Whisky On The Allotment

An Omaha Indian, who had received an individual allotment and become a U.S. citizen, bought half a gallon of whisky outside the reservation and brought it to his home on his allotment, where he drank it and gave some to visitors. The United States still held title to the allotment in trust for him for a fixed period. He was prosecuted in federal court for introducing liquor into Indian country and convicted. The defence argued that as a citizen he was no longer a ward whom Congress could regulate this way, and that the state, not the United States, had jurisdiction over his land. The prosecution argued the trust allotment remained subject to federal liquor laws.