Ft. Payne Co. v. City of Ft. Payne

114 So. 63, 216 Ala. 679, 1927 Ala. LEXIS 262

• Court: Supreme Court of Alabama
• Decided: June 30, 1927
• Docket: 7 Div. 754.
• Status: Published

Opinion

THOMAS, J.

The purpose of the bill was to enjoin the trespass on tracts of land in a way inconsistent with the use of said property as public parks of the city of Ft. Payne. The decree held that the tracts indicated as Union and Spring Grove Parks had been duly dedicated and accepted by the city as parks and enjoined defendant from trespassing thereon, and denied relief to the city as to Manitou Cave Park. The appeal was by respondents. There was cross-assignment of errors by the city of Ft. Payne as to the denial of relief protecting its right and 'use as a park to the tract called Manitou Cave Park. Section 6091, Code 1923; Yates Mach. Co. v. Taylor, 215 Ala. 311, 110 So. 396; Hillman v. City of Anniston, ante, p. 661, 114 So. 55.

The law of dedication, statutory and common law, acceptance and abandonment of public parks and public thoroughfares in cities and towns of the state is well understood and need not be repeated at this time. Avondale Land Co. v. Town of Avondale, 111 Ala. 523, 21 So. 318; Douglass v. City Council of Montgomery, 118 Ala. 599, 24 So. 745, 43 L. R. A. 376; City of Mobile v. Chapman, 202 Ala. 194, 79 So. 566; City of Birmingham v. Graham, 202 Ala. 202, 79 So. 574; Stollenwerck v. Greil, 205 Ala. 217, 87 So. 338. It may be observed that to constitute a dedication there must coexist the animus dedicandi on the part of dedicator and acceptance by the public. Attorney General v. Lakeview Land Co., 143 Ala. 291, 39 So. 303. And when accepted the dedication becomes irrevocable. Forney v. Calhoun County, 84 Ala. 215, 4 So. 153.

The property holdings of the Ft. Payne Land & Improvement Company in the year 1889 were taken over by the Ft. Payne Coal & Iron Company, and the building or development of the city of Ft. Payne was begun. The latter company made changes in the original recorded map of the former company which lay largely on one side of the A. G. S. R. Company’s main line. Material changes made in said map or plot consisted, among other things, in the extending of Vine street across two blocks shown on the former map as lots, the extending of streets across block 18, where the original block shows none; alleys were extended through blocks 85 and 86, where there is no appearance of them in the original map. Conveyances in the chain of title, under which defendant claims, refer to the alleys in the two blocks. Block 83 was set apart as a park, trees planted therein (in 1889), and driveways extending north and south and east and west; a fence constructed around this .block with gates at the north and south driveways between said trees, and two rows leading east and west with driveway between; fence constructed with gates, and at the center of the block two ornamental pillars were erected of permanent material, with a flight of steps between and leading from Gault avenue into that park and opposite the east and west road or space between the row of trees or driveway.

The Ft. Payne Coal & Iron Company platted adjacent lands to those shown on the original map of its predecessor, the Development or Improvement Company, that contained Manitou Cave addition, and on the other side of the railroad are Spring Grove and Manitou Cave Parks. The Coal & Iron- Company had for its use a large map of that city displayed upon its wall in a substantial oak frame. This map is an exhibit and before us. It shows there were changes and additions to the city, which are substantial and patent on inspection. The proof is clear that this map from 1889 was in the office of the Ft. Payne Coal & Iron Company, and that continuously it was referred to and used in the conduct of its business of sales of lots; that said map was displayed in the office of the succeeding companies and so used in locating lots, indicating to purchasers, and to aid in writing descriptions of property sold. The evidence further shows that the large map had other additions to the city not platted by the Ft. Payne Coal & Iron Company, and that said company owned lots in several of such subdivisions.

