Baker v. Thompson

114 S.W. 497, 214 Mo. 500, 1908 Mo. LEXIS 246

• Court: Supreme Court of Missouri
• Decided: November 25, 1908
• Status: Published

Opinion

WOODSON, J.

This is an ejectment suit, instituted by plaintiffs against the defendants in the circuit court of Clinton county, to recover the possession of about four acres of land lying in the southwest corner of the' northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 14, township 55, range 32.

The petition is in the usual form, and the answer was a general denial and a plea of the ten-year Statute of limitations. The reply was a general denial of the new matter stated in the answer. A trial was had before the court and jury, which resulted in a verdict and judgment for the plaintiffs, and after taking the proper preliminary steps, the defendants duly appealed the cause to this court.

The facts of the case are few and simple, and most of them are undisputed.

The following plat introduced in evidence shows the tract of land sued for, and sheds much light upon the disputed issues involved in the case.

A — Land in Controversy.

B — Thompson land in Guyer’s field.

In the year 1885 Charles "W. Shepherd owned the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 14, township' 55, range 32 (which we will hereafter call the “south forty”), and at the same time Michael Gu3rer owned the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of same section, which lies immediately north of the “south forty” (which will hereafter be designated the “north forty”). Shepherd was a son-in-law of G-uyer, and by an agreement entered into by and between them Shepherd fenced in and occupied the tract of land in controversy, and left about the same amount of land in the northeast corner of the “south forty” in Guyer’s possession; and it was also agreed between them that this arrangement might be terminated at any time by either party thereto' and the fence put back on the true line between the two forties. The location of the railroad and branch through their lands, taken in connection with the boggy and miry condition of soil in and near the branch, suggested and induced both of them to enter into said arrangement and construct the fences as above stated, which was for their mutual convenience and benefit.

Shepherd also owned the quarter section just west of the two forties and Guyer owned the lands on the east side thereof. A year or so after this arrangement had been entered into between them and after the fences had been constructed in pursuance of that agreement, Shepherd sold and conveyed his entire land to William Kirk by proper deed of conveyance. The latter went into possession and occupied, the land until his death, which occurred something less than a year afterwards. By his last will Kirk gave all of his land to his daughter Eva K. Thompson, one of the defendants, for her sole and separate use. Mrs. Thompson rented the land to various persons up to about the year 1895 and collected the rents therefor. About the- year 1895 she, with her husband and children, moved upon the land and have occupied and resided there ever since. The land in controversy was in the possession of Shepherd until he sold to Kirk, was in Kirk until his death, and was in the possession of Mrs. Thompson and her tenants up to the time of the bringing of this suit. John B. Thompson, her husband, and one of the defendants, has occupied the farm with her ever since they moved there in 1895, but he states in his separate answer that he has no interest in the land in controversy except as the tenant of his wife, Eva K. Thompson. The evidence, however, fails to show that she ever at any time rented the laud to him. The “south forty” has been assessed to Mrs. Thompson and the taxes paid by her ever since it was willed to her, and the “north forty” has been assessed to Michael G-uyer and the taxes paid by him from 1872 until this suit was brought. In February, 1904, Michael Buyer sold the “north forty” to the plaintiffs and executed a deed -conveying the same to them.

All of the foregoing facts are practically undisputed, and the evidence for plaintiffs tended to prove that the plaintiff John M. Baker went to the defendant John B. Thompson and told him of his purchase, and requested him to show to him the line running east and west between the south and north forties, and that in pursuance to that request Thompson went down to the land and pointed out to Baker its location. This, however, was denied by Thompson. Soon after this Baker moved the fence back on the true line dividing the north and south forty, leaving the land in the northeast corner of the “south forty” in Thompson’s enclosure and put back the land in controversy in Baker’s enclosure. At the time Shepherd sold to Kirk he told the latter of the arrangement between him and Guyer regarding the occupancy of the two small tracts of land, and that the understanding was that either of them could, at will, move the fences back on the true line. The great weight of the evidence shows that John B. Thompson knew of this arrangement, and many facts and circumstances from which it might be reasonably inferred that Mrs. Thompson also knew of it, though each of them deny all knowledge of the said arrangement. Her brothers and all other parties interested in the premises knew of it. The evidence also tended to show that John B. Thomp1son was the agent of his wife in looking after and managing her farm, and that practically all of the possessory acts performed upon the land in suit were performed by him. He looked after the fences and water gaps and repaired them whenever necessary, and by permission from Guyer he broke up- and put in cultivation the land in question. The record fails to show that Mrs. Thompson personally performed any acts indicating ownership of this land, except to take' and hold the possession of the entire tract as enclosed when she acquired title to the “south forty” through her father’s will.

The evidence for Mrs. Thompson -tended to showv that she had no knowledge whatever of the existence of the arrangement between Shepherd and Guyer regard- t ing the land in controversy.

