Northmore v. Simmons

Prior to July 26, 1866, there was no congressional legislation authorizing the location or purchase of any of the mineral lands of the United States. Up to that time the location, working, and holding of mining claims upon the public lands was governed exclusively by the local rules and regulations of the respective mining districts, and such state legislation as was enacted with respect thereto by the states in which the lauds were located. Jennison v. Kirk, 98 U. S. 453, 457. On the 261 h of July, 1866, congress passed an act entitled “An act granting the right of wa.y to ditch and canal…