Land Office at Little Rock ARK, Dec 10, 1881
Mr Alexander GORDON has this day paid two dollars, the Register's and Receiver's fees, to file a Declaratory Statement, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged.
Mr Alexander GORDON having paid the fees, has this day filed in this Office his Declaratory Statement, No. 537 for NW & SE & NE SW section 18 township 9N of range 14 W containing 80 acres settled upon Dec 1st, 1881

Receiver's Receipt No. 13317
Receiver's office Little Rock ARK Aug 18, 1882
Received of Alexander GORDON the sum of seven dollars; being the amount of fee and compensation of Register and Receiver for the entry of NW SE & NE SW of Section 18 in Township 9 North of Range 14 West, under Section No. 2290, Revised Statutes of the United States. C.E. KELSEY, Receiver $7.00

Application No. 13317 Homestead form
I, Alexander GORDON of Conway County ARK do hereby apply to enter, under Section 2239, Revised Statutes of the United States, the NW SE 4 & NE SW 4 of Section 18, in Township 9N of Range 14W, containing 80 acres. Alexander GORDON
Land Office at Little Rock ARK August 18, 1882. I, M.W. GIBBS, Register of the Land Office, do hereby certify that the above application is for surveyed Lands of the class which the applicant is legally entitled to enter under Section 2289, Revised Statutes of the United States, and that there is no prior valid adverse right to the same. M.W. GIBBS, Register.

Non Mineral Affidavit
County of Conway State of Arkansas
Alexander GORDON being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the identical person who is an applicant for Government title to the NW SE 4 & NE SW 4 of section 18 township 9N Range 14 W containing 80 acres of land that he is well acquainted with the character of said described land, and with each and every legal subdivision thereof, having frequently passed over the same; that his knowledge of said land is such as to enable him to testify understandingly with regard thereto; that there is not, to his knowledge, within the limits thereof, any vein or lode of quartz or other rock in place, bearing gold, silver, cinnabar, lead, tin or copper, or any deposit of coal; that there is not within the limits of said land, to his knowledge, any placer, cement, gravel, or other valuable mineral deposit; that no portion of said land is claimed for mining purposes under the local customs or rules of miners or otherwise; that no portion of said land is worked for mineral during any part of the year by any person or persons; that said land is essentially non-mineral land, and that his application therefore is not made for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining title to mineral land, but with the object of securing said land for agricultural purposes. Alexander GORDON (signed)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 17th day of August A.D. 1882 and I hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit was read to the said Alexander GORDON previous to his name being subscribed thereto; and that deponent is a respectable person to whose affidavit full faith and credit should be given.

Homestead Affidavit form
I, Alexander GORDON, of Conway County ARK having filed my application, No. 13317 for an entry under Section No. 2289 Revised Statutes of the United States do solemnly swear I am a citizen of the United States, over 21 years old, the head of a family. I reside on the land applied for & have a favorable improvement on the same & owing to the distance, expense & other good cause I am unable to go to Little Rock to make this affidavit before the required Recr. I am the same person who made D.S. No. 537 Dec 10, 1882 & deserve to have the time that I have lived on the land deducted from the five years residence required under the ___ at law, that said application No. 3317 is made for the purpose of actual settlement and cultivation; that said entry is made for my own exclusive benefit, and not directly or indirectly for the benefit or use of any other person or persons whomsoever; and that I have not heretofore had the benefit of the homestead laws. Alexander GORDON (signed) Sworn to and subscribed this 17th day of August 1882, before F.J. WILLS, Clerk of Circuit Court.

Homestead, Pre-Emption, and Commutation Proof form - Testimony of Witness:
Question 1 - What is your true name (christian and surname), given in full, your age, residence, and present post-office address? (Give description of land on which you reside, quarter section, township and range)
Answer - John SMITHEE, aged 67 years, P.O. Centre Ridge SE 1/4 of section 12 township 9 N range 15 West
Question 2 - What is your present occupation, and where and by whom have you been employed since Aug 18, 1882, the date of claimant's alleged settlement on said tract?
Answer - Farming on above described land.