At the general auction or initial land sale held by the company in May, 1889 (according to the evidence of Quin and Haralson), the general manager of the owner (C. O. Godfrey) repeatedly and publicly announced that Union Park had been given to the city as a public park. In 1890 the Coal & Iron Company published and circulated an advertisement or booklet entitled “Ft. Payne Illustrated,” picturing Union Park, containing the statement that parks and driveways had been carefully laid out. This booklet is before the court and shows the parks of the same general character as those indicated on the map described above. The evidence shows that said company did not lay out or dedicate other parks than those embraced in this litigation, and as they were located or indicated on said map.

According to the weight of the evidence, the main entrance to Union Park has not been closed to the general public for all these years, and has been used from time to time as a place of public resort until a short while before this suit, when the attempt was made by respondent to interfere with its free use by the public. The city sought by letter and resolution to remove the difficulty without avail, and the effort eventuated in this suit.

When the Ft. Payne Coal & Iron Company executed its mortgage to the Old Colony Trust Company the description of all of its holdings employed was in accord with the natural extent and subdivisions of the large map exhibited, though the recital is made that it was in accordance with the Christensen survey. The company’s holdings were more extended than those contained, in the first recited map and- extended to large territory or addition beyond the A. G. S. R. R. Company’s main line. The large map of 1889, by Louis T. Alden, appears to be, or was, in general accord with the Christensen survey, so far as it went with the material changes we have indicated. However, the defendant and its predecessors in title constantly used the large map in its office, exhibited lots therefrom to purchasers or those desiring to purchase therefrom. Many of the conveyances make no specific references to any particular survey by name, employing a description by lots, blocks, etc. However, a significant fact is that the Fort Payne Company conveyed to Davis & Son a lot of lands, by reference to the Alden map, employed as streets appearing on the Alden map and not in recorded plat or Christensen map. This fact is corroborative of complainant’s position as to Union Park.

The bill and pleading to which the decree adverts, and on which it rests under the evidence, left no doubt as to the meaning-of the decree as affecting the rights of the respective parties and that of the general public under a common-law dedication and acceptance of the parks in question. And the suggestion that the Old Colony Trust Company was an innocent purchaser is not foiconsideration by reason of the failure to set. up this defense in the pleading and thus inform the complainant of such issue of fact if it was relied upon. Such is the requirement of equity pleading. Heflin v. Heflin, 208 Ala. 69, 93 So. 719; American Book Co. v. State of Alabama, ante, p. 367, 113 So. 592.

If there was a common-law dedication of that park, it was effective and accepted be fore the execution of the Old Colony Trust mortgage. This is referable to the acts and doings of the Coal & Iron Company by erecting the fence, planting trees, erecting ornamental gates, and constructing adjacent public streets leading therein — in short, by the establishment of the park as a part of its land sales and general plan and layout of the city. The intervening parties in interest from the Et. Payne Coal & Iron Company to the Et. Payne Company were holding companies. And when the property as a whole changed hands the descriptions in the conveyances were consistent with and conformable to the large map in evidence. In each, Spring Grove Park, conceded to the city, is described and conveyed in the same manner and way as was described and conveyed Union Park. These conveyances in dealing with blocks 85 and 86 show an alley, and some of these conveyances describe a part of the block as “lying between the alley” and the “A. G. S. Railroad.” The assessment for taxes employs the same description of the last tract.

At the risk of repetition, we may note that the Et. Payne Company bought the property, and made, acquiesced "in, or recognized the dedication of Union Park and Spring Grove Park. The large map before us in 3 permanent oak frame was retained in that company’s office; it indicates these parks and was the only or exhibited map. That is to say, this map followed the company’s office when it moved from one point to another — - was used to indicate its properties to parties seeking or considering a purchase. In response to this it is insisted that, though s,uch use was made of the large map, it was explained that another plat was the true map. The weight of the evidence is against this, and favors the general and more extended use of the large or wall map by each of the owning companies. This is the effect of” the testimony of Quin, Campbell, Cox, Killian, Guest, Baker, and Slone, who assert that the exclusive officer of the own.er (Cochrane) did not so limit or explain to them as purchasers the use of the large map ; though the deeds do not make reference to any particular survey or map, they employ the descriptions by lots or blocks as appear and were indicated or pointed out on the wall map.

