53 P. 106 | Idaho | 1898
— This is an action of ejectment. The plaintiffs and the principal defendant are Nez Perces Indians, who have received allotments of land in severalty, and patents for the land so allotted. A dispute as to boundary lines of the lands severally allotted to and patented to them having arisen between the plaintiffs and the principal defendant, the former brought their action of ejectment to recover the possession of the land in question, in the district court of Nez Perces county. To the complaint of the plaintiffs, defendants filed a demurrer raising the question of jurisdiction. Defendants (appellants here) insist that the state courts have no' jurisdiction of either the parties or the subject matter. This is the only question involved in this case. The demurrer of appellants was overruled by the district court, and judgment entered in favor of plaintiffs, 'defendants having declined to answer. From this judgment appeal is taken by the defendants to this court.
Section 6 of the act of Congress of February 8th is as follows: "That upon the completion of said allotments and the patenting of the lands to said allottees, each and every member of the respective bands or tribes of Indians to whom allotments have