Sumner v. Coleman

The facts of this case may be learned mostly from the cases of Verden v. Coleman, 4 Ind. 457; S. C. 10 Ind. 552; and Sumner v. Coleman, 20 Ind. 486. But the point now presented has not before been decided by this court. That question is, who acquired the title from the United States to the south-west fractional quarter of section 31, in township 26, north of range 9 west, in Indiana? Was it Hannaniah Hewitt, or the Indian chief, Topenehe ?

In 1832, the legal title was in the United States. In the early part of that year, Hewitt settled on the land as a preemptioner, made improvements as…