Range Line (PLSS)

clearcut · 2012-05-01T17:16:37Z

Picture this:1867, GLO does original survey of range line.1940, GLO performs dependant resurvey of range line. Recovers township corners on north and south ends of range line. Finds no evidence of any corners on range line itself. Distance and bearing between township corners is really good, amazingly good really. N0-09-30W, 480.7 chs.1940 GLO then proportions in the "lost" range line. However, they only monument the northern most 2 miles, as the focus of their work is to survey some federal interests in the lands in the northern sections.Fast forward to 1965. Private surveyor surveys the southernmost sections abutting the range line (section 36). Accepts a fence corner in a mound of rocks as being the corner common to sections 30,31,25 & 36. Private surveyor makes no mention of the 1940 GLO proportioned (but unmonumented) position for the same point. Fence corner is ~4 chains northerly (and somewhat east) of the 1940. GLO proportioned point. Multiple subsequent surveys use the fence corner for surveys done in Sections 30 & 36 in the bottom tiers of sections. No other surveys performed along the range line of record.Fast forward to today. Private owner wants to know where the 1/4 corner common to sections 13 and 18 is. Remember, the 1940 GLO only monumented the corners of the northern 2 miles.Using this information and assuming that no evidence is found of the 1967 GLO range line.Would you:1. Set the 1/4 corner S 13 & 18 at the proportioned position based on the 1940 GLO retracement and ignore the fence corner as having weight in the proportioning. 2. Set the 1/4 corner at the proportioned position based on the 1940 GLO work to the north and the "fence corner" to the south.3. Something else.For the sake of brevity in discussion, please consider that there is no evidence discovered other than the facts given. thanks,

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DeletedUser

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I agree with J. Penry. You need to search for original corners in the adjoining sections. I would also research all of the adjoining deed legal descriptions to see if any calls were made to a fence post or fence intersection. How old is the fence corner? I would ask the adjoining landowners if they know any history of the fence? Maybe someone helped grandpa eye ball it in when they were a kid. 4 chains is quite a bit of error along a Range Line.

Posted : May 2, 2012 11:50 am

don-blameuser

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All good points, J.P., but who knows what can go sideways when the deputies aren't as upright as you.

Recall what clearcut said: "Can't say the same for the 1860-80's GLO in this area. Tough bunch surveying tough ground. But a lying cheating bunch to be sure."

I don't know if you've ever had the opportunity to follow liars. Clearcut obviously has and so have I.

Don

Posted : May 2, 2012 6:28 pm

j-penry

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Don,

I have much experience following deputy surveyors who did not do their work, that is exactly how I typically know when things are wrong or when other surveyors who came later are wrong. Have you read any of my articles? I am also currently working on a book about this subject.

Jerry

http://www.profsurv.com/magazine/article.aspx?i=795

http://www.profsurv.com/magazine/article.aspx?i=811

http://www.amerisurv.com/content/view/4659/136/

http://www.amerisurv.com/content/view/4166/136/

http://www.amerisurv.com/content/view/4199/136/

http://www.amerisurv.com/content/view/4275/136/

http://www.amerisurv.com/content/view/4777/136/

http://www.amerisurv.com/content/view/4869/136/

Posted : May 3, 2012 6:19 am

don-blameuser

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