United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

First Moon v. White Tail and United States, 270 U.S. 243 (1926)

First Moon v. White Tail and United States

No.191

Argued January 29, 1926

Decided March 1, 1926

270 U.S. 243

Syllabus

1 A decision of the Secretary of the Interior determining who are the heirs of an Indian allottee who died intestate after receiving his trust patent under the General Allotment Act and before issuance of a fee simple patent, is made conclusive by the Act of June 10, 1910, and the district court is without jurisdiction to reexamine it for alleged error of law. So held in a suit against an adverse claimant and the United States. P. 270 U. S. 243.

2. The Act of December 21, 1911, amending § 24 of the Judicial Code and conferring on district courts jurisdiction of actions involving the right of persons of Indian blood or decent to allotment, was but a codification of earlier provisions, and refers to original allotments claimed under some law or treaty, and not to disputes concerning the heirs of one who held a valid and unquestioned allotment. P. 270 U. S. 244.

Affirmed.

Appeal from a decree of the district court dismissing, for want of jurisdiction, a bill to establish an interest in an Indian allotment.