Heavilin v. O'Connor , 61 Mont. 507 ( 1921 )

MR. COMMISSIONER SPENCER

prepared the opinion for the court.

This is an action by plaintiff for the cancellation of certain judgments, certificates of sale on execution, and deeds described. in the complaint and claimed to constitute clouds upon the title to mining claims alleged to be owned by Henderson Mining Company. From a judgment for defendants and an order denying a new trial, plaintiff appeals.

As a basis for his action, plaintiff details in the complaint all proceedings had in a cause commenced in the district court of the third judicial district for Granite county, which resulted, in the entry of a judgment in his favor and against Henderson Mining Company, a corporation, on June 30, 1916. By virtue of this judgment plaintiff asserts a lien upon what is known as “the' Henderson Mine,” which comprises four claims designated as “Queen,” “Maud S.,” “Sunol,” and “Toe Calk” quartz lode mining claims. The plaintiff has then attempted to allege facts disclosing claims by the various defendants, constituting clouds upon the title of the Henderson Mining Company, which he alleges is the true owner of. the property against which he seeks to enforce payment of his judgment lien, and contends that by reason of these alleged facts he is prevented from securing a bidder upon execution sale, and alleges that he is thereby in effect denied the right of foreclosure under that lien. All defendants appeared, Horn, Brown, Chas. D. McClure, Clara E. McClure, W. R. McClure, and Chas. D. McClure, Jr., disclaiming any right, title, or interest whatsoever in the property involved, Henderson Mining Company ansivering that it has been dissolved as a corporation, all of its property sold, and generally denying the allegations of the complaint; and the defendant Scott and Pan Metallic Company setting up superior right and title to that claimed by the plaintiff. Superiority of defendant Scott’s lien is conceded, and the only active -defense is by Pan Metallic Company. Jury was waived by all parties, and trial had to the court, culminating in judgment for the defendants for their costs, the court holding that the complaint did not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. Whether or not that ruling is correct is the only question necessary to a determination of these appeals.

Plaintiff invokes the provisions of sections 6115 and 6116, Revised Codes, in support of his right of action and method of procedure. These sections are:

“6115. A written instrument, in respect to which there is a reasonable apprehension that if left outstanding it may cause serious injury to a person against whom it is void or voidable, may, upon his application, be so adjudged, and ordered to be delivered up or canceled.

“6116. An instrument, the invalidity of which is apparent upon its face, or upon the face of another instrument which is necessary to the use of the former in evidence, is not to be deemed capable of causing injury within the provisions of the last section.”

Conceding, without, deciding, that plaintiff may maintain his [1] action under authority of the statutes just quoted, the correctness of the decision of the court below is patent upon the face of the complaint, because it alleges that the claim of Pan Metallic Company is based upon a deed from Clara E. and Chas. D. McClure, and that they had no title at the time the deed was executed (which is a mere conclusion of the pleader), but fails to state whether the deed was dated or recorded prior or subsequent to the date of the judgment lien, and thereby fails to disclose some of the elements necessary to constitute the cloud. Approval of the principle that the facts showing the apparent validity of the instrument claimed to constitute the cloud, as well as the facts showing its invalidity, must be pleaded, is found in Hicks v. Rupp, 49 Mont. 40, 140 Pac. 97, and cases cited. Hence it follows that, unless the complaint discloses facts in accordance with this rule, there is a fatal omission in the pleading, and the plaintiff, having failed to comply with these requirements as to the Pan Metallic Company, has not stated a cause of action, and cannot prevail against it. Because of the absence of essential elements the complaint is insufficient as to the several defendants McClure, Horn and Brown, but by reason of their disclaimer of any right, title or interest in the property involved herein, the plaintiff is entitled to no affirmative relief against them, and further discussion of the pleading as to their asserted claims is unnecessary.

Rehearing denied January 7, 1922.

We find no error in the record, and therefore recommend that the judgment and order be affirmed.

Per Curiam:.For the reasons given in the foregoing opinion, the judgment and order are affirmed.

Affirmed.