Question 3 - Are you related to claimant or in any way interested in this claim, or are you connected with him in business of any kind? 
Question 4 - How far from the residence of claimant, on said tract, do you reside, and how long have you lived there?
Answer - One & 1/4 miles and have lived here 7 years
Question 5 - Give the names and residences of two or more persons living nearer to the claimant of this tract than yourself. If none are nearer than you, give the names of two or more next nearest, and state the land on which they reside.
Answer - Joe HALBROOK S 1/2 of SE 1/4 S 12 T 9N R 15 W. Jno HALBROOK S 1/2 of NW & W 1/2 of SW 1/4 sec 12 T 9N R 15 West
Question 6 - How long have you known Alexander GORDON the claimant for whom you appear as a witness, where has be been living since you first knew him up to the present time, and is he the identical person he represents himself to be?
Answer - 9 years. In Conway Co ARK and is the identical person he represents himself to be.
Question 7 - Are you well acquainted with the land embraced in this claim? Give correct description thereof; also state the extent of your knowledge, and how you know what you affirm.
Answer - I am. It is the NW 1/4 SE & NE 1/4 SW 1/4 section 18 township 9N range 14 West
Question 8 - How often have you been on this tract of land since claimant's alleged settlement thereon, at what time or times, and when did you last see him on the land?
Answer - A number of times. Last saw him on the land April 7, 1889
Question 9 - Is said tract within the limits of an incorporated town or selected site of a city or town or used in any way for trade or business?
Answer - No.
Question 10 - State specifically the character of this land-whether it is timber, prairie, grazing, farming, coal, or mineral land.
Answer - timbered lands
Question 11 - Are there any indications of coal, minerals, or salines on this land?
Answer - None that I have any knowledge of
Question 12 - Is it within any stock range or fence or other inclosure? If so, give the names of the parties owning or in any manner controlling such inclosure or range.
Answer - It is not used for stock range. About 25 acres fenced for cultivation.
Question 13 - If the land is timber land, state whether the timber, or any portion thereof, and what portion, if any, has been out or removed, and by whom.
Answer - It was all timbered when claimant entered it. Claimant has cut down the timber and cleared about 25 acres of same, used timber for ?
Question 14 - What is this land used for, and who (if any one) besides the claimant is in any manner interested in or uses or controls the land or claims the timber thereon?
Answer - For farming. No one besides claimant is interested in or controls the timber.
Question 15 - What has been claimant's occupation since you first knew him, and where has he been employed, and by whom?
Answer - Farming on this claim for himself until the fall of 1887 and has had this claim worked since then. He now lives on rented land near Centre Ridge.
Question 16 - Has he had any other living or boarding place than on this land during the existence of his present claim? If so, state where he has been living or stopping.
Answer - Since the fall of 1887 he has been living on rented land 2 miles from Centre Ridge prior to that time he lived on his claim and was never absent for over three days at any one time until time as above stated.
Question 17 - Does claimant's family reside on said land? When did they move thereon? How long have they lived there, and do they still reside thereon? If not, where do they reside?
Answer - They lived there with him from 1881 to fall of 1887. They now live with him near Centre Ridge about 5 miles from his claim.
Question 18 - Has claimant's family been absent from said land since moving thereon? If so, state how often, how long each time, and the cause of said absence or absences.
Answer - His family was never absent that I know of from this claim until the fall of 1887 as above stated.
Question 19 - State in full and in detail all the facts within your knowledge as to claimant's actual residence upon this claim; when and how often you have seen him upon the land; what were the evidence that he actually lived on the tract; how long he has lived there, and whether he lives there now.
Answer - He has built a good box house, built a stable and has cleared and fenced about 25 acres of land. Have seen him on the land often and seen him at work improving the place. He lived there from 1881 to 1887. He does not live there now but lives 2 miles West of Centre Ridge which is about 5 miles from his claim.
Question 20 - If claimant has been absent from said land since his alleged settlement, state fully how often, when, how long each time and for what purpose.
Answer - He was never absent from this claim for more than 3 days and nights at any one time up to the fall of 1887. I believe he moved off there thinking he could make a better living and that he had lived on the claim the full time required by law.
