Stewart v. Chadwick

| Iowa | Jun 9, 1859

Woodward, J.-

The respondent, Collins, demurred to the bill, and the causes assigned will he noticed, without a formal statement of them. That the contract with Chadwick was made by Waller, as administrator of the estate, and not by the complainants themselves, is not a controlling objection. The minor heirs are the real parties in interest; and a contract by the administrator, relating to the estate, such as he had authority to make, would enure to their ben. eiit, after it should be ascertained that it was not required for the creditors. We are not aware that it has been determined whether those possessory rights, termed “claims,” are real or personal estate. Contracts in relation to improvements upon them have been recognised, and the interest in them has been regarded as a possessory one ; and be. ing possessory only, they coidd not take rank above estates for years, which go to the administrator. Eor this reason, a contract concerning an interest in them, must be regarded as relating to the personalty, and therefore as pertaining to the administrator. And this may become still more clearly true, when the contract is made with the administrator. The early statutes do not imply that these interests were realty. The earliest were those of Michigan and Wisconsin, extended over this territory, which had reference to a state of things existing then, primarily; and when our own first acts were passed, recognizing real estate, there was such property here, as there were sales by the United States in 1838 and 1840. Besides, all these were in anticipation of a condition of things, which was as sure to arise as that population would take possession of the land, so that it is entirely unnecessary to adopt the forced construction that these laws, in assuming the existence of real estate, recognized possessory “ claims ” as such. See Bowman v. Torr, 5 Iowa, 571. As personal property, then, the administrator had rights in connection with it; and as a right, or an interest, whether real or personal, it would descend to the heirs.

No difficulty exists, in reference to the description. The tract is described in different modes in the agreement and the petition, and perhaps in the deeds; but they are shown to be the same parcel. At the latter dates, the numbers took the place of other and more detailed description.

With reference to certain other causes of demurrer, we remark, that it is not essential, under any rule of law, that the petition should show the ages of minor heirs. And the omission to inventory a claim, or other interest, does not operate to forfeit the right of the heirs, in any portion of the estate. The respondent fails to refer us to any provision of law, requiring the heirs to obtain authority from the probate court to prosecute for the recovery of an interest, which they may regard themselves as entitled to. Positions so unfounded as these, are noticed only as an indication that they have been listened to, and not because of any merit requiring attention.

There is more force in the exception, that the agreement does not bind Chadwick to convey to "Waller, the administrator, or to any other person, any interest in the land mentioned. Whatever the intent of the agreement, it is not clearly manifested. It contains provisions, or expressions, tending to either one of two or three constructions: as whether the intent was to give a permanent and substantial interest to the estate, or a usufruct; or whether to give one of these to Chadwick. Extrinsic evidence is properly resorted to, in order to learn the usages of a business, or the use and nature of certain kinds of property, viewed with reference to its application, or the interest to which it may be subservient. It was so done in this case; and from the testimony, we learn, that notwithstanding the general truth of the maxirft, cujus est solum, ejus est ad coettim, and that he who owns the surface, also owns the centre ; yet in mineral lands the surface — the soil as adapted to cultivation — • may be separated from the mineral right, or the right to dig under the surface for ore. We perceive that it is consistent with the nature and adaptation of the property, that one person should hold the one of these rights, whilst another person is interested in the other.

Under the above explanation of the different uses of mineral lands, we are permitted to conceive, that the contracting parties may have intended thus to divide the use or interests in the land in controversy. There had been a difference in relation to the tract; and the parties, in their contract, say in relation to it, “this day settled as a claim formerly in dispute, but this day settled between us, said parties.” It presents some difficulty that the contract indicates a possible right in Chadwick to dig mineral, in providing that if he worked it, he should pay one-sixth to the estate. But, on the other hand, this rentage implies the relation of landlord — of ownership in the estate; and this idea is much strengthened by the provision, that if the administrator (or the estate), work, or discover mineral, they do it “ without paying any part to any person whatsoever.” This clearly indicates the superior right, and the first right of choice, whether to work the mineral or not. One other provision settles the rights of the parties. Chadwick is to enter the property from the United States, and he “ has to receive the surface, or soil, of said property.” The testimony before referred to, shows how the interest in the surface may be separated from the entire interest, or fee. It is clear, that Chadwick was to hold the soil, or surface, the agricultural use of the land ; and the estate, or heirs of Wilson, the mineral right. This was the division made to settle the controversy in relation to the claim. The next question which occurs, is : what was to be the condition of Wilson’s right and interest ? If Chadwick held the title, he would evidently hold the mineral right, intrust for those representing Abraham Wilson. But a trustee does not possess the right to continue to hold the trust-interest in himself, unless this is so provided in the creation of the trust. A conveyance of it to the cestui que trust, may be enforced by a court of equity. This is the condition of the right between Chadwick and the heirs and administrator of Wilson. Chadwick, however, has conveyed to Collins, without reserving the interest of Wilson, in terms. Yet if Collins has taken, with a knowledge of the trust, or of the interest in Wilson, he is chargeable with the trust, and stands in Chadwick’s place.

The court did not err, then, in overruling the demurrer, and we come to the next question, which is, whether Collins had the notice above named. And it is our opinion, that he had. The testimony of Chadwick is clear and definite on this point. It relates to the time of making the contract to sell to Collins. And the testimony of O’Brien confirms that of Chadwick, showing that Collins did not claim to own the entire interest in the land, but the surface only; and this very claim of the soil alone, concurs with the supposed interest of Chadwick, and which he should have sold to Collins. Again: Waller’s statement that Chadwick told him that he had conveyed only the surface, coincides with Chadwick’s, that he informed Collins. It is true that it was not correct — that is, that his deed did carry more ; but this declaration apparently indicates his intentions, and may have expressed what he then thought he had done.