Adverting to the deed from the Et. Payne Company to Davis & Son and its recital that it was according to S. E. Alden survey, it should be said that there was but one survey by Alden. The fact that his initials are described as “S. E.” rather than “L. (Louis) T.” Alden is immaterial and shown by the correspondence of description employed with that of the wall map in evidence, and with the blueprints therefrom. That description in said deed was in accord with the conveyance from the Et. Payne Company by Wm. Schall, Jr. The expression in the conveyances or tax list, “and strip from alley to R” —A. G. S. R. Co., as to adjacent or contiguous blocks 85 and 86, could only have application and be in accord with the one map or survey by Alden. It is consistent thereto and contradictory of the recorded or L. N. Christensen plat or map. The later reformation of that conveyance did not affect other parties than those before the court in said suit, and not the general public of the city- of Et. Payne.

The fact that taxes were paid from time to time does not change the result. As to block 83 or Union Park the assessment and payment was intermittent. Eor a part of the time the tract was indicated as “Park block” and no assessments thereof. When the E. N. Cullom tax record before us 'is carefully considered, it does not sufficiently or specifically disclose that the respondent paid taxes on Union Park blocks, and the Alden map is referred to in the description “strip east of alley to R. R.” of blocks 85 and 86.

The use of the big map, showing the parks, the use of these parks by the public, the failure of the Et. Payne Company to pay tax, the marking of block 83 as “Park block,’’ corroborates the other evidence of dedication or acquiescence in the dedication of Union Park by the respondent.

The insistence of sidewalk improvement and payment therefor by the last holding company, Et. Payne Company, of $215 in 1914, was set up by its cross-bill. The city denied that the Et. Payne Company was the owner of the park and denies that said municipality ever levied such assessment; avers that the sidewalk was constructed or improved and that said payment on the part of the Et. Payne Company was a voluntary contribution thereto. The proof in the iiremises offered by the Et. Payne Company was its receipt for taxes; no assessment by the city against it as owner of block 83 or Union Park was shown. The legal proof was an assessment on the proper records of a municipality. And no predicate was laid for secondary proof. However, the receipt is not sufficient to raise or found thereon an estoppel against the city suing for the benefit of its people having the right of the use of the park. Webb v. City of Demopolis, 95 Ala. 116, 13 So. 289, 21 L. R. A. 62; American Book Co. v. State of Alabama (Ala. Sup.) 113 So. 592. 1 If the respondent had always paid taxes on this park, in view of all the evidence, it would not estop the city from asserting the rights of a public park. Murray v. Barnes, 146 Ala. 688, 40 So. 348. 2 Since the dedication was by way of the common law, the fee and rights not inconsistent therewith remained in the dedicator. The public had the easement, enjoyed it from about 1889 or 1900 to tbe recent suit or controversy. And if taxes bad been continuously paid, it may be referred to tbe fact of and as bolder of tbe fee subjected to tbe easement. That tbe septic tank was formerly located in Union Park is not sufficient to rebut tbe evidence of its dedication and acceptance when considered with all tbe evidence, and for respondent to establish further fact that tbe plat or block was held as hotel grounds and as its private park. It was not so designated on tbe large map; it was not pointed out as a private park to investors, and was not conveyed as a part of the hotel property when the latter was conveyed.

Mr. Wolfes, its purchaser, said be took tbe names of tbe streets in describing block 57 (hotel block) from tbe recorded map or that in witness’ office, yet, be used tbe name of Park street as a line of said block and that street only appears on tbe Alden map, tbe wall map before us. Tbe recorded or Christensen map uses tbe name of Linn street to designate tbe same thoroughfare called Park street, and employed in tbe deed of grantor to Wolfes.

