Rigdon v. Shirk

Mr. Justice Shops

delivered the opinion of the Court:

This is a bill filed by appellee, to remove what is assumed to be a cloud upon his title to the land in controversy. The alleged cloud grows out of the recording of a certain agreement between Shirk and Rigdon and one McNeill, bearing date January 21,1886.

The principal inquiry is, whether the claim of appellant is, in fact, a cloud upon appellee’s legal title. A cloud is said to be the semblance of a title, either legal or equitable, or a claim of an interest in lands, appearing in some legal form, but which is, in fact, unfounded, or which it would be inequitable to enforce. If the claim sought to be removed is valid, and may be enforced either at law or in equity, it can not be said to be a cloud. It therefore becomes necessary to inquire into the nature and character of appellant’s interest and claim in respect to the land, and whether he has a substantial interest in the same, of which he has been deprived by the decree.

Appellant had acquired from the former owners of the land options to purchase the same at a fixed price, within a limited period of time, which options he assigned to appellee, whereby the latter was enabled to acquire the title to the several tracts of land at an aggregate price not exceeding $105,000. The tract of land now owned by Shirk was acquired from a number of persons, each owning a portion in severalty. The purpose seems to have been to acquire title to a compact body of land of the size and dimensions suitable for the erection of a hotel. The options had been procured from the several owners by Rigdon, as it seems, before negotiations- had opened between himself and Shirk. At the time of the transfer of the options, Shirk gave appellant a writing certifying that appellant was interested in the options so assigned, and that he (Shirk) was to hold such options for the joint benefit of both parties. This writing also stipulated that in case Shirk bought the property under the options, he would give Rigdon one-half of the net profit derived therefrom, after deducting the full purchase price paid, with eight per cent interest on the same for the time he might hold the property, and that it should not be sold at less than $175,000 before May 1,1887, unless by consent of both parties. The options assigned gave the right to the holder to purchase the several tracts named in said options, at a fixed price, within the time fixed by the makers of the same. A contract giving such an option, when fairly made upon sufficient consideration, is valid. When not otherwise provided, such contract may be assigned, and is of value to the holder, if it may be enforced, giving him the advantage of any increase in the value of the property. The question of the legality of such contract is not involved in this litigation, for the reason that the makers of the options conveyed the property to Shirk in accordance with their terms. Appellee, Shirk, having availed himself of the options, and acquired the title to the property under them, ought not, at least in a court of equity, to be excused from the performance of the contract under and by virtue of which he obtained their assignment. That contract was, that he would hold the options for the joint and equal benefit of himself and appellant, after first deducting the sum expended in the purchase, with interest thereon from the time he should hold the property. Appellee thereby secured to himself the money advanced by him, with interest and one-half the profits, while the compensation to Rigdon was agreed to be one-half of the profits over and above the purchase price and interest.

It is undoubtedly true that the project of the formation of a hotel company which should erect a hotel thereon, taking a lease of the land, was contemplated by both parties, and was no doubt an inducement to the -purchase under the options, as well as to their procurement and assignment. Both parties expected, when the options were transferred, that the property, if purchased thereunder, would be leased at a price that would yield a profit over and above the interest reserved upon the purchase money. Provision was, however, made for a disposition of the property in the event of a failure to secure the anticipated leasing thereof. It was not to be sold before the first of May, 1887, for less than $175,000, unless both Rig-don and Shirk consented to such sale, and the profits were, as we have seen, in the event of a sale, whenever made, to be equally divided between Rigdon and Shirk. It was also contemplated by both parties, that in case of the erection of the proposed hotel and the taking of a lease by the hotel company, a sale of the reversion and lease might be made. It was in view of this that the tripartite contract dated January 21, 1886, was entered into between appellee, appellant and Malcolm McNeill. After the purchase by Shirk under the options, a hotel company was incorporated and organized, the capital stock of which was subscribed, but never any of it paid, the project having been abandoned in consequence of the insolvency of the principal promoter.

Before considering the effect of ‘the tripartite agreement, it will be proper to notice, that while the negotiations were pending between Shirk and McNeill, and the hotel company, represented by McNeill, a memorandum was made hearing the same date of the agreement, but in fact executed some days prior, showing the understanding of Shirk'and Rigdon of the relations each bore in respect of this property. By that instrument, Shirk agrees with Rigdon that if McNeill takes the benefit of an option given by him to McNeill to purchase the property, describing it, for $205,000, on or before September 1, 1886, he would pay Rigdon $50,000 of this amount. The memorandum or agreement then proceeds: “I am to purchase the property at a price not to exceed $105,000. If McNeill does not purchase the property as above, then Rigdon and Shirk are to sell the property on or before October 1, 1887, at the best price they can obtain for the same, and the amount received over and above $105,000, will be divided equally between Shirk and Rigdon, Rigdon to receive one-fourth of the ground rent until the property is sold.—E. W. Shirk.

It is conceded that this instrument was made in view of the negotiations with McNeill and others in respect to the erection of a hotel upon the premises, and taking a lease thereof, which it was expected shortly to consummate, and was a private memorandum, temporary in its character. But it is also shown that it was made upon the demand of Rigdon for some kind of writing showing his interest in the property, and which was to be recognized by Shirk. This memorandum, even if intended to be but temporary, until the tripartite contract could be entered into, very clearly shows the understanding of both Shirk and Rigdon in respect of Rigdon’s interest in this property. If the tripartite contract had not been made, it is evident that Shirk would have held the property bought by him under these options, first, as a -security for the repayment to himself of $105,000 and the interest thereon; and secondly, after that lien was discharged, the balance in trust for himself and Rigdon, in equal shares. In other words, Shirk and Rig-don would have been, in a sense, partners in the proceeds of the property over and above its cost price, and interest thereon.