Question 21 - State in detail the character of the improvements; what they consist of, and when they were made; the value of each distinct improvement, fully describing the same; also whether they were made by the claimant or by some other person.
Answer - A one room log house about 14X16 built in 1881 but don't know who built it, worthless now. Claimant built a one room box house with porch on each since in 1886 of size 14X16 ft worth $75.00, a log stable worth $100, cleared and fenced about 25 acres of land worth about $6.00 per acre to clear and fence.
Question 22 - Give the size, construction, and material of claimant's house on said tract, and also state whether the same is habitable during all seasons of the year.
Answer - A one room box house 14X16 with porch on each side covered with oak boards and is habitable at all seasons of the year.
Question 23 - What is this land worth, and was it ever offered for sale?
Answer - In 1881, in the fall I think.
Question 25 - How much of said land has been broken, how much plowed since being broken, and how much put into crop each season? State kind of crops raised, their value, and number of seasons crops were raised.
Answer - 25 acres broken and plowed, about 4 acres to first year and about 5 acres more each year to 1887 and put in crop, the whole 25 acres in crop last season, raised corn, cotton every year and wheat & oats. Don't know the value of the crops raised each year, 7 crops raised on the land.
Question 26 - Is said land in crops this season, or has it been prepared for cropping the coming season?
Answer - Yes.
Question 27 - Do you believe that claimant intends to continue his residence on this land after making final proof, or does he intend to remove therefrom?
Answer - I believe that he intended to move back on this claim and make it his home.
Question 28 - Does claimant, with his family, reside on said land at the present time? You will explain how you know he has resided there, as you have heretofore stated.
Answer - No. They nov live with him on rented land about 2 miles from Centre Ridge.
John SMITHEE (his mark)

Homestead, Pre-Emption, and Commutation Proof - Testimony of Witness:
Question 1 - What is your true name (christian and surname), given in full, your age, residence, and present post-office address? (Give description of land on which you reside, quarter section, township, and range.)
Answer - Emory Austin FOSTER, 32 years old, P.O. Centre Ridge ARK on E 1/2 NE 1/4 & NW NE & NE NW sec 8 T9 Range 14W
Question 2 - What is your present occupation and where and by whom have you been employed since Aug 1889, the date of claimant's alleged settlement on said tract?
Answer - Farming in Conway Co ARK
Question 3 - Are you related to claimant or in any way interested in this claim, or are you connected with him in business of any kind?
Answer - No.
Question 4 - How far from the residence of claimant, on siad tract, do you reside, and how long have you lived there?
Answer - 1 1/2 miles. 7 years.
Question 5 - Give the names and residences of two or more persons living nearer to the claimant of this tract than yourself. If none are nearer than you, give the names of two or more next nearest, and state the land on which they reside.
Answer - P.C. BOWMAN and Wm NIX both live in same section I do.
Question 6 - How long have you known Alexander GORDON, the claimant, for whom you appear as a witness, where has he been living since you first knew him up to the present time, and is he the identical person he represents himself to be?
Answer - First year I knew him he lived 1 mile West of Centre Ridge. 9 years he lived on his claim until Sept or Oct 1887 and is the identical Alexander GORDON.
Question 7 - Are you well acquainted with the land embraced in this claim? Give correct description thereof; also state the extent of your knowledge, and how you know what you affirm.
Answer - Yes. It is the NW 1/4 SE & NE SW sec 18 T 9N 14W. Have known the land 9 years and have frequently been over it and by a residence of about 1 1/2 miles from said tract.
Question 8 - How often have you been on this tract of land since claimant's alleged settlement thereon, at what time or times, and when did you last see him on the land?
Answer - Often. Saw him there 2 weeks ago yesterday.
Question 9 - Is said tract within the limits of an incorporated town or selected site of a city or town, or used in any way for trade or business?
Answer - No.
Question 10 - State specifically the character of this land-whether it is timber, prairie, grazing, farming, coal, or mineral land.
Answer - Timbered land.
Question 11 - Are there any indications of coal, minerals, or salines on this land?
Answer - Not that I know of
Question 12 - Is it within any stock range or fence or other inclosure? If so, give the names of the parties owning or in any manner controlling such inclosure or range.
