1862
promoted settlement of west
160acre plots claim $10
over 21, ex-slaves, ex-soldiers
80million acres were settled
60% failed
1/2 nebraska homesteaded
Homesteaders
isolated
no medication
no trees - buffalo chips
weather
dense roots, ploughts would break = steel ploughs
1854 self governing windmill
1870 steel blades
1873 timber culture act
1874 barbed wire