The present is a suitable occasion to advert to the objections to the testimony. The defendant will perceive that his exceptions go to the extent of saying, that the testimony of no one of four witnesses is to be received, although none of them is impeached in respect to his character, reputation, or standing. It is true that there are some incongruities ; but it is to be remembered, that the witnesses testify in respect to transactions running back several years — some of them reaching even to eighteen or twenty years; and that the principal inconsistencies relate to dates, and those not of material importance in the case. On the other hand, in the important facts, the witnesses support each other — circumstances concur — and the written instruments, which do not deceive, also lend their support. Thus, for instance, the agreement between Waller and Chadwick, gives support to the testimony of those witnesses, in so far, at least, as it shows that there was a controversy concerning the claim, and that that was designed as a settlement of it. And similar remarks might be made relative to other portions of the case.

Again, some of the testimony, if measured by strict rules, was not admissible, but no objection was made at the time, so that the fault of question or answer might be corrected; and besides, both parties pursued a similar course, and seem to have aimed at obtaining all the facts, rather than the strict observance of rules.

The objection to Chadwick, as arising from interest, is not well founded. In testifying for the complainants, lie is acting against his interest.' Having given a warranty deed to Collins, covering the entire estate in fee, his interest would lead him to support that conveyance in its full extent. His testimony in relation to the manner in which Nightengale should have obtained the description of the land, does not necessarily indicate anything worse than carelesness; and that concerning the commissioner, goes no fnrtber than to manifest vagueness and looseness of idea in reference to them and their duties. The exceptionable features of his testimony on these subjects, and in reference to the reading of the deed, are susceptible of some extenuation from the circumstance of his illness and suffering, at the time, in consequence of an injury received in the overturning of a coach. The testimony of Smith is intended to impeach Chadwick, and being objected to, is not admissible, the party having laid no foundation in his examination of the latter.

But further, suppose Chadwick did intend to convey the whole fee to Collins, and was false in saying that he had not, or did not intend to, what effect has this upon the case? If he was chargeable as with a trust, and Collins knew it, his intent to deceive either the one or the other, is of no avail in the present inquiry.

We cannot participate with counsel, in their astonishment'or incredibility, as to the testimony of Leemon. He says that the signature to the agreement is his, but that he has no recollection of the transaction — not oven of putting his name to it — and he remembers nothing, and knows nothing about it, except that the signature is his. This is not remarkable. Twelve years before he testified, he put his hand, as a witness, to an instrument in a transaction in which he had no concern, and it is far from incredible that he should recollect nothing, and should know nothing about it, save that his signature is set to it.

The objection to'Waller’s testimony, in relation to Wilson’s claim in the land — that it is hearsay, is urged without proper consideration. It is not hearsay, although his knowledge was not original and direct. lie came into connection with the estate as administrator, and the knowledge he obtains of the interests of the'estate, in the discharge of the duties of such a place, may be termed official, in some sense or degree, and, however obtained, is competent to establish the fact that there was such a claim, or such a demand, belonging to, or set up by the estate, though it may not be sufficient to fix its original truth and validity. -We speak now of the degree, or kind of his knowledge, and not of his competency as a witness.

The disposition of the demurrer, and the above remarks upon the construction of the agreement, embrace the most important questions of the cause, but yet there are some others which demand attention.

The agreement having been made with the express intent of settling prior disputes, the defendant cannot go behind it, as in some respects he seeks to do. Those taking under Chadwick, with notice of the contract, take subject to that settlement. If Sleator and Chadwick permitted the claim to become forfeit, by non-user, they holding lease under Waller, could not set up such forfeiture against him, and obtain a new right as opposed to him, by viitue of the forfeiture. They could not derive a benefit from a forfeiture, created by their own act. Rut, even if this were not so, the agreement, made subsequently, shuts off that question. Whether viewed in relation to this, or any other position, Chadwick cannot controvert the interest of Wilson’s heirs, nor can one holding under him, with notice.

The respondent claims the benefit of new matter set up in iiis answer, and to which there is no replication. lie points out no facts, the benefit of which he asks, and we are unable to perceive anything of importance, or which would aid his cause, which is not embraced in the bill, and in the answer responsive.

Neither is the cause one which should be classed as a stale demand. Regarding its age alone, we should hardly be justified in so treating it, and it is shown that the administrator repeatedly called upon Chadwick for a deed, which he as often promised; and this request was made even after his discharge, which would bring it as late as the year 1851 or .1852. This was at the request of the guardians.

Then, it is to be borne in mind, that the petitioners are still minors, and the court can see nothing to justify it in setting the cause down as one upon a stale demand. This is remarked, without considering whether a claim to real estate, or to an interest in it, as this became upon the purchase of the title, can be treated as such.

The foregoing remarks are believed to touch all the important questions made in the cause. We have arrived at the conclusion that Chadwick held an interest in the land, as trustee for Wilson and his heirs; that when Collins purchased he had knowledge of this interest; that it descended to the heirs of Wilson ; that they had no occasion to go to the probate court, for leave to prosecute this right; that it was not lost, though the administrator omitted to cause it to be entered in the inventory, and returned to the probate court; and, finally, that Collins is, in equity, bound to convey this interest to the petitioners, Joseph and Ann Wilson. The widow of Abraham Wilson has no estate, as such, for which she can sue at present, as in this case. The right descends upon the heirs at law, and when they have' recovered, she makes her claim of dower upon them. This suit is not to settle a right to dower, but to determine the right or title between Collins on the one hand, and the estate of Wilson, represented by his heirs, on the other.

The decree of the district court ds affirmed.