Answer - No. About 25 acres fenced for cultivation.
Question 13 - If the land is timber land, state whether the timber, or any portion thereof, and what portion, if any, has been cut or removed, and by whom?
Answer - All timbered when claimant entered it. About 25 acres cut down & removed by claimant in clearing and fencing and for feed.
Question 14 - What is this land used for, and who (if any one) besides the claimant is in any manner interested in or uses or controls the land or claims the timber thereon?
Answer - For farming. Claimant alone owns and controls the land and claims the timber.
Question 15 - What has been claimant's occupation since you first knew him, and where has he been employed, and by whom?
Answer - Farming on his claim up to fall of 1887 for himself and is now farming on rented land near Centre Ridge.
Question 16 - Has he had any other living or boarding place than on this land during the existence of his present claim? If so, state where he has been living or stopping.
Answer - Up to fall of 1887 he lived and boarded nowhere else but in this claim. Since then he has been renting land near Centre Ridge.
Question 17 - Does claimant's family reside on said land? When did they move thereon? How long have they lived there, and do they still reside thereon? If not, where do they reside?
Answer - No, but did live there from 1881 to fall of 1887. They now live with him near Centre Ridge.
Question 18 - Has claimant's family been absent from said land since moving thereon? If so, state how often, how long each time, and the cause of said absence or absences.
Answer - They were never absent from this claim from 1881 to 1887 that I know of. They now live off of said claim as above stated.
Question 19 - State in full and in detail all the facts within your knowledge as to claimant's actual residence upon this claim; when and how often you have seen him upon the land; what were the evidences that he actually lived on the tract; how long he has lived there, and whether he lives there now.
Answer - I have seen him on the place often at work improving same, built houses etc. He lived there from 1881 to fall of 1887. He now lives in rented land near Centre Ridge.
Question 20 - If claimant has been absent from said land since his alleged settlement, state fully how often, when, how long each time, and for what purpose.
Answer - He was never absent that I know of from this claim at all until the fall of 1887 and moved off then hoping to better his circumstances.
Question 21 - State in detail the character of the improvements; what they consist of, and when they were made; the value of each distinct improvement, fully describing the same; also whether they were made by the claimant or by some other person.
Answer - One box house 14X16 ft with porch on each side covered with boards built in 1886 by claimant worth $40.00, one log stable same year by claimant worth $10.00, cleared and fenced about 25 acres of land worth $5.00 per acre to clear & fence.
Question 22 - Give the size, construction, and material of claimant's house on said tract, and also state whether the same is habitable during all seasons of the year.
Answer - A plank box house 14X16 ft with porch on each side covered with boards and is habitable at all seasons of the year.
Question 23 - What is this land worth, and was it ever offered for sale?
Answer - Worth #300.00 never offered for sale that I ever heard of.
Question 24 - When did calimant commence living upon this land?
Answer - In 1881. I think in the fall.
Question 25 - How much of said land has been broken, how much plowed since being broken, and how much put into crop each season? State kind of crops raised, their value, and number of seasons crops were raised.
Answer - 25 acres broken and plowed, 5 acres first year and five each year thereafter until the 25 acres put in. The last 5 was cleared in winter of 1886 & spring of 1887. Raised corn, cotton and oats but don't know value, 7 crops in all raised.
Question 26 - Is said land in crops this season, or has it been prepared for cropping the coming season?
Answer - Yes.
Question 27 - Do you believe that claimant intends to continue his residence on this land after making final proof, or does he intend to remove therefrom?
Answer - I don't know.
Question 28 - Does claimant, with his family, reside on said land at the present time? You will explain how you know he has resided.
Answer - No, but did until fall 1887. I know that he and family lived there up to that time because have frequently seen them there and have also seen him at work improving etc.
Emery FOSTER (signature of witness)

Homestead, Pre-emption, and Commutation Proof - Testimony of Claimant
Alexander GORDON, claimant, being first duly sworn, testifies as follows:
Question 1 - What is your correct name, your age, and occupation? If employed by any person, state by whom.
