Rosebrook v. Baker

44 So. 198, 151 Ala. 180, 1907 Ala. LEXIS 525
Supreme Court of Alabama·Decided June 6, 1907·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

DOWDELL, J.

The appeal in this case is prosecuted from the decree of the chancellor overruling the demurrer to the bill, and the motion to dismiss for want of equity, and the motion to dissolve the temporary injunction. The bill purports to be filed under section 809 of the (''ode of 1896 to compel determination of a claim to the land in question and to quiet title, and .contains every averment required by the statute necessary to give it equity. — Ward v. Janney, 104 Ala. 122, 16 South. 73; Adler v. Sullivan, 115 Ala. 582, 22 South. 87; Code 1896, [182] § 809. The facts stated in the bill going to show equity are taken as confessed on demurrer and motion to dismiss for want of equity.

The complainant has undertaken to show by averments the source of his title; also, how he came into the possession of the land. Ordinarily such averments are unnecessary, as was said in Ward’s Case and Adler’s Case, supra. It is sufficient to-aver peaceable possession, actual or constructive, under claim of ownership, and that the complainant’s title is denied or disputed, etc., and that no suit is pending to enforce or test the validity of such title. There are cases of ours — Randle v. Daughdrill, 142 Ala. 491, 39 South. 162, and eases there cited — which hold that, where there is a disputed or scrambling possession of the land, a bill to quiet title cannot be maintained under' the statute. This is unquestionably the law, since, where such a condition exists, the possession cannot be a peaceable one. A peaceable possession under claim of ownership is a necessary averment in the bill under the statute, and a requisite fact to equity jurisdiction. But there is a broad distinction between possession and a right of possession. And this same distinction obtains between a disputed possession and a disputed right of possession. The right of possession may be disputed, and yet the actual possession remain and continue peaceable. The institution of the forcible entry suit admitted the possession. It in no sense disputed the possession, but only the right of possession, See Allaire v. Ketchum, 55 N. J. Eq. 168, 35 Atl. 900.

In the present case the averments of the complainant’s source of title and the manner in which he was let into possession was, no doubt, for the purpose of repelling any presumption that might otherwise arise of his possession being a tortious one, from the further statement in the bill that the respondent had commenced an action [183] of forcible entry and unlawful detainer in tlie justice court against tlie complainant for the land in question, and which said action the complainant in his bill prays-to enjoin. The bill being one under the statute to compel the determination of a claim to land to quiet title, and in this respect containing equity, the injunction sought is incident to tlie main purpose of the bill. “An injunction may be granted as incidental to relief asked in a case where equity had jurisdiction for some other purpose, even though the law might afford a remedy for the specific injury sought to be prevented by the injunction. Equity, having jurisdiction for one purpose, may dispose of the entire matter in its own way.” — 22 Cyc. p. 774, § E; Id. p. 790, § F; Id. p. 793, § 8; Id. p. 797; § C; 10 Am. & Eng. Ency. Law (1st Ed.) p. 909; Va. & Ala. Mining & Mfg. Co. v. Hale & Co., 93 Ala. 542, 545, 9 South. 256; Johnston v. Smith, 70 Ala. 108, 117; 1 Story’s Eq. Jur. § 64 (k). In Robbins v. Battle House Co., 74 Ala. 499, where the reformation of a lease contract was the object of the bill, it was held that a temporary injunction of an unlawful detainer suit was proper-. It was said in that case: “The equity, the only equity, of the present bill, is the claim it asserts to have the lease reformed. Injunction of the unlawful detainer suit in the circuit court is necessary to give that relief its proper effect.” The unlawful detainer suit Avas at the time pending in the circuit court on appeal from the justice court.

The statute expressly provides that in actions of forcible entry and unlaAvful detainer “the estate or- merits of the title cannot be inquired into on the trial.” Section 213, Code 1896. But it is insisted that under section 2508, c. 97, of the Code, Avhich pitmdes for an unlawful detainer suit in case of a redemptioner, the title may be inquired into. However this may be, and as to [184] Which 'we make no intimation, it is sufficient to say that it' nowhere appears from the bill that the action prayed td; be‘enjoined is an unlawful detainer suit by a redemptitSner. ' The averments of the bill repel any such presumption. The bill avers that the suit prayed to be enjoined is an action of forcible entry and unlawful detainer. ’ If the question of unlawful detainer by a redfemptioner is in the case, it does not appear on the face of the pleading, and must therefore be raised otherwise than by demurred to the bill.

‘ The other Justices are of the opinion, and so hold, that th'e’stateihent in the bill of the pendency of the forcible efitry and unlawful detainer suit deprives the bill of equity, since under the provisions of the statute (sections 2147, 2148, 2149, Code 1896) the defendant in a forcible entry and unlawful detainer suit may remove such suit from the justice court into the circuit court, when and where the title to the land may be tested. The winter dissents' from the conclusion of his Brothers for reddens hereinafter given.

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Rosebrook v. Baker, 44 So. 198, 151 Ala. 180, 1907 Ala. LEXIS 525 (Ala. 1907).

44 So. 198 (Rosebrook v. Baker) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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