§ 211. Lands held under written contract. Where lands have been
escheated to the state and the person last seized was a citizen or
capable of taking and holding real property the commissioner shall
fulfill any contract made by such person or by any person from whom his
title is derived, in respect to the sale of such lands, so far only as
to convey the right and title of the state, pursuant to such contract,
without any covenants of warranty or otherwise, and shall allow all
payment which may have been made on such contracts. If any part of such
escheated land has been occupied under a verbal agreement for the
purchase thereof, and the occupants have made valuable improvements
thereon, such agreement shall be as valid and effectual as if it were in
writing.