United States v. Glacier County

62 F. Supp. 27, 1945 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1910

• Court: District Court, D. Montana
• Decided: March 16, 1945
• Docket: No. 531
• Status: Published

Opinion

PRAY, District Judge.

The Court has considered the briefs filed in the above entitled cause by counsel for the plaintiff and defendants Manley and wife in support of and in opposition to their motion to dismiss and to strike certain matters contained in the complaint.

After consideration of the pleadings and briefs, in the opinion of the court, the important question here is to determine whether the fee patent was issued on the application or with the consent of the Indian ward, Florence Samples Hall. It has been held by the Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that “consent is the crucial issue to be determined.” United States v. Nez Perce County, Idaho, 95 F.2d 232, 235. The same rule was laid down in other similar cases decided in our own Circuit. Whether application was made or consent given by the patentee will depend upon the forthcoming evidence to be submitted at the trial, at which time the questions raised by the motion may be renewed. Good cause appearing therefor, the motions to dismiss and to strike by the defendant Manley ana his wife and by Glacier County, both being identical, are hereby overruled and denied, with 20 days to answer upon receipt of notice hereof.