Answer - Alexander GORDON, 33 years old and farmer.
Question 2 - What is your post-office address?
Centre Ridge Conway Co Arkansas
Question 3 - Are you the identical person who made homestead entry 13317 at the Little Rock land office on the 18th day of Aug 1882 and what is the true description of the land now claimed by you?
Answer - I am. It is the NW 1/4 SE 1/4 & NE 1/4 SW 1/4 section 18, T 9N R 14W
Question 4 - Where did you live before settling upon this land, and what was your occupation?
Answer - In Conway Co AR about 5 miles from this calim.
Question 5 - Are you a citizen of the United States, or have you declared you intention to become one.
Answer - I am a native born citizen of the U.S.
Question 6 - Are you interested in any other entry or filing than the one upon which you now seek to make proof?
Answer - No.
Question 7 - Have you ever made a pre-emption filing for any other tract of land, or made any other homestead entry or filing or entry of any kind? (Answer each question separately, describe the land, state what dispostiton you made of your claim.)
Answer - No.
Question 8 - Is your present claim within the limits of an incorporated town or selected site of a city or town, or used in any way for trade and business.
Answer - No.
Question 9 - What is the character of the land? Is it timber, mountainous, prairie, grazing, or ordinary agricultural land? State its kind and quality, and for what purpose it is most valuable.
Answer - Timber land. Post oak, red oak, black oak, black jack, a little hickory, scrubby character, most valuable for farming.
Question 10 - Is the land valuable for coal, iron, stone or mineral of any kind? Has any coal or other minerals been discovered thereon, or is any coal or mineral known to be contained therein? Are there any indications of coal, salines, or mineral of any kind on the land? If so, describe what they are.
Answer - None of either to my knowledge.
Question 11 - If the land is timber land, state the kind, quality and amount of timber thereon at date of initiating your claim, the amount still standing, how much has been cut and removed, and by whom, and whether the same has been disposed of, and to whom; also whether any other person than yourself has any interest in the timber, and if so, what kind of interest.
Answer - It was all timbered. Quality & character as in answer No. 9, about 55 acres still standing, 25 acres cut & removed by me, used timber for making ___ and fuel. No one besides myself has any claim or interet in timber.
Question 12 - If the land is used for grazing purposes, state how and by whom it is so used, and whehter it is within any stock range or fence or other inclosure, and who owns or controls the range or inclosue.
Answer - Not used for grazing purposes. I have 25 acres fenced for cultivation and is owned by me alone.
Question 13 - When did you first make an actual personal settlement on this land? State what you did to make such settlement, and the character and value of the improvements you then placed upon the land.
Answer - About Dec of 81, believed about 5 acres land worth $2.50 per acre. Built a stable worth $10.00.
Question 14 - Was the land occupied by any other person when you made such settlement? If so, state who lived there, and how you obtained possession.
Answer - John BURNETT built a 14X16 log house on this claim in the summer of 1881 but never lived in it. I bought of him the improvements.
Question 15 - When did you actually move on this land and commence living permanently thereon?
Answer - Dec 1 of 1881.
Question 16 - Where has been your actual personal residence and home during the whole time since the date of this filing or entry?
Answer - On this dlaim until Sept 1887. Since then have lived near Centre Ridge which is about 5 1/2 miles from this claim.
Question 17 - Has your residence on the land now claimed been actual or constructive, continuous or at intervals? Explain what you mean by actual continuous residence.
Answer - I lived on this claim continuously and all the time up to last of Sept 1887. And from that time have had the land cultivated and have been backwards and forwards on claim averaging once a month.
Question 18 - Have you resided or boarded elsewhere than on this land since commencing your residence thereon? If so, state when and where, how often, and for how long?
Answer - One winter I worked at a gin about 6 miles away for about a month but went home every Friday night. Have never boarded or resided elsewhere up to Sept 1887. Since then have lived near Centre Ridge as stated in answer No. 16
Question 19 - Where have you voted since establishing residence on this land, and where did you last vote, and how long have you voted there?
Answer - Centre Ridge Conway Co ARK and since 1881.
Question 20 - How many times have you been absent from said tract since you commenced actual residence thereon? Give the dates when each absence commenced and terminated and the cause therefore.
