United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Louisiana v. Mississippi, 282 U.S. 458 (1931)

Louisiana v. Mississippi

No. 8, original

Argument commenced and suspended, and cause referred

to a Special Master, October 8, 1928

Submitted on defendant's exceptions to the report

of the Special Master, January 5, 1931

Decided February 2, 1931

282 U.S. 458

Syllabus

1. In a suit to establish a part of the boundary line of Louisiana and Mississippi between Willow Point and adjacent territory in the former and Township 9 North, Range 8 West, in the latter state, where the Mississippi River forms what is known as Albemane Bend, the Court, after an examination of the documentary and oral evidence, sustains the master in finding:

(1) That changes in the course of the river which occurred at the place in question between the years 1823 and 1912-13, by which a considerable area was added to the Louisiana shore, were by gradual erosions and accretions, and not by avulsions. P. 282 U. S. 462.

(2) That a change in 1912-13 by which the river, shifting to the west, cut off a large part of this area was due to an avulsion. P. 282 U. S. 465.

(3) That Mississippi did not by possession or exercise of sovereignty or dominion acquire right or title to the disputed territory. P. 282 U. S. 466.

2. Upon these facts, the boundary is the thread of the main channel of the river as it was immediately prior to the avulsion of 1912-13. P. 282 U. S. 467.

Final hearing of an original suit to establish part of an interstate boundary.

Page 282 U. S. 459