United States Department of the InteriorOffice of Indian AffairsWashington Jul 18 1927The HonorableThe Secretary of the Interior.Sir:

Herewith are transmitted for consideration the papers in the matter of the estate of Captain Chiquito or Chiquito Bullis, deceased member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe in the State of Arizona.

The records of the Office show that there was allotted to the heirs of Captain Chiquito the SE/4 of the SE/4 of Section 6, and the SW/4 of the SW/4 of Section 5, the NE/4 of the NE/4 of Section 7, and the NW/4 of the NW/4 of Section 8, all in township 7 south, range 17 east, of the Gila and Salt River Meridian, containing 160 acres. This allotment was made under the act of February 8, 1887 (24 Stat. 388), as amended and trust patent issued to the heirs of Captain Chiquito March 26, 1920. The testimony shows that Captain Chiquito was identical with Chiquito Bullis.

There are no inherited interests and no homestead rights involved. The report of the Superintendent shows to the credit of the estate $200 derived from rental of the allotment and on deposit in the Treasury of the United States.

According to the evidence adduced at the hearing concluded February 26, 1926, and the supplemental hearing under date of June 28, 1927, the decedent died May 17, 1919, at the age of about 78 years, intestate, married, and with issue. According to the testimony he had been married six times. His wives were Josepha Bullis, Carrie Lane, Gooegula, Rough Mohave, Mary Bullis, and Laura Patton. He was divorced from all of these wives except Mary Bullis, by Indian custom. All the marriages were by Indian custom. The dates of such marriages and the dates of the divorces are not given, but the marriages occurred "long ago" and the divorce occurred "long ago." It appears that he was living with Mary Bullis at the time of his death. Josepha Bullis was living when decedent died and contended that she was taken back by the decedent and that she should share in his estate, but the evidence does not warrant holding that she was the wife of the decedent at the time of his death. She died last winter.

He was survived by two children, Alonzo (Lon) Bullis and Elin Bullis. All other children had previously died. He was also survived by the children of his prior deceased son, John Bullis, being Joseph Bullis, and Jennie Bullis; also by Edward Bullis and Lyon or George Bullis, the children of his prior deceased son, Rex Bullis. It further appears that he was survived by Nettie Tehuma, the daughter of his prior deceased son, Joe Johnson Bullis. Under the law of succession of Arizona in force at the time of his death his real estate descended to his two sons, Alonzo (Lon) Bullis and Elin Bullis. All other children had previously died. He was also survived by the children of his prior deceased son, John Bullis, being Joseph Bullis, and Jennie Bullis; also by Edward Bullis and Lyon or George Bullis, the children of his prior deceased son, Rex Bullis. It further appears that he was survived by Nettie Tehuma, the daughter of his prior deceased son, Joe Johnson Bullis. Under the law of succession of Arizona in force at the time of his death his real estate descended to his two sons, Alonzo (Lon) Bullis and Elin Bullis and to his grandchildren Joseph Bullis, Edward Bullis, Jennie Bullis, Lyon or George Bullis, and Nettie Tehuma, the two sons being entitled to one-fifth each and the two grandchildren Joseph Bullis and Jennie Bullis, together one-fifth or each one-tenth, Edward Bullis and Lyon or George Bullis, together one-fifth or each one-tenth and to Nettie Tehuma one-fifth, these grandchildren taking by right of representation. Under the provision of the law of succession of Arizona, the surviving widow Mary Bullis was entitled to an estate for life in one-third of the land.

It further appears that Alonzo Bullis, the decedent's son died in April 1924 survived by his wife, Jane Bullis and by three children, Lon Randolph Bullis, Audrey Bullis, and Dorothy Bullis. Under the provisions of the law of succession of Arizona in force at the time of the death of this son, his one-fifth interest descended to his three children in equal shares of one-fifteenth, subject, however, to the life estate of the surviving widow Jane Bullis in one-third of said one-fifth interest. Mary Bullis, the decedent's widow died, in 1919 following the death of the decedent. Upon her death her one-third life interest in the land left by the decedent terminated.

From the foregoing it would appear that the heirs of the decedent upon the date of the hearing and at the time of the supplemental hearing and their proportionate shares were as follows:

Elin Bullis, son 6/30

Joseph Bullis, son of prior deceased son,

John Bullis 3/30

Jennie Bullis, daughter of prior deceased

son, John Bullis 3/30

Nettie Tehuma, daughter of prior deceased

son, Joe Johnson Bullis 6/30

Edward Bullis, son of prior deceased son,

Rex Bullis 3/30

Lyon Bullis, son of prior deceased son,

Rex Bullis 3/30

Lon Randolph Bullis, son of prior deceased

son, Alonzo (Lon) Bullis 2/30

Audrey Bullis, daughter of subsequently deceased

son, Alonzo (Lon) Bullis 2/30

Dorothy Bullis, daughter of subsequently deceased

son, Alonzo (Lon) Bullis 2/30

the interests inherited by Lon Randolph Bullis, Audrey Bullis, and Dorothy Bullis, being subject to a life estate in Jane Bullis, as hereinbefore indicated.

The $200 reported by the Examiner of Inheritance as lease rental accrued since the decedent's death and descends as a part of the reality. It is accordingly recommended that the heirs of the decedent be determined as above indicated.

The estate of the decedent is appraised at $1200, including the funds to the credit of the estate, indicating a fee of $25 for the determination of the heirs.

Respectfully,E B Meritt Assistant Commissioner.