Hollingsworth v. Walker , 98 Ala. 543 ( 1893 )

STONE, C. J.

This is a statutory action for the recovery of lands under section 2696 of the Code of 1886.

The lands sued for were originally the property 'of Jesse 0. Leek, under whom both plaintiffs and defendant assert title. The plaintiffs are the heirs at law of Joshua R. Walker, deceased. On the 29th of May, 1877, Jesse 0. Leek and wife executed a deed, by which they conveyed the land sued for to .Joshua B. Walter. On the 28th day of September, 1880, Joshua E. Walter and John F. Walter together carried the said deed and surrendered it to said Leet. On that day, at their joint request, Leet and wife conveyed the same lands to John F. Walter; and he, the said John F. Walter, then and there paid to Leet $1,200.00, the agreed purchase price of the land. Early in the year 1881, one Patriot went into possession of the land, and occupied and cultivated it during that year. He entered under a contract of letting from John F. Walter, cultivated as his tenant and paid him rent. Up to this time, neither Joshua E. nor John F. Walter had ever resided on the land. The proof is not very specific whether any one actually occupied the lands during the years 1882 and 1888. John F. Walter testified, that to the best of his recollection he resided on the lands during those years. There was some testimony that John F. Walter did not actually live on the lands until 1884. He testified for himself that he had been in full possession of the lands, living on them and claiming them as his own for more than ten years before the commencement of this suit, Nov. 3, 1891, and had rented the lands and collected the rents ; and that Patriot, tenant for the year 1881, went into possession of the lands under him. He testified further, that in 1888 or 1889, he moved his father, Joshua E. Walter, on the place ; and that he, said Joshua E., lived in the yard with the witness, until he died in June, 1890. There was no testimony, other than what is here stated, that J oshua E. Walter ever lived on, or exercised any acts of ownership, or asserted any claim to the lands, after the deed was made to John F. Walter in September, 1880, or that during that time he had any tenant in possession of said lands or any part of them.

The. surrender bact of the deed of May 29, 1877 to Leek did not have the effect of revesting title in the latter. The legal title still remained in Joshua Walter.—Brady v. Huff, 75 Ala. 80; Smith v. Cockrell, 66 Ala. 64; Reavis v. Reavis, 50 Ala. 60; King v. Crocheron, 14 Ala. 822; Gimon v. Davis, 36 Ala. 589.

It follows, that in the execution of the deed of Sept. 1880, the legal title was not conveyed to John F. Walter, but remained in Joshua E. Walter. We say nothing of the equitable rights, which would vest in John F. Walter by virtue of this transaction, as testified to. That can avail nothing in this action at law. So, the sole question in this case is, whether John F. Walter has acquired a title to the property by ten years adverse holding.

We bold that a fair interpretation of tbe testimony shows that John E. Walker took actual possession and control of the lands as early as the first of the year 1881; and that he continued to exercise actual dominion over the lands up to the time of the bringing of this suit — more than ten years afterwards. We do not think any unfavorable interpretation can be placed on the absence or uncertainty of proof, as to who actually occupied the lands during the years 1882 and 1888. The natural inference from the testimony is, that whether the said John E. Walker was actually on the lands during those years or not, they were occupied by some person in his right. Proof of the existence, at a given time, of a status that is continuous in its nature, raises the presumption that it continues, unless there is some testimony showing the contrary. This prevents any gap in the continuity of possession; and the said Joshua R. Walker’s subsequent actual occupancy of the premises, under the extremest view we can take of the testimony, would. not interfere with the continued independent possession of the said John E. Walker.

We concur with the City Court in holding the defendant’s plea of ten years adverse possession was made good.

Affirmed.