43 U.S.C. § 861 : US Code - Section 861: Preference right of selection granted certain Western States; bona fide settlers

Search 43 U.S.C. § 861 : US Code - Section 861: Preference right of selection granted certain Western States; bona fide settlers

The States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and
Washington shall have a preference right over any person or
corporation to select lands subject to entry by said States by the
Act of Congress approved February 22, 1889, for a period of sixty
days after lands have been surveyed and duly declared to be subject
to selection and entry under the general land laws of the United
States.
Such preference right shall not accrue against bona fide
homestead or preemption settlers on any of said lands at the date
of filing of the plat of survey of any township in any local land
office of said States.