Sherrill v. Garth

161 So. 482, 230 Ala. 397, 1935 Ala. LEXIS 196
CourtSupreme Court of Alabama
DecidedMay 16, 1935
Docket8 Div. 639.
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 161 So. 482 (Sherrill v. Garth) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Alabama primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Sherrill v. Garth, 161 So. 482, 230 Ala. 397, 1935 Ala. LEXIS 196 (Ala. 1935).

Opinion

FOSTER, Justice.

The suggestion that the bill of exceptions does not show an exception to the ruling of the court granting the motion for a new trial is not in accordance with what we think is a proper interpretation of it. The judgment of the court on that motion as it appears in *483 extended form is set out in full in tlie bill of exceptions. Such judgment states that plaintiff reserved an exception.

It is true that we have often held that when the hill of exceptions contains no recital of an exception, its recital in the judgment, not a part of the bill of exceptions, is not sufficient. Drennen Motor Co. v. Patrick, 225 Ala. 35, 141 So. 681; Southern Wood Preserving Co. v. McCamey, 218 Ala. 201, 118 So. 393; Thomas v. Carter, 218 Ala. 55, 117 So. 634; King v. Scott, 217 Ala. 511, 116. So. 681; Martin v. State, 216 Ala. 160, 113 So. 602; Ex parte Grace, 213 Ala. 550, 105 So. 707; Akin v. Chancy Bros. Hardware & Furniture Co., 207 Ala. 523, 93 So. 408 (and many others).

It is not necessary that formal judgment shall appear in the bill of exceptions, if it is set out elsewhere in the record, provided the bill of exceptions contains a recital showing the making of the motion, the ruling-on it, and the reservation of an exception. Ex parte Grace, supra.

But all of this is shown by a recital in the bill of exceptions of the making of the motion (set out in the record proper), and by setting out in it the formal judgment which shows the ruling and the exception. The judgment also appears in the record proper, as it should. It is therefore proper to give consideration to the only assignment of error here made. It is in respect to granting the motion for a new trial. The judgment of the court on that motion recites that it is sustained on the first and second grounds; that is, the refusal to give an affirmative charge for defendant as requested in writing.

The action is in unlawful detainer. The argument of counsel shows that the court granted the motion upon the idea that the demand for possession (section S001, Code) was not preceded by a notice to quit.

Plaintiff’s contention is that she rented the land to defendants for the year 1933; that they occupied it that year, under that lease, and then in the fall of the year claimed to have bought, it from plaintiff in the preceding year, and denied that they had rented it from her for that year, and refused to pay her rent.

Defendants exhibited a deed from plaintiff dated January 1932, but plaintiff’s evidence tended to show it was never delivered, but some one had agreed to lend defendants the amount of the purchase price, and the deed was placed in the hands of her lawyer fox-examination. Her bank failed, and then she died and did not make the loan.

It appears that the deed Was carried to the lawyer by one who came with defendant, and after about a year or more it was returned to him who carried it to the lawyer.

It seems to be upon the basis of that deed that defendants claimed the land. By. reason of such adverse claim and repudiation of any relation of tenant to plaintiff, she (plaintiff) on November 29, 1933, gave defendants notice in writing to vacate the land. This was equivalent to a demand for possession under section 8001, Code. The suit,was filed more than ten clays after the notice was served.

Appellees rely upon the authority of Myles v. Strange, 226 Ala. 49, 145 So. 313, to support the ruling of the court. .

The jury found for the plaintiff. The effect was to find that defendants did rent the land from plaintiff, as she testified.

Defendants do not insist that the tenants in this form of action can show as a defense that they had the title when they rented the land from plaintiff, or that they have acquired plaintiff’s title since doing so, because in this action the title cannot be inquired into. Jordan v. Sumners, 222 Ala. 314, 132 Ala. 427; Davis v. Pou, 108 Ala. 443, 19 So. 362; Archer v. Sibley, 201 Ala. 495, 78 So. 849.

Two notices or demands are not necessary, except when one is essential to the termination of the right to possession. When the possessory right has teiminated for any reason, then only such demand as is re-quii-ed by section 8001, Code, is necessary. That demand was given. A prior notice to quit is not necessary, if the right to hold does not exist without that notice. In the case of Wells v. Sheerer, 78 Ala. 142, 146, it is Observed:

“But the tenant may repudiate the relationship, and set up an advei-se claim and possession in himself, which, when properly brought home, whether expx-essly or by implication, to the knowledge of the landlord, will put in operation the statute of limitations in the tenant’s favor. ■ ■
“But the rule of the common law is, that whenever a tenant undertakes to disavow the relationship in this manner, by a hostile claim of ownership in himself—such a claim, at least, as would mature into a good title under the opex-ation of the statute of limitations, if not redressed by action—this repudiation of the loyalty of his obligations will operate as a forfeiture of the lease, at the elec *484 tion of the landlord, wlio may proceed to consider the tenant - as a stranger and a trespasser, and eject him accordingly. Willison v. Watkins, 3 Pet. 43, 7 L. Ed. 596; Newman v. Rutter, 8 Watts [Pa.] 51; Jackson v. Vincent, 4 Wend. [N. Y.] 633; Duke v. Harper, 6 Yerg. [Tenn.] 230, 27 Am. Dec. 462.”

And in Dahm v. Barlow, 93 Ala. 120, 125, 9 So. 598, it is said: “But the weight of authority seems to be that a purchase by a tenant of an adverse title, and claiming under it, is regarded as a forfeiture of his term,” citing Willison v. Watkins, 3 Pet. 43, 48, 7 L. Ed. 596. From the latter case we quote as follows:

“Had there been a formal lease, for a term not then expired, the lessee forfeited it, by this act of hostility; had it been a lease at will, froim. year to year, he was entitled to no notice to quit, before an ejectment. The landlord’s action would be as against a trespasser; as much so as if no relation had ever existed between them. * * *
“As to the assertion of his claim, the possession is as adverse and as open to his action, as one acquired originally by wrong; and we cannot assent to the proposition, that the possession shall assume such character as one party alone may choose to give it. The act is conclusive on the tenant; he cannot make his disclaimer and adverse claim, so as to protect himself, during the unexpired term of the lease; he is a trespasser on him who has the legal title; the relation of landlord and tenant is dissolved, and each party is to stand upon his right
“It is on this principle alone, that the plaintiff could claim to recover in this action. If there was, between him and the defendant, an existing tenancy, at the time it was brought, he had no right of entry. The lessee cannot be a trespasser, during the existence of the lease, and cannot be turned out, till its termination. At the end of a definite term, the lessor has his election to consider the lessee a trespasser, and to enter on him by ejectment; but if he suffers him to remain in possession, he becomes a tenant at will, or from year to year, and in.

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Bluebook (online)
161 So. 482, 230 Ala. 397, 1935 Ala. LEXIS 196, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/sherrill-v-garth-ala-1935.