Broderick v. Cary

98 Wis. 419 | Wis. | 1898

Maeshall, J.

It is claimed by the appellant that the com-

plaint does not state a good cause of action, within the general equity powers of courts in actions guia timet, in that the invalidity of the alleged hostile claim appears by the record, hence it does not constitute a cloud on the plaintiff’s title. For the purposes of this case that may be conceded. Moore v. Cord, 14 Wis. 213; Pier v. Fond du Lac, 38 Wis. 470. But sec. 3186,R. S. 1878, as amended by ch. 88,. Laws of 1893, has so enlarged the equity powers of the court as to give a remedy to any person having the legal title to lands against any other person setting up a claim thereto,, to test the validity of such claim, and provides that it shall be sufficient to aver in the complaint the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s estate in the land, describing it as accurately as may be; that the plaintiff is in possession thereof, or that it is Vacant and unoccupied; and that the defendant makes some claim thereto; and to demand judgment that the plaintiff’s claim be established against any claim of the defendant, and that he be forever barred against having or claiming any right or title in the land adverse to the plaintiff. The statute has extended the right of action so that it may be resorted to by any person having either title to, or a lien or incumbrance on, land, whether in or out of possession, against ■any person making a claim hostile to such title, lien, or in-cumbrance. Whether the hostile claim be apparently valid on its face or the record, so as to constitute a cloud on the title strictly so called, according to adjudications under the old action guia timet, is immaterial. Fox v. Williams, 92 Wis. 320.

It is claimed by the appellant, however, that the complaint does not state a cause of action because of a failure to allege, in the words of the statute, that the defendant makes some claim to the land. Manifestly, the statute does not require such an allegation. It merely provides that as to the ad- - verse claim it shall be sufficient to so allege. Clearly, if the facts constituting the adverse claim are alleged, it satisfies the statute. It is expressly provided that, in order to establish the fact that the defendant is setting up or making some claim to the land, ‘it shall be sufficient to introduce in evidence any instrument in ■ writing, theretofore at any time appearing of record, or the record thereof, or a duly-certified copy of such record, purporting to convey to, or otherwise affect in favor of, the defendant, the title to the land adversely to the plaintiff, or under or through which the plaintiff does not trace his claim or title.’ It would seem to follow, necessarily, that allegations which, if true, show the existence ■of a hostile claim of title, cannot be added to by alleging, as a conclusion, that the defendant is making such hostile claim. That proof of a sale of land on execution, on a judgment against a person having no interest in such land at the time of the rendition of such judgment or subsequent thereto, establishes a claim of title to the land adverse to the true owner, within the meaning of the statute, was expressly ruled in Maxon v. Ayers, 28 Wis. 612, which case seems to touch this unfavorably to the appellant at every point. Said Mr. Justice Cole there, in effect, the placing of a certificate of sale of land on file under such circumstances is the setting up of a claim of title to such land in the most unequivocal manner, and is directly calculated to throw doubt on the title of the, true owner; besides, the danger that a, deed may be issued upon the certificate, unless canceled, capable of being used as a means of vexatious litigation, which will prevent the sale of the property at its full value, is manifest. The sufficiency of the complaint was there under discussion. The issue turned , wholly on whether the statement of facts in reference to the levy upon the land, sale, issuance and filing of the certificate of sale, and its existence of record and outstanding, constituted a setting up of a claim of title to the land within the meaning of the statute. True, the allegations as to the existence of the certificate, and the facts leading up to it and showing that the sale did not in fact affect the plaintiff’s title, Avere followed by a' general allegation that by means thereof the defendant was setting up a claim to the land; but it was considered that such general allegation did not add to the , facts pleaded, on which it ivas based, as a mere conclusion, and that such facts clearly showed that defendant was making some claim to the real estate of the plaintiff as contemplated by the statute.

By the Court.— The order of the circuit court overruling the demurrer to the complaint is affirmed.