In every case in which a homesteader under R.S. 41:501 through 509 was inducted into the armed services after his entry was allowed and died in service, his widow, if unmarried, or in case of her death or marriage, then his minor orphan children or his or their legal representatives, may proceed forthwith to make final proof upon the land so held by the deceased soldier and settler, and the death of such soldier while engaged in the service of the United States shall, in the administration of the homestead law, be construed to be equivalent to a performance of all requirements as to residence and cultivation for the full period of five years; and upon proof produced to the register of the land office by the widow, if unmarried, or in case of her death or marriage, then his minor orphan children or his or their legal representatives, that the applicant for patent is the widow, if unmarried, or in case of her death or marriage, his orphan children or his or their legal representatives, and that such soldier died while in the service of the United States as hereinbefore described, the patent for such land shall issue; provided that in such patent all mineral rights in the lands so patented shall be expressly reserved to the state of Louisiana, in pursuance of Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution.
Reference is to 1921 Constitution; see, now, Const. Art. 9, §4.
La. R.S. § 41:511