sentence that caught my attention reads: '[G]ranting to my said attorney the right to lease or sell my interest in my homestead rights as recorded in the Leadville Land Office.'
For several years, I wondered where these records existed (if they still existed) and where I might be able to access them. In 2014, I found unindexed BLM Tract Books on familysearch.org. After some additional research, I found which tract book to look through. I found the correct tract book and clicked through each page. I eventually found the information I was looking for: James Robert Dodge - 120 acres - Date of purchase: May 20, 1918 - Date of Relinquishment: April 6, 1920.
I also found two other entries: Dwight Hector Dodge - 160 acres - Date of purchase: May 29, 1917 - Date of Relinquishment: January 6, 1920.
Nathaniel T. Dodge - 120 acres - Date of purchase: December 9, 1916 - Date of Relinquishment: May 20, 1918. It appears that Nathaniel tried to add to his homestead that he had received back in 1903.
Leadville, Colorado Land Office Plat Record - Book 54, Page 224
Map of homesteads and land owned in Buena Vista, Colorado
Now that I had found the tract book entry, my next question was: where are the records held? I quickly found that the relinquished homestead records are held by the U.S. National Archives office in Denver. After sending an inquiry, I had copies of the records I had been looking for. Below are the records I had wondered about. I will try to go through them as best as I can.
Additional Homestead Application for Nathaniel T. Dodge- December 1916
Nathaniel filed for the additional homestead in December of 1916 and attempted to make entry upon the land. Upon entering on the land, he found that the previous homesteader had failed to remove the improvements that had been placed upon the land. Nathaniel requested the previous homesteader that remove the improvements. His request was refused. Nathaniel was also refused entry upon the land by the previous homesteader. Nathaniel first contacted the General Land Office in Washington, D.C. He was referred to the Leadville Land Office as they held jurisdiction in the matter of his inquiry. He inquired to see what recourse was available to him. He was advised by the Leadville Land Office to file suit against the previous homesteader in the local courts, which he did. Nathaniel also requested an extension of time to enter upon the land. This request was granted, and he was given until September 1, 1917 to make entry upon the land.
Letters to U.S. Land Office - January & May, 1917
Responses from General Land Office and Leadville Land Office - January & May 1917
It is unknown if Nathaniel prevailed in the suit he brought against the previous homesteader or if he was able to obtain entry upon his additional homestead. Eventually, Nathaniel relinquished the homestead in May of 1918.
James Robert Dodge then applied for a homestead on the same parcel of land the same day in May, 1918. However, with the First World War raging, and having been classified as 1A following his registering for the draft the previous year, it is unknown if Jim was able to enter on to the land or if he was able to make any of the required improvements upon the land as he was inducted into the U.S. Army in early August of 1918. Jim served with the American Army of Occupation in Germany and returned home in August of 1919. His brother Dwight, whom Jim had appointed with power of attorney in his absence, appears to have relinquished the homestead in April of 1919, but the relinquishment was not recorded with the Leadville Land Office until April of 1920, after Jim had returned from the Army.
Homestead Entry for James Robert Dodge - May 1918
Relinquishment of Homestead Claim - April 1920
Power of Attorney from James R. Dodge to Dwight H. Dodge - August 1918
Dwight Hector Dodge also applied for a homestead in Buena Vista. However, he applied for his own parcel instead of following Nathaniel & Jim on to their parcel of land. Dwight purchased a 160-acre homestead in May of 1917. Dwight registered for the World War I Draft in June of 1917 and claimed his parents as dependent on his support. As a result, Dwight was not classified as 1A and was not drafted into the Army. Even though Dwight had ample opportunity to pursue his homestead, he made the decision to relinquish his homestead in January of 1920. Shortly after this time, Dwight left Colorado.
Homestead Entry for Dwight Hector Dodge - May 1917
Relinquishment of Homestead Claim - January 1920
