Brooks v. Ellis

3 Greene 527

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: November 15, 1852
• Status: Published

Opinion

Opinion by

Greene, J.

Edward Ellis filed a billagainst James Brooks and R. "Wilkerson to recover title to land which had been entered by Brooks in trust for Ellis. It seems that Ellis had a settler’s claim on eighty acres of timber land, and entered into a contract with Brooks, by which it was stipulated that Brooks should enter forty acres of the claim in his own name, and subsequently deed half of it to Ellis, upon his paying the entrance money —$1.25 per acre — with ten per cent, interest. Brooks furnished the money accordingly, and entered the land. Ellis subsequently tendered his portion of the purchase money to Brooks, and demanded a deed, but the deed was refused.

These faets are distinctly avowed in the bill. Brooks’ answer admits most of the bill, but denies that the-elaim of Filis to the land was valid, and claims that the purchase money was to have been paid before it was tendered by Ellis. But the depositions sustain the bill in these particulars. The decree below was for complainant.

It is not necessary to detail the pleadings or evidence in order to understand the objections urged to- the decree.

1. It is objected that the arrangement was without consideration, and void. The facts in the case show that Ellis had a legal claim upon the land. Such claims, under our statute, amount to a good consideration. Kev. Stab, 456, § 1 ; Ellis v. Mosier, 2 G. Greene, 247. Ellis relinquished his claim to Brooks, upon condition that B. should advance the purchase money, and enter the land, and deed half of it to Ellis on bis refunding his portion of the entrance money. The conditions then were mutual; the consideration sufficient.

2. It is claimed that the case comes within the statute of frauds because the agreement was for an interest in lands and not in writing. Abstractly considered this objection appears well founded. But when we enter into the terms, connections and conditions of the agreement; when we consider that Brooks imdertook, in contemplation of law to act as the trustee of Ellisthat Brooks’ refusal to deed is so tainted with fraud as to justify a court in regarding him as trustee ; that thex'e was a joint interest and! a- joint pux’chase; that Ellis was in possession, and that the consideration between the parties was good and valid; when all these circumstances ax-e considered, no doubt can be exxtex'tained that the case is fully removed froxn the statute of frauds.

That the facts in this case sustain, at least, a resulting trust cannot, we think, be questioned. Elliot v. Armstrong, 2 Blackf., 198; Johnson v. Graves, ib 440; Boyd v. McLear, 1 John. Ch., 582; Doyle v. Sleper, 1 Dana., 536; McCoy v. Hughes, 1 G. Greene, 370.

Wright and Knapp for appellant. A. Kail, for appellee.

A case of joint interest and purchase like the present, does not come within the statute of frauds. 3 Mason, 347; 3 Biff. 15, 506.

A party attempting a fraud in such a case should be regarded as a trustee. 1 Page, 147; 1 Cooke, 166. N or is the statute applicable to any case of resulting trust. 1 J. J. Marshall, 403.

We conclude then that equity has been done in this case.

Decree affirmed.