"Whatever additional facts may be necessary for a proper understanding of the case will be stated in the opinion.

I. The cause was submitted to the jury on the theory that if they found from the evidence that Mrs. Thompson and her father, William Kirk, had notice- of the arrangement made between Shepherd and Guyer regarding the land, then the appellants must have by some unequivocal act brought to the knowledge of Guyer that they claimed the land as their own before the Statute of Limitations would begin to run against the respondents; and that if they believed John B. Thompson was the agent of his wife in the- management and control of the land, then notice to- him would be notice to her.

It is first insisted that the action of the trial court in admitting evidence of conversations abeged to- have taken place between John B. Thompson and various persons interested in the matter regarding the boundary lines of his wife’s premises during her absence is reversible error.

Ordinarily the acts and words of the husband regarding his wife’s -property are no more binding upon her than they would be upon an entire stranger. This is academic and was so recognized by counsel for respondents; and in order to- make his acts and words binding upon her, evidence was introduced tending to prove he was her agent in the premises. The record discloses the fact that the “south forty” was her sole and separate estate, and even at common law she could legally appoint an agent to manage and control it for her. [MacFarland v. Heim, 127 Mo. 334.]

But in order to escape this rule counsel for appellants earnestly insists that the record fails to disclose any evidence of agency. After a careful reading of this entire record, we are unable to lend our concurrence to that insistence. There is a great mass of testimony bearing upon that question, and while it is not as direct and clear as it might be, yet we are fully satisfied that, when taken as a whole with all the inferences which may be reasonably drawn therefrom, it constituted sufficient evidence upon which to submit that question to the jury. [Hull v. Jones, 69 Mo. 587.] The finding of the jury that the agency existed is conclusive upon this court, because it is supported by substantial evidence. We are, therefore, of the opinion that the action of the court in admitting that evidence was not error.

We have carefully considered the instructions given by the court for the respective parties. They, in our opinion, properly and fairly presented the law of the case to the jury; and we have no hesitancy in saying that their verdict is supported by the great preponderance of the evidence.

II. But there is an additional valid reason why this judgment should be affirmed, and that is the record nowhere discloses any written or oral agreement or arrangement between Mrs. Thompson and her father regarding the land in question. He made no adverse claims to the land and in no manner whatever authorized her to take possession of and occupy the same. That being true, then it must be conceded that she acquired no legal or colorable title to this land from her father, William Kirk. So, in the light of the undisputed facts of this case her title must be determined wholly independent of her father’s will and his possession of the land in dispute. So, if she has title to these four acres, it is because sbe has acquired title thereto by acts of real occupancy thereof for a period of ten years, unaided by paper or colorable title. Now, what are the facts regarding that matter as disclosed by this record? They are practically undisputed and are as follows:

Upon the death of William Kirk, the father of Mrs. Thompson, she, through her tenants, took possession of and occupied the farm willed to her, which consisted of the “south forty” and other lands. She also at the same time and by the same tenants took possession of and occupied the four acres in controversy, which were inclosed with the “south forty.” She testified to and insisted throughout her entire testimony that she thought at all times that these four acres of land were willed to her by her father and that she owned the legal title thereto under and by virtue of the will. The following is almost a literal copy of her testimony upon that subject:

“Q. Now, after your father’s death and when you moved on that place didn’t you notice that this fence there on the north side of your forty — your house is on this forty? A. Yes, sir.

“Q. You noticed that fence didn’t run. straight but crooked in around next to the railroad, didn’t you? You knew that fence wasn’t on a straight line across the forty acres? A. No, sir, it wasn’t right straight.

“Q. You saw the condition of the fence there? A. Yes, sir.

. “Q. You heard your father’s will read soon after his death. A. Yes, sir.

“Q. You knew when you saw this fence in the condition it was in that you had land there that was not described in that will, did you not? A. I never thought anything about it. I never claimed only what was in my enclosure.

‘ ‘ Q. Did yon claim this piece of land south of the railroad? A. I claimed that in my enclosure.

“Q. Who did you make that claim to? A. Well, in my own family always. I didn’t have to make my claim. I always thought I owned it and they always believed the same.

"Q. You thought, notwithstanding that fact that the will gave you this forty, that you owned the other? A. I never claimed any inside of Mr. Guyer’s field.

"Q. Did you ever tell Mr. Guyer that you claimed this land in controversy? A. I never told him, for he never said nothing to me about it. I never had a word about it.

££Q. You never told him you claimed this land? A. I never told him and he never told me.

££Q. This fence was in the same condition it was when you went there clear up to the time Mr. Baker' moved it on the northeast corner of the forty? A. The fence was the same way from the time I moved there.

£‘ Q. Just like it was when your father lived there? A. Yes, sir.

