Crow v. Owensboro and Nashville R. R.

| Ky. Ct. App. | May 29, 1884

JUDGE HINES

delivered the opinion op the court.

In 1869 appellant executed to appellee a conveyance-for five and two-thirds acres of land containing these provisions: 4 4 For, and in consideration of a depot being located on the same, we hereby bargain, sell, and convey to the Owensboro and Russellville R. R. Company” a certain defined boundary of land, and concluding: “In this transfer it is to be distinctly understood that said land is to be used by said railroad company for railroad purposes solely, and in case of any violation of this agreement by said company then said land shall revert to us.”

On the 15th of January, 1880, this suit was filed, alleging the construction of the railroad, over the land, and its operation, but charging that no depot building had been erected thereon; alleging the width of the land occupied and necessary to be used in operating the road, and seeking to recover that portion of the land not necessary to the operation of the road. The petition closed with this prayer: “ Wherefore the plaintiff prays that the court adjudge said lands have reverted to the plaintiffs — that said deed be declared void — that plaintiff have possession thereof, and for judgment for his costs, and all proper and general relief.”

The evidence tends to show that the road was constructed within a reasonable time, and operated with but little interruption up to the institution of this •act'on. but also shows that no depot building was •erected on the land.

Tn:jre is in the petition no allegation that there was a failure, within a reasonable time, to erect of establish a depot building, nor is there any allegation of any demand or request to establish such a building, nor of •damages resulting from such failure.

Section 90 of the present code of practice in civil •cases, which provides: “The petition must state facts which constitute a cause of action in favor of the plaintiff against the defendant, and must demand the specific relief to which the plaintiff considers himself •entitled, and may contain a general prayer for any other relief to which the plaintiff may appear to be •entitled. If no defense be made, the plaintiff can not have judgment for any relief not specifically demanded ; but if defense be made, he may have judgment for other relief, under a prayer therefor,” is ■simply an affirmation of what the practice was prior to the adoption of this provision.

Under that practice it was required that m order to have relief under a general prayer the relief must be ■consistent with that specifically prayed, as well as with the case made by the bill. 1 Daniel’s Chancery Pleading and Practice, p. 378.

Here the relief sought is inconsistent with that set out in the petition, as well as with that specifically prayed. The petition sets forth an action for the partial rescission of the contract, while the prayer is for a complete rescission.

The erection of the depot appéars to have been one of the considerations for which the conveyance was made, but not the sole consideration, and probably not the material consideration; but whether this court could reverse, as the pleadings stand, if the erection of the •depot, were the main consideration, need not be considered, since the pleadings and the prayer to the petición are inconsistent and irreconcilable with the relief .sought on this appeal.

Judgment affirmed.