McCaughan v. Tatman

53 Iowa 508

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: April 24, 1880
• Status: Published

Opinion

Adams, Os. J.

minor. The principal question presented in the case is as to whether Margaret Smith’s claim, based upon her tax deed, is barred. Section 902 of the Code provides that “no action for the recovery of real property sold for the nonpayment of taxes shall lie, unless the same be brought within five years after the treasurer’s deed is executed and recorded, provided that when the owner of such real property-sold as aforesaid shall, at the time of such sale be a minor * * * five years after such disability shall be removed shall be allowed such person, his heirs or legal representatives, to bring their action. The owner of this land at the time of this tax sale was a minor. But he sold to defendant Tatman during his minority, and as his disability did not rest upon the purchaser, the latter could be allowed only five years from the time of purchase to bring an action to recover the property, if such action was necessary. Gibbs v. Sawyer, 48 Iowa, 443. That he might have that time is evident. He should certainly be allowed a reasonable time, and as five years would have been allowed to his grantor under the statute after the removal of disability as a reasonable time, it appears to us that nothing less could be regarded as a reasonable time for the grantee.

• As, therefore, the defendant Tatman might have had five years from the time of his purchase to bring an action to recover the property, which time'- did not expire until April, 1879, it is insisted that the defendant Smith, the holder of Ere tax title, had the same time, and was, therefore, not barred. It appears to ns, however, that the disability of the person who owns the land at the time of the tax sale cannot have the effect to extend the time Avithin which the holder of the tax title should bring an action to recover the proj^erty. Time is extended to the person under disability, because he is supposed not to be cognizant of his rights, or not able to assert them Avhile under disability. But rights may be asserted against a person under disability, and the same' reason exists why the claimant of the rig’hts should be diligent in asserting them, as in a case where they are to be asserted against a person not under disability.

The defendant Smith, then, could at once upon obtaining her tax deed have maintained her action against the minor Tatman for the recovery of possession, unless the fact that she already had construetÍA7e possession should be deemed to preclude her, and it Avas held in Barrett v. Love, 48 Iowa, 103, that it should not. The fact that the minor might redeem at any time within a year after the removal of disability would not entitle him to hold possession against the holder of a valid tax deed. The legal title in general carries the right of possession, and the minor cannot set up anything against it if it is regular until he has defeated it by exercising his right to redeem. It is true the minor has before the exercise of such right an interest in the land which may be conveyed by deed, (Stout v. Merrill, 35 Iowa, 47 (58),) but, as it is held in that case, it is an equity, and it must be enforced if at all in a court of equity. Code, § 893.

As more than five years had elapsed after the defendant Smith had obtained her tax deed, and there being nothing to hinder her at any time from bringing an action to recover the property — Barrett v. Love, above cited — her right now to set up her tax deed must be deemed to be barred.

The appellee insists that this case is not triable because we have not the whole record before us. The evidence is not set out, but a finding of facts is. This we are inclined to think Avould be insufficient but for an agreement entered into by counsel in these words: “It is agreed that the foregoing abstract fully and fairly presents all the questions arising in this action, and that the cause shall be heard thereon.” It is not for us to affirm for insufficient record when parties have agreed that we have before us all that is necessary for the ■determination of the case.

Reversed.