Answer - Was never absent for more than a week at a time up to Sept 1887. I then moved to near Centre Ridge in order to get work and rented out the place believing I had complied with the law in living on the claim 5 years from date of application.
Question 21 - Have you a family and of whom does your family consist?
Answer - Yes. Wife and five children.
Question 22 - Has your family resided with you on this claim? If so, state when they moved on the land, how long they have lived there, and whether they actually reside there still.
Answer - Yes and moved on claim with me about Dec 1 of 81 and lived there as long as I did.
Question 23 - If your family has been absent any part of the time since moving on the land, state the causes for and the dates when each absence commenced and terminated.
Answer - They were never absent from claim up to Sept 1887 the time I moved to Centre Ridge.
Question 24 - When and by whom was your house built? Is it habitable at all seasons of the year?
Answer - John Burnett built a small log house in 1881. In 1886 I built a good box house 14X16 and habitable all seasons.
Question 25 - Did you and your family live in said house during all of each or any winter since the date of your filing or entry? If not, state the duration and causes of each absence.
Answer - Yes. We have lived in both the old and new houses several winters.
Question 26 - If your family has not lived with you on this claim since the date of your filing or entry, state the causes therefore, where they did reside, and where they are now living.
Answer - They lived in this claim with me up to Sept 1887. They are now living near Centre Ridge with me about 5 1/2 miles from this claim.
Question 27 - Do you own any other residence house then the one now on your claim? If so, state where, and who occupies the same.
Answer - No, I do not.
Question 28 - Describe fully the house on this claim, giving value thereof; also describe fully all other improvements thereon of whatever kind, giving the value of each and total value of all improvements.
Answer - One log house 14X16 covered with boards, almost worthless now. The other a box house 14X16 with porch on each side covered with boards worth $60.00, one log stable worth $10.00, 25 acres land cleared worth $2.50 per acre and fenced same worth $2.50 per acre, total value of all improvements about $185.00.
Question 29 - What farm implements do you own and use on this claim? State kind and number, and how long you have owned the same.
Answer - Turning plows, shovels, hoes, etc, but can't state number of each, several worn out & worthless.
Question 30 - What domestic animals and livestock do you own and keep on this claim? State kind and number of each kind.
Answer - 28 head of hogs. I keep my horses and cattle where I now live near Centre Ridge.
Question 31 - State what articles of furniture of every kind you keep and use in your residence on this claim and how long you have had them there.
Answer - Where I lived on the claim I kept 2 bedsteads, 2 feather beds, 1 table, 2 chairs, cooking utensils, some bought when I moved there and others bought during the time.
Question 32 - Have you any personal property or livestock of any kind elsewerhe thatn on this calim? If so, describe the same, and state where the same is kept.
Answer - Yes. One mare, 5 head cattle and also the above described property now kept at place rented by me near Centre Ridge.
Question 33 - How many seasons have you raised crops on this land, and what kind of crops have you raised each season?
Answer - Six. Corn, cotton, potatoes & oats.
Question 34 - How many acres have you put in crops each year, and how much did you raise? State the amount in bushels of each kind.
Answer - 5 acres first year and averaged from 3 to 5 acres a year up to 1887. I kept no memoranda of quantity raised each year and can't state no. of bushels, crops were not up to the average, as were affected by dry weather.
Question 35 - Have you the land in crop this year, or is it prepared for cropping the coming season? How much of the land is so cropped or prepared? Question 35 - Have you the land in crop this year, or is it prepared for cropping the coming season? How much of the land is so cropped or prepared?
Answer - It was in crop about 25 acres in 1888 and is prepared for crop coming season.
Question 36 - Do you carry on any trade, profession, or business elsewhere than on this land? If so, state what business you have been engaged in while claiming this land, where it was carried on, and the distance from your claim.
Answer - I farmed on rented land near Centre Ridge last year and will this but up to Sep 1887 I had no other business or trade elsewhere than on this claim.
Question 37 - If you have been employed in working for others away from this claim since you established residence thereon, state when, where, and for whom, in what occupation or capacity, how long you have so worked, and where you stayed and lived during that time.
