Schultze v. Frost-Johnson Lumber Co.

61 So. 404 | La. | 1913

Lead Opinion

BREAUX,- C. J.

In the -present case plaintiffs bought,the land they",claim from the1 heirs of - the laté Thomas Green Davidson and his first wife, Mrs. Frances E. Davidson. Mrs. Davidson died in 1862. Prior to 1872, Thos. Green Davidson settled with the children of his first wife for all amounts inherited by them from their mother.

[1] The weight of evidence is that the heirs who undertook to transfer to plaintiffs the property in 1888 had received their inheritance from Thos. G. Davidson long prior to that date, and in consequence had no claim to transfer.

Plaintiffs brought this suit to recover judgment against the defendants for the property described in their petition which belonged to Davidson- and his first wife. The-Succession of the first'wife having been settled, there is no right Of actionin' so far as relates to the succession of the first Mrs. Davidson.

[5]' The prescription pleaded of'30 years and of 10 years is a'complete bar. It must be borne in mind that Mrs. Davidson died 'in 1862. It is now too late for the heirs to recover these lands against those who have had possession ¿S owners in good faith for over 10 years. ' " ! '

[2,3] Now, as to the interest of Thos. Green Davidson' in these lands':' The act of sale of March 26, 1875, was’ destroyed at the time that the courthouse was destroyed by-fire. Thos.' G." Davidson conveyed the land to George Colmer. This deed is dated March .25, 1875; it was confirmed by an authentic act of 1877 — an act made nécessary'by the fact that the original 'deed had been ‘destroyed by fire, as just before mentioned. It is streirúoüslyurged'-'that the deed was, not authentic. Conceding for a moment, -that it was'not, it'was duly recordfe'd iff thé recorder’s office in due time. But,. conceding that it was not recorded in due time, it was an act inter partes (the act of the father, Thos. G. Davidson, as to whom his heirs cannot plead they were third persons); ■ they are not in a position to invoke the law of registry; and they are bound by the acts of-their ancestor. It had been his property as head of the community, and what he did in disposing of it is binding upon the heirs.

[4] The contention is also that it was a dation en paiement, and that, as actual possession had not been given, the dation could not be of any effect. This is very true as to third persons, but not as to the heirs. As to third persons, there is no dation en paiement unless delivery is made. Moreover, it was an onerous donation; after 30 years it cannot very well be annulled for the effect of time and prescription have cured defects of form, if any there were, as claimed. Hughes v. Mattes, 104 La. 218, 28 South. 1006.

It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the judgment appealed from is affirmed.

---

Rehearing

On Application for Rehearing.

PER CURIAM.

The two cases (No. 19,084 [60 South. 629]¹ and No. 19,085) are very similar. The issues were decided in No. 19,084, a decision handed down recently. It was applicable to both cases. Jn both cases, plaintiffs and appellants attack a dation en paiement made by Thomas Green Davidson, over 30 years before this suit was brought, on the ground that the sale was without consideration; that the judgment preceding the sale was illegal, and other similar grounds. Plaintiffs also claim that the property belonged to the first community between Thomas Green Davidson and his first wife, mother of the plaintiffs; vendor and plaintiffs allege that, on the death of the wife, her heirs became the legal owners of her half interest therein.

That is all true, and plaintiff's would be entitled to recover if they had not concluded themselves by estoppel and by allowing prescription to run during 30 years. Moreover, the evidence shows that plaintiffs’ authors in title have settled with their father (Dávidson) and received sums in satisfaction of their claim. The papers had been destroyed by fire, and for that reason effect was given to oral testimony, admitted at the instance of defendants, which the court considered entirely truthful.

Plaintiffs bought the interest of the heirs of Mr. and Mrs. Davidson in the estate of their father and mother. There was no physical description given of the property. It passed from owner to owner, as well it might, as purchasing the interest of the heirs in the estate was not the purchase of separate, well-described property such as is required in order to transfer a good title. In other words, there was no record owner of the property to serve as a notice that the antecedent title had passed to others than those under which defendants own.

We have considered all the issues in this case, and, after careful deliberation, we have not at any time thought that it was possible to recognize plaintiffs as owners of the property. Third persons have acquired rights that must be recognized after settlement lie tween the heirs and their late father and the many years that have elapsed.

Rehearing refused.

1 131 La. 956.