A person desiring to establish a ferry across any watercourse, whether it be a stream bounding the state or not, who owns or has contracted for the use of land at the point at which he wishes to establish the same, may present his application for the privilege to the county court of the county, or either of the counties, in or from which he desires to establish such ferry. But notice that the application has been presented, or of the intention to present the same, shall be posted at the front door of the courthouse, and three other public places in the district, in or from which such ferry is proposed, three weeks at least before the application is acted upon.