The south line of section 3 seems to have migrated over the years. It may have something to do with the small pond that the southeast corner currently falls in. My best guess at this time is that the original GLO survey placed that corner south of the pond by about 100 feet or so, I need to do some more work to confirm this.
In 2000 my predecessor did a survey of the section and found the south 1/4 and SW corner to be within reason of the GLO notes. He also found the SE corner in the pond but the bearing and distance is significantly different from the GLO notes making about a 2 degree break at the 1/4 corner. My only complaint is that none of the corners are identified on the survey. I haven't found the field notes yet. I have a box full of field books that are numbered 1 through 152 but none I looked through yet have page numbers, dates or who was there. That may be a story for another time.
Today the 1/4 corner is missing. There is a small area of disturbed earth with a handful of small rocks hidden by what I determined to be a "planted" tumbleweed. I should have got a picture. After searching for a couple hours I found the 40d nails used as control points for the 2000 survey. I ran from them to the 1/4 corner as shown on the survey and hit in the disturbance. While stumbling around the area I found another 1/4 corner about 110 feet at 307 degrees azimuth from the disturbance. I'll tie that in later but preliminary calcs say it will be pretty close to a single proportion between the section corners. The PLS # on it was first registered in 2001, and is currently expired.
For fencing, there is a meandering BW fence along the section line which is fairly straight along the west half but seems to chase the moving section corner to the east. It takes off pretty much on the same bearing but then drifts a little to the north for a ways. Once in sight of the pond it takes a good kink in that direction. From the disturbance the fence runs south as far as the eye can see, at least a half mile. I am pretty sure the disturbance used to contain a relied upon corner.
This should get more interesting.
... and then the fun started!!
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So now I have obtained some older surveys.
This has been going on since the late 1980's or early 1990's. The older surveys are reporting original stones. I just hope to find enough common points to trace some footsteps backwards and probably around in confused circles.
I noticed some angle iron brace posts which seemed to be out in the middle of the field for no apparent reason and asked the neighbor about them. He said "I don't have any idea, but I'm going to rip them out pretty soon." I shot them and now I know what they are. There is an easement for utility and ingress/egress called for in his deed and those brace posts would be on the easement line if the quarter corner had not moved. :dog: on the trail.