Joseph Zenophile Lanctot Land Records - Part 5

See previous posts here.


I have sufficiently recovered enough from my "blonde moment" (no offense to all you blondes out there) in yesterday's post to proceed with the review of the remaining land records.  (For the record, this never happened until my hairdresser put these blonde highlights in ...)


Apparently, probate judge (and census enumerator) Adam Grimes was away from home for a while during the time Zenophile was waiting to prove his pre-emption.  This caused the date for his final proof to be delayed until August 22, 1885.  If you recall, according to his pre-emption notice, he was to prove residence and cultivation on August 17, 1885.  What follows is a letter from Judge Grimes ... more like a memo, really ... explaining the delay.


==========================
Adam Grimes
PROBATE JUDGE
Charles Mix Co., Dakota


Attorney-at-Law        Land and Loan Broker


Wheeler, Dak., Aug 22 1885
To the Register & Receiver


I hereby certify that the accompanying Final Proof of Zenophile Lanctot was made in due form before me on August 22 _1885 that I was absent from Charles Mix County on date advertised and until August 22 the date to which all official business before the court was adjourned, and this proof was made on August 22 _1885 the day set for it and, on the first opportunity after date advertised.


[Adam Grimes]
Probate Judge
Charles Mix County
Dakota
==========================


It kind of makes you wonder where he was for the time between August 17 and August 22.  If I didn't already have so many things on my to-do list, I might actually try to figure out where he was and what he was doing.  Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to put anything new on my to-do list until I cross off enough items to get it down to only ONE gajillion.  That's a new rule.


Tomorrow ... Witness testimony!  Hooray!