As we have seen, by the first agreement entered into between these parties, the property was not to be sold, before a stated period, for less than $175,000. It is evident that a sale was expected to he made to McNeill for $205,000, hut if that failed, then the property was to be sold by “Rigdon and Shirk on or before October 1, 1887,” at the best price they could get, and Rigdon was to “receive one-fourth of the ground rent until the property was sold.” If the property was worth more than $105,000, the cost price, and the interest on that sum at eight per cent until the sale should be made, it is apparent that both parties understood that appellant had an interest in the same to the extent of one-half of such excess.

It is claimed that the tripartite agreement entered into between McNeill, Rigdon and Shirk, dated January 21, 1886, but in fact executed January 30, 1886, supersedes all former agreements between appellee and appellant, and that all prior contracts between them were merged therein, and that such agreement must alone be looked to as fixing the rights of the parties. It is perhaps enough to say that the last agreement referred to was based upon a contingency which never happened. The second clause of that agreement contemplates and provides for the incorporation of the hotel company, with a capital stock of not less than $400,000. The third clause provides that the hotel company thus organized should lease the premises as vacant and unoccupied ground from Shirk, at an annual rental of $12,000, and taxes and assessments levied or assessed thereon, said rental to be payable quarterly in advance, commencing on September 1, 1886, and for a period of ninety-nine years. Of this rent, three-fourths was to be paid to Shirk and one-fourth to Rigdon, so long as Shirk might retain the title to the premises. By the fourth clause, Shirk and Rigdon gave McNeill an option to .purchase the premises, including the lease thereof to the hotel company, at any time before September 1, 1887, for the sum of $205,-000, $50,000 of which was to be paid to Rigdon and the balance to Shirk. McNeill was also authorized to sell the premises, and lease to any other person or persons at a price that would yield Shirk and Rigdon the sum of $205,000. By the fifth clause it was provided that in case McNeill should fail to purchase or make sale of the premises on or before September 1, 1887, then Shirk should be at liberty to sell the sainé, and the proceeds, over and above the cost price paid by him, to be divided as was provided in the fourth clause.

The hotel company organized on paper only. No subscriptions to the capital stock were ever paid, and no lease of the property was executed as provided for and contemplated in the tripartite agreement. The reason for this, no doubt, was that McNeill, the principal subscriber to the capital stock and promoter of the project, was insolvent. The incorporation of the company was abandoned by all parties. Thus it is seen that the tripartite contract proved abortive from the failure of the enterprise upon which it was predicated. There was nothing left upon which it could operate. It may be said that the fifth clause of such agreement remained operative, which provided for the sale by Shirk upon McNeill’s failure to purchase or sell the premises and lease. As we have seen, no lease was executed; the right given to McNeill to purchase was of the reversion; with the lease provided therein to be executed by the hotel company. But if this view is not correct, and the fifth clause of such agreement remains, Shirk was to sell, and the proceeds were to be divided by first paying himself his purchase money, and the residue was to be divided as provided for in the fourth clause of said agreement.

Neither appellant nor appellee seems to have been in any way responsible for the failure to carry into effect the tripartite agreement. Both seem to have done all they could to prevent the happening of the contingency which rendered the tripartite agreement nugatory. It is not seen upon what principle, if it he found that Rigdon'had a valuable interest in the proceeds of this property before the execution of the tripartite agreement, he lost it by the execution of said agreement, or upon which Shirk acquired the interest of Rigdon, or it became extinguished by the entering into of an agreement for lease and sale of the property, which, by the failure of a third party to keep and perform his agreement, was not carried into effect.

By the contract between these parties, Shirk at all times reserved to himself a first lien for the money advanced in the purchase of the property, with interest at eight per cent thereon for the time he might hold the same, while Rigdon’s interest related solely to a share of the profits made upon the investment. How has that interest been divested? It is to be remembered that Shirk comes into a court of equity and asks its aid, and, upon the very plainest principles,'he should be required to do equity. It is not seen that Rigdon has done any act by which he has lost his interest, nor. why, in justice and good conscience, Shirk should not sell the property for the best price attainable, repay himself his money, with interest, and divide the overplus as he agreed to do, and upon the faith of which agreement he acquired the valuable right that Rig-don held in the options under which the purchase by Shirk was consummated. We think that while the claim of Rigdon is for money, or a share of the profits to be made upon a sale of the land, it appearing that the land was acquired by Shirk to be held by him in trust for the benefit of himself and Rigdon in. respect of these profits, it is such an interest, in equity, as should not be removed .from the legal title of Shirk. Equity demands that Shirk should carry out his contract; the failure to lease to the hotel company or to sell to McNeill by no means discharges the trust upon which he became invested with the legal title.

No question is involved in respect of the decree so far as it affects the defendant McNeill.

It follows that we are of opinion that the decree as to Big-don was erroneously entered, and must be reversed. The cause is -remanded to the court below, for further proceedings not inconsistent with the views here expressed.

Decree reversed.

Mr. Chief Justice Craig :

I do not concur with a majority of the court in the decision of this ease. I think the prior agreements were merged in the tripartite agreement, and as Bigdon has no right or title in and to the premises under that agreement, I think complainant had the right to have that agreement set aside as a cloud on his title.