In addition to this, we again observe that Union Park was open at all times to, and used by, tbe public, by way of Gault avenue entrance. Through Cochrane said permission was always obtained for special public gatherings ; be did not give tbe names of those who bad made specific requests to him for that use. Had be been able to do so, tbe opportunity would have been afforded tbe city for rebuttal.

Tbe voluminous record has been examined, and we are impressed that tbe use and resorting by tbe public to this park was that of an acceptance of a recognized and intentional dedication of a public park, and not that of a resorting of tbe people to tbe private or hotel grounds as its private park. After tbe long and intervening years tbe presumption of tbe law under tbe circumstances disclosed by tbe record is that tbe park was a public one. Moragne v. Gadsden, 170 Ala. 124, 54 So. 518; Rudolph v. City of Elyton, 161 Ala. 525, 50 So. 80; Trammell v. Bradford, 198 Ala. 513, 73 So. 894; Lynne v. Ralph, 201 Ala. 535, 78 So. 889; Moon v. Lollar, 203 Ala. 672, 85 So. 6; City of Florence v. Florence Land & Lumber Co., 204 Ala. 175, 85 So. 516; Locklin v. Tucker, 208 Ala. 155, 93 So. 896.

Tbe fact that tbe Manitou Cave Park may have been without tbe surveys of tbe corporate limits would not affect its dedication to tbe city. We may observe of this that the codification of tbe general law was that given a place as section 2046 of tbe Code of 1923.

Of tbe powers of municipal corporations, we are of opinion that tbe weight of authority is to tbe effect that cities may own real estate, including a park outside its corporate limits. Tbe question of improving such a park and expending tbe city’s money therefor has presented a divergence of authorities. This subject is stated by MeQuillin- on bis standard work on Municipal Corporations,' volume 3, § 1108. He has this to say:

“Notwithstanding earlier rulings to the contrary including dicta, probably influenced to some extent by an eminent authority on municipal corporations, it is believed that, the rule supported by the weight of authority as well as by the better reasoning, is that a municipal corporation, where not expressly prohibited, may purchase real estate outside its corporate limits for legitimate municipal purposes, especially under such a broad charter provision as one conferring power to purchase and hold real estate sufficient ‘for the public use, convenience or necessities.’

“Here it is necessary to have in mind the distinction between the right to acquire and own property outside the limits, and the power to exercise rights of sovereignty over such property. Hence it is clear that cases holding that a municipal corporation is not liable in damages for injuries caused by the condition of or in connection with extraterritorial property cannot be said to be authorities in favor of the proposition that it cannot purchase or otherwise acquire and hold property outside the limits. Accordingly it has been held that a city has general power to purchase land outside the limits for a public park, or a stone quarry to furnish crushed rock for use upon the city’s streets, or a gravel bed.

“At present there can be no question that a municipal corporatian may purchase and hold land outside its limits for certain necessary purposes such as a cemetery or a pesthouse or a water supply or the like.”

In volume 8, par. 1824 (MeQuillin) we find:

“Authority to make improvements beyond the corporate limits is often implied on the ground of necessity, as sewer outlets, or as it is said it arises by implication. Improvements relating to a municipal purpose without the municipal area are generally sanctioned, as sewers and drains, parks and water supply.”

We bave not reversed tbe honored trial court in denying tbe insistence of the city to Manitou Gave Park. Conceding that a city may own and maintain a cave as a public resort under proper authority or circumstances of fact, yet a cave as a pleasure resort, in nature, is not an ordinary and necessary incident of municipal life. To review tbe evidence on this ruling is not necessary. Tbe decree of tbe circuit court, in equity, is affirmed.

Affirmed.

ANDERSON, C. X, and SOMERVILLE and BROWN, JX, concur.

1 Ante, p. 307.

2 Reported in full in the Southern Reporter; not reported in full In Alabama Reports.