Answer - I worked at a gin one winter about one month but was home once a week and while absent boarded with Jno GORDON, my brother, worked for W.W. REED.

Homestead Proof - Final Affidavit Required of Homestead Claimants
I, Alexander GORDON, having made a Homestead entry of the NW 1/4 SE 1/4 & NE 1/4 SW 1/4 Section No. 18 in Township No. 9N of Range No. 14W, subject to entry at land office at Little Rock ARK under section No. 2289 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, do now apply to perfect my claim thereto by virtue of section No. 2291 of the Revised Statutes of the United States; and for that purpose do solemnly swear that I am a citizen of the United States; that I have made actual settlement upon and have cultivated said land, having resided thereon since the 10th day of Dec 1881 to the last of Sept 1887 but have had it cultivated up to the present time; that no part of said land has been alienated, except as provided in section 2288 of the Revised Statutes, but that I am the sole bona fide owner as an actual settler; that I will bear true allegiance to the Government of the United States; and further, that I have not heretofore perfected or abandoned an entry made under the homestead laws of the United Sttes.
Alexander GORDON (signed)
I, Jeff WRIGHT Clerk of Conway County ARK, Morrilton ARK, do hereby certify that the above affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before me this 22 day of April 1889. Jeff WRIGHT Co Clerk (signed)

State of Arkansas County of Conway
I, Jeff WRIGHT Clerk of Conway County do hereby certify that the Final Proof of Alexander GORDON and his two witnesses, John SMITHEE and Emory FOSTER was taken in the absence of the County Judge of said County, he being out of town at the time. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of my office on this the 22nd day of April 1889. Jeff WRIGHT County Clerk

Receiver's office, Little Rock ARK May 22, 1889
Received of Alexander GORDON the sum of five dollars forty seven cents, being the balance of payment required by law for the entry of NW 1/4 SE 1/4 and NE 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 18 in Township 9 North of Range 14 W containing 80 acres, under Section 2291 of the Revised Statutes of the United States. $5.47. A.J. QUINDLEY, Receiver (signed)

Land Office at Little Rock, ARK May 22, 1889
Final Certificate No. 5808, Application No. 13317
It is hereby certifed that pursuant to the provisions of Section No. 2291 Revised Statutes of the United States, Alexander GORDON has made payment in full for NW 1/4 of SE 1/4 & NE 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section No. 18, in Township No. 9 North, of Range No. 14 West, of the 5th Principal Meridian Arkansas, containing 80 acres. Now, therefore, be it known that on presentation of this Certificate to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, the said Alexander GORDON shall be entitled to a patent for the tract of land above described. R.T. YEAKLE, Register (signed)

Homestead Certificate
Certificate as to Posting of Notice
Land Office at Little Rock, ARK, May 22, 1889
I, R.T. YEAKLE, Register, do hereby certify that a notice, a printed copy of which is hereto attached, was by me posted in a conspicuous place in my office for a period of thirty days, I having first posted said notice on the 9 day of March 1889. R.T. YEAKLE, Register (signed)
(Copy of newspaper article was attached.)
The United States of America, To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas, There has been deposited in the General Land Office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Little Rock Arkansas, whereby it appears that, pursuant to the Act of Congress approved 20th May 1862, "To secure Homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain," and the acts supplemental thereto the claim of Alexander GORDON has been established and duly consummated in conformity to law, for the Northwest quarter of the Southeast quarter and the Northeast quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section eighteen in township nine North of Range fourteen West of the Fifth Principal Meridian in Arkansas containing eighty acres according to the official plat of the survey of the said land, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General: Now know ye, that there is, therfore, granted by the United States unto the said Alexander GORDON the tract of land above described; to thave and to hold the said tract of land, with the appurtenances whereof, unto the said Alexander GORDON and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In testimony whereof, I, Benjamin HARRISON, President of the United States of America, have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the thirty first day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety, and of the Independeance of the United States the one hundred and fourteenth. By the President: Benjamin HARRISON, by M.McKERN, Secretary.
J.M. TOWNSEND, Recorder of the General Land Office.