Jones v. Prairie Oil & Gas Co., 273 U.S. 195 (1927)

Jones v. Prairie Oil and Gas Company

No. 109

Argued January 11, 1927
Decided January 24, 1927
273 U.S. 195

APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA

Syllabus

1. Notice of an application of a mother to be appointed guardian of the estate of her child, an infant under twelve in the mother’s custody, is not required by the Fourteenth Amendment. P. 198.

2. A clerical error in the posted notice of such an application will not invalidate the proceedings if not misleading. P. 198.

3. A state statute permitting a guardian to make oil and gas leases lasting beyond the minority of the ward cannot, in view of the fugitive subject matter, be deemed unconstitutional. P. 198.

4. Congress has power to remove a restriction against alienation of a patented homestead allotment of a minor Creek Indian. P. 199.

5. A state statute governing the procedure for leasing a ward’s real estate is to be taken by this Court as construed by the state courts, even when such construction supplants an earlier one relied on as a rule of property. P. 199.

Affirmed.

Appeal from a decree of the district court dismissing a bill to set aside oil and gas lease and for an account.