££Q. Now, you understand that part of this forty-acre tract in the description of the land which your father willed to you was in Mr. Guyer’s pasture? You testified to that fact before, didn’t you? A. No, sir.

££Q. Didn’t you say'that part of this forty-acre tract was in Mr. Guyer’s pasture? A. I never claimed any in Mr. Guyer’s pasture.

££Q. I didn’t ask you that, Mrs. Thompson. There was part of your forty-acre tract in his pasture. A. If there was I never knew it.

££Q. This is part of this forty acres here that Mr. Guyer sold to Mr. Baker, you know that, don’t you? A. They are claiming four acres on my side they say. He says four acres of mine was on him and four acres of his on mine, but I never knew it.

“Q. I will ask you whether or not yon knew that part of this forty-acre tract on which your house is situated, if before Mr. Baker moved his fence part of that forty was over in Mr. Buyer’s pasture? A. No, sir.

“ Q. Didn’t you know that part of your land was in liis pasture? A. No, sir, I did not.

“Q. Now, you testified in this case before. I will ask you if this' question was asked you and if you made this answer: ‘I believe you answered this question once, Mrs. Thompson, but to be sure about it I will ask you again: Did you know before this suit was commenced that this strip' of land in the dotted line heretofore in the possession of Mr. Buyer was really willed to you? Did you know that before this suit was brought’? Ans. ‘I supposed it was willed to me.’ Was that question asked and did you make that answer? A. Well, I will have to read it again, please?

“Q. ‘I believe you answered this question once, Mrs. Thompson, but to be sure about it I will ask you again: Did you know before this suit was commenced that this strip of land in the dotted line heretofore in the possession of Mr. Buyer was really willed to you? Did you know that before this suit was brought?’ Ans. ‘I supposed it was willed to me. ’ A. No, what was in Mr. Buyer’s field I didn’t think was willed to me. Nothing only on my side.

“Q. But did you make that answer before? A. I don’t remember it if I did.

“Q. I will ask you if you claim these tracts, this one and this( one over here? A. I don’t claim anything on Mr. Buyer’s side.

“Q. They are both in your enclosure now. A. I don’t claim the piece that Mr. Baker threw on my side.

“Q. That was willed to you? A. What ivas on my side I supposed was willed to me.

“Q. Don’t you know that you never have paid the taxes on this four acres over here? A. I supposed I was paying taxes on my side.

‘ ‘ Q. I will ask you if you ever have paid the taxes on this four acres in controversy? Now, what is your answer? A. Well, I don’t know as I did on his side.

‘ ‘ Q. I will ask you if you ever, at any time,, paid the taxes on this northwest of the southwest? This forty acres immediately north of the forty your father willed to you? A. Well, I could not tell you whether taxes was paid on his side or not.

“Q. Mr. Thompson gave in this land to the assessor, didn’t he? A. Yes, sir, he did.

“Q. And he paid the taxes, did he not? A. Yes, sir, with my permission.

“Q. He paid them at all times with your permission, did he? Did you direct him to pay the taxes on the land in Mr. Guyer’s field? A. No, I never directed him to pay on Mr. Guyer’s side.

“ Q. He gave the land in to the assessor for you, did he not? A. I suppose he did.

“Q. And signed his name to the assessment list? Did either you or Mr. Thompson ever give this four-acre in controversy in to the assessor? A. On Mr. Guyer’s side?

“Q. The four acres in controversy here, on your side of the fence? A. Well, I don’t know.

“Q. How is that? A. I don’t know.”

We have copied thus extensively from the testimony of Mrs. Thompson for the purpose of showing that she at no time claimed possession or title to the land in controversy by adverse possession, but her sole claim has at all times been, as before stated, that she acquired title to this land under and by virtue of her father’s will, and that in pursuance to that title she took possession of and has occupied it ever since.

We do not wish to he understood as holding that a person may not at one and the same time claim or acquire title to real estate both by deed or will and adverse possession, but we do hold that the proof of the one without more, as is true in this case, will not support the other. In the case at bar appellant’s own evidence shows that her sole claim to the land was under and by virtue of her father’s will, and when the undisputed evidence shows that the land is not embraced within the terms of the will, then her title in that regard must fail; and when we consider the plea of the Statute of Limitations we fail to find a scintilla of evidence which tends in the remotest degree to show she claimed this land by adverse possession. That being true her whole case must fall to the ground for want of evidence to support it'upon either theory of her defense.

The law of this State is well settled to the effect that before the Statute of Limitations can be put into operation the party claiming- the benefit thereof must show an intention either by word or acts to- claim the title to the land by adverse possession. Either actual occupancy or constructive possession under colorable title must be shown. [DeBernardi v. McElroy, 110 Mo. 650.]

Finding no error in the record prejudicial to the rights of the appellants, the judgment should be affirmed.

It is so ordered.

All concur.