Whitmire v. Spears

Statutory bill to quiet title to certain lands situated in St. Clair county, filed by appellees against appellant. The bill was sufficient as against any demurrer interposed thereto. In a bill of this character it is unnecessary to allege in terms that the complainant was the owner of the land at the time the bill was filed. Section 9905 et seq., Code 1923; Vaughan v. Palmore, 176 Ala. 72, 57 So. 488.

Complainants do not insist that they were in the actual possession of the land at the time the bill was filed, but that they were in the peaceable, constructive, possession thereof, having shown a complete legal title in fee simple; no actual possession in some one else appearing. Wood Lumber Co. v. Williams, 157 Ala. 73, 47 So. 202.

The muniments of title offered in evidence by the complainants traced the title to this land back to one James Calhoun. As to Calhoun's title the record discloses the following:

"Complainants first offered in evidence a duly certified copy under the seal of the probate judge of St. Clair county, Ala., as taken from the Tract Book of said county, and showing that James Calhoun entered all of the north half of section 14, township 17, range 1 east, in St. Clair county, Ala., from the United States Land Office, on the 7th day of November, 1960 [1860]."

This certificate was offered under the provisions of section 7675, Code of 1923. See, also, Perryman v. Wright, 189 Ala. 351,66 So. 648.

This cause was tried upon oral and documentary proof before the chancellor. The certificate above referred to is not set out in the record. Counsel for appellant vigorously insist that the record is too meager in reference thereto to disclose that the title passed out of the government into Calhoun. It has been held that the word "entry," used in connection with homestead law, in popular understanding, means not only the preliminary application, but the proceeding as a whole to complete the transfer of the title. Chaplin v. U.S., 193 F. 879, 114 C.C.A. 93; Bradford v. U.S., 152 F. 617, 81 C.C.A. 607. See, also, 20 Corpus Juris, 1266; 2 Words and Phrases, Second Series, 283; section 778, subdivs. 14, 15, Code 1923. In subdivision 14 appears the words "entry of public lands," and is significant in this connection.

But, however this may be, in the absence of the certificate itself, we must indulge conclusions in favor of the ruling of the court below, to the effect that the acquisition of title by Calhoun from the government is sufficiently disclosed. It therefore results that the complainants have shown a complete legal title.

The chancellor evidently reached the conclusion that no one else was in the actual possession of the property at the time of the filing of the bill, and that the evidence was insufficient also to show a "scrambling possession."

As to actual possession the evidence is in conflict. It has been read with due care. The trial court had the witnesses before him, and we are not disposed to disturb his conclusion of fact.

It is not contended by counsel for appellant that the respondent has established any title by adverse possession. The complainants having made out their prima facie case, and the evidence offered by the respondent being insufficient to overcome the same, were properly decreed relief.

There is some argument as to the sufficiency of the decree, and its failure to describe the land. While a description of the land in the decree would have been preferable, yet its omission is not error. The decree specifically refers to the land as described in the bill, and, for certainty, as to the land involved, one would only have to turn to this particular portion of the pleading.

The respondent was properly taxed with the cost. While she disclaimed as to some of the land, yet she contested as to the 80 acres, which contest formed the basis of this litigation. Being unsuccessful therein, the decree taxing her with the costs was entirely proper.

Finding no error, the decree appealed from will accordingly be here affirmed.

Affirmed.

ANDERSON, C. J., and SAYRE and MILLER, JJ., concur.