Grice v. Kitchens

109 So. 154, 215 Ala. 18, 1926 Ala. LEXIS 287

• Court: Supreme Court of Alabama
• Decided: June 17, 1926
• Docket: 7 Div. 632.
• Status: Published

Opinion

ANDERSON, C. J.

This case has been before this court before (212 Ala. 674, 103 So. 880) when it was held that the bill of complaint was defective and subject to the demurrer. While the bill was amended, it still contains the provision in the note as to the condition upon which the same was to be paid; that is, “not until title is to be made complete by Garry Grice.” There is nothing in the bill to show that said Grice had completed the title, but it relies upon the completion of same by the respondent through an adverse possession of 10 years. The condition in the note did not contemplate that it was to be paid when the respondent gained a title to the land by 10 years’ adverse possession, but when the complainant established a complete title showing that he had the right to convey the land under the deed he executed to the respondent.

The bill avers an offer on complainant’s part and a refusal by the respondent to prosecute a suit in the name of the respondent to quiet or perfect the title. This he no doubt had the right to do upon indemnifying the respondent as to cost, the respondent and not the complainant being in the possession of the land, but this offer should have been prompt and seasonable and not after the expiration of 10 years from the sale of the land and after the respondent established a title by adverse possession. From aught appearing, the complainant was guilty of laches in offering to prosecute the suit for the respondent. Moreover, the bill does not aver an offer to indemnify the respondent against cost, though this particular point wUs not taken by demurrer, but the grounds that were interposed were well taken, and the decree of the circuit court, in sustaining said demurrer, is affirmed.

Affirmed.

SAYRE, GARDNER, and MILLER, JJ., concur.