I doubt if this device ever got manufactured or used, but it was an ingenious idea to be used during the Oklahoma land rush. It was intended to help put an end to contested or disputed land claims. The inventor, David P. Marum, resided at the Fort Supply in the county of Cherokee Outlet in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Marum certainly would profit greatly from the idea since it was proposed to place one marker on every quarter section of land.
The settler would have to wait his turn in line at the land office and then be issued a letter/numbered check coin (shown in blue) and a key. The settler would then go select his land and place the coin in the slot (shown in red). The key would then unlock the top portion of the device which would allow a flag to be raised. The shaft attached to the flag would then be lowered to prevent any other check coins from being placed in the slot. The land officer had another key that would open the lower lock to retrieve the check coin and record that the proper person had laid claim to that land. Squatters and "Sooners" were then prevented from setting up false claims since to secure proof of first occupancy the settler had to be in line to receive his check and key.
Enjoy!
J.
Very cool Jerry.
I don't think I ever saw one of these in any of the old land rush movies!
They have a hard enough time getting parking meters to work now, I can't imagine ever creating and building working models of these back in the 1800's.
Kurt