Case Name: S. F. Davis v. J. J. Terrell, Commissioner, et al.
Court: Supreme Court of Texas
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1907-01-23
Citations: 100 Tex. 291
Docket Number: No. 1621
Parties: S. F. Davis v. J. J. Terrell, Commissioner, et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Texas Reports
Volume: 100
Pages: 291–292

Head Matter:
S. F. Davis v. J. J. Terrell, Commissioner, et al.
No. 1621.
Decided January 23, 1907.
Mandamus—Jurisdiction—Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court can not entertain original jurisdiction in a proceeding for writ of mandamus against the head of a department of the state government when the right asserted depends on the determination of a question of fact. (P. 292.)
Land sold to relator Davis on condition of settlement, was declared forfeitured by the Land Commissioner for abandonment and thereafter sold to Heal. Mandamus to compel Davis’ reinstatement was sought by an original proceeding in the Supreme Court, which denied the fact of abandonment, and on this the respondents took issue.
James & Yeiser, for relator.
R. V. Davidson, Attorney-General, and Wm. E. Hawkins, Assistant, for respondent Terrell.
Nunn & Ward and J. E. Neal, for respondent Neal.

Opinion:
GAINES, Chief Justice.
This is a petition for a writ of mandamus to compel the Commissioner of the General Land Office to set aside a cancellation of awards of certain sections of school land which the relator had made application to purchase and which had been awarded to him.
Not only the petition but the answers show that the right of the case depends upon the determination of certain questions of fact, which thifi court has no power to determine. The case must therefore be dismissed for want of jurisdiction and it is accordingly so ordered.