Document: 333 U.S. 586 68 S.Ct. 702 92 L.Ed. 894 SHADEv.DOWNING et al. No. 448. Argued Feb. 11, 1948. Decided April 5, Mr. Kelly Brown, of Muskogee, Okl., for Peggy Shade. Forrester Brewster, Lucy Downing and others. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 The Circuit Court Appeals Tenth Circuit, acting under Judicial Code § 239, 28 U.S.C. 346, U.S.C.A. has certified following question our determination: '(1) Is United States a necessary party to proceeding determine heirship deceased citizen allottee Five Civilized Tribes brought Act June 14, 1918, 40 Stat. 606?' 2 On January 4, 1935, County Cherokee County, Oklahoma, decreed that sole only heirs Thompson Downing, full-blood Cherokee, were his three daughters, appellees below. Some time thereafter Shade this suit in an Oklahoma court claim, as heir Downing's second wife, undivided one-fourth interest allotted lands. She attacked 1935 decree on ground, among others, no notice pendency proceedings had been served Superintendent 12, 1926, 44 240—241.1 Notice present action was duly upon hism otion cause removed District Eastern Oklahoma. Judgment entered defendants 6, 1945, holding not proceedings, 1926 validity decree. appeal, below above determination. 3 606, 25 §§ 375, 355, 355,2 vested courts jurisdiction restricted Indian lands entertain partition such lands.3 See 2. It is jurisdictional statute (see v. Hellard, 322 363, 365, 64 985, 986, 88 1326) leaves open whether or indispensable either section. 4 We held supra, Act. That based direct important interests government course outcome flowing from statutory restrictions alienation Lands partitioned kind Indians remain Thus States, guardian Indians, directly interested obtaining kind, where conforms its policy preserving or, if sale desirable, insuring best possible price obtained. Moreover, are both tax-exempt, it reinvestment proceeds similarly tax-exempt 30, 1932, 47 474, 409a, 409a. And there further protecting preferential right Secretary Interior purchase land another 26, 1936, 49 1967, 502. For these reasons we even absent requirement effect. 5 Heirship however, quite different considerations. They involve governmental dignity those involved proceedings. Restrictions do prevent inheritance. at page 365 U.S., 986 Death operates remove alienation; determination does itself land.4 involves 'a fact who any Tribes.'5 As such, little more than identification by law entitled affect itself. Important may be stability Land titles,6 they primary immediate parties. is, indeed, hardly stakeholder litigation. 6 distinction between which recognized pages 366, S.Ct., 987. adhere it.7 Accordingly answered 'No.' 7 So ordered. 8 Question answered. 9 REED, FRANKFURTER JACKSON would answer affirmative because, their view, purpose Congress permit intervention cases member therefore Sec. Act, so far material here, provides: 'Any one parties State grantees parties, plaintiff, defendant, intervenor, claiming claim title proceeds, issues, rents, profits derived same, serve written Tribes, appear said within twenty days thereafter, extended trial discretion permit, after appearance expiration extension thereof judgment shall bind thereto same extent though involved. * Provided, service be, hereby given pending district filing petition removal into court, pending, together with copy pleadings hereinbefore provided. then duty accept proceed suit. *' Rice, 327 742, 66 835, 90 982; Cf. Pub.L. 336, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. (Aug. 1947) 3(c); H.R.Rep. 740, Sess., p. 4. 'That die have heretofore died, leaving heirs, probate having settle estate deceased, conducted manner provided laws closing up estates persons, conclusive question. members made subject providing real estate. Any Indian, conveyed him election take appraisement, all taxation prior partition. In case decree, partition, conveyance thereunder operate relieve described every character.' isw ell-settled authority select state agencies perform functions. provides part: 'The death allottee's land: hereafter section acquired inheritance devise valid unless approved county settlement testator. also Aug. 1947, 1, 61 731. before us obtain approval deed 1918 note 2, supra. Sen.Rep. 330, 65th 2d 1. Subsequent institution decision Hellard case, marked should exclusive jui sdiction actions 3(a) (b) 732. July 59 313, 314, order, subsequent 1945 involving inherited enrolled unenrolled nor pursuant invalid because process connection therewith.

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