Right to exclusive possession in applicant or contractor

Every person who has applied to the State of Nevada to purchase any land from the State, or who has contracted with the State of Nevada for such purchase, or who may hereafter apply to or contract with the State of Nevada, in good faith, for the purchase of any of its public land, and who has paid or shall pay to the proper state officers the amount of money requisite under such application or contract, shall be deemed and held to have the right to the exclusive possession of the land described in such application or contract, provided no actual adverse possession thereof existed in another at the date of the application.