82 F. 45 | 9th Cir. | 1897
This is an action brought by John S. Doe to restrain and enjoin the appellant from committing a continuing trespass upon two mining claims, known as the “Oriental No. 2” and the “Red Cloud,” situate in Calico mining district, San Bernardino county, Cal. John S. Doe died, and the appellees, Bartlett Doe and Charles F. Doe, were appointed executors of his last will and testament, and were substituted as parties plaintiff in the place of the said John S. Doe. The appellant, the Waterloo Mining-Company, owns the Silver King mining claim. This lies north of and adjoining the said Oriental No. 2 and Red Cloud claims. The appellant sunk a shaft or incline upon its own surface ground within the lines of its claim, and from thence drifted into the ground claimed by appellees, and which ground is beneath the surface of that which is within the line of appellees’ claims. This the appellant claims the right to do, and threatens and undoubtedly intends to continue to do, and to extract the ore therein and appropriate the same to its own use. There is a vein of spar, carrying silver and other minerals, in the Silver King lode claim, called the “north vein,” and another sometimes called a “divergent vein,” and at other times the “middle vein.” There is a vein of spar, also carrying silver, which crops out on the Red Cloud and Oriental No. 2, and which in the evidence is termed the “south vein.” Appellant claims that all these veins belong to a mineralized zone whose apex is in the Silver King ground. The Silver King is higher up the mountain than the Red Cloud and Oriental No. 2 claims, and hence upon a higher elevation than the other two. If the ground embracing these three veins is one mineral zone, then the part thereof within the Silver King premises would have the higher elevation. This zone would, however, be cut by the south side line of the Silver King and the north side lines of the Red Cloud and Oriental No. 2. Appellant received pending this suit a patent from the United States to the Silver King lode. The appellees have certificates of sale from the United States for their two claims.
Before proceeding to discuss the questions involving more or less
“This doctrine has boon greatly modified in modern timos, and it is now a common xiractiee, in causes where irremediable mischief is being done or threatened, going to the destruction of the substance of the estate, such as extracting ores from a mine, or the cutting down of timber, or the removal of coal, to issue an injunction, though the iitle to the premises be in litigation. The authority of the court is exercised in such cases, through its preventive writ, to preserve the property pending legal proceedings for the determination of the title.”
Where there is no dispute as to title, there would seem to be no necessity of resorting to an action at law for the purpose of determining the same. But, when there is a dispute as to the legal title, it would seem that the best rule was to require an action at law to settle the legal title. This was so stated in the case of St. Louis Mining & Milling Co. v. Montana Milling Co., 58 Fed. 129. Pending this action, however, an injunction pendente lite would be proper. When the legal title is settled, if the equitable rights such as would
“Where, however, the plaintiff’s title is disputed, the rule is settled that he must, in general, procure his title to be satisfactorily determined, by at least one verdict in his own favor, by at least one successful trial at law, before a court of equity will interfere; but the rule no longer requires any particular number of actions or trials. The reason for this requisite is that courts of equity will not in general try disputed legal titles to land. But the rule is one of expediency and policy, rather than an essential condition and basis of the equitable jurisdiction.”
Here, it is to be observed, the view set forth, that the doctrine that a court of equity will not,*in such a case as this, proceed to determine the issues presented until the legal title, if controverted, is established in an action at law, is one having its foundation in expediency and policy, and not because a court of equity, as a matter of fact, has no jurisdiction to determine a cause where a legal title is disputed and is one of the issues presented for determination. The same author, in volume 1, p. 130, of said work, says, in speaking of the jurisdiction of a court of equity:
“On the contrary, as will be more fully stated hereafter, the objection that the case does not come within this so-called equity jurisdiction must ordinarily be-definitely raised by the defendant at the commencement of the action, or else it will be regarded as waived, and the judgment will not even be erroneous.”
In Modern Equity Practice, by Beach, sections 13 and 14 are as follows:
“Sec. 13. The objection that plaintiff has an adequate remedy at law should be raised by demurrer or by plea, or should be distinctly stated in the answer of the defendant. It comes too late at a hearing on the merits, when the court has jurisdiction of the parlies and the subject-matter.
“Sec. 14. But when the case is one in which it is not- competent for the court to grant the only relief asked, the remedy being at law, or it appears that chancery has not, under any circumstances, jurisdiction 'of the subject of the bill, the court will entertain the objection at any stage of the case, or sua sponte, and dismiss the bill.”
I am of the opinion that these two sections state the correct position. As has been stated before, the relief asked in this case was equitable, and such as a court of law could not afford. An action of trespass, in' which damages only could be recovered, cannot be considered
Counsel for appellees urge that whatever the court might ñnd as to the south vein being a part of a mineralized zone having its apex in the Silver King lode, the premises of appellant, still appellant wTould have no right to follow such lode on its downward course outside the side lines of said Hi! ver King lode, because the location of the same was not made according to law, in this: -that its end lines were not located parallel with each other. It has been observed that the appellant has a patent from the United States for its said lode. Its rights must be determined by the terms of this patent. The description in the patent of the Silver King lode gives it parallel end lines, and grants the right to follow all lodes 'on their dip outside of the side lines-of the same, whose apex is within the surface lines, of the claim, and whose strike is cut by the end lines of the claim extended perpendicularly downward. It is true, perhaps, that in the section of the' mineral land act providing for the issuing of patents by the United Stales for lode claims there is no provision made for grunting any ex-tralateral rights. The language of section 2325, Kev. St., is:
“A pal cut for any land claimed and located for valúa hie deposits may be obtained in the following- manner.”
In section 2319, Kev. St., it is, however, provided:
“All valuable mineral deposits in lands belonging to the United States, both surveyed and unsurveyed, are hereby declared to bo free and open to exploration and purchase, and the lands in which they are found to occupation and purchase.”
It will be observed that the valuable mineral deposits above named are declared to be open to purchase, and that they are distinguished from tire land in which they are found. In section 2322, Kev. St., it will be observed that a lode, vein, or ledge containing a valuable mineral deposit is distinguished from the ground in which the same is found. The grant in this section is:
“Shall have the exclusive right of possession and enjoyment of all the surface included within the lines of their location, and of all veins, lodes and*50 ledges throughout their entire depth, the top or apex of which lies inside of such surface lines, extended downward vertically, although such veins, lodes or ledges may so far depart from a perpendicular in their course downward as to extend outside of the vertical side lines of such surface location.”
Then follow the limitations of the grant, which it is not necessary to quote for a determination of the question now presented for consideration.
It will be observed that the lodes, veins, or ledges granted are distinguished from the surface ground, and are made the subject of a separate grant, and to separate provisions. It may be that congress, considering the provisions of the common law which reserved in every grant from the crown all precious metals, wished to set this matter at rest in these provisions. When we come to the patent for mineral land again, we again observe that the land in which the vein, lode, or ledge is found is treated separately from that of said veins or lodes. Since the passage of the mineral act of 1872, the land department of the United States has given such a'n interpretation to the same as would allow of a patent to the locator of mineral lands for a lode claim; granting to him, not only the ground within the surface linos of his location, but also all lodes, veins, or ledges having their top or apex within the same, throughout their entire depth, although they might, on their dip extending downward into the earth, depart from the side lines of the ground granted. There was a limitation upon this right, which was described in the following language in the patent:
“Provided, that the right of possession to such outside parts of said veins, lodes or ledges shall be confined to such portions thereof as lie between vertical planes drawn downward through the end fines of said lot (naming the same) so continued in their own direction that such planes will intersect such exterior parts of said veins, lodes or ledges; and provided further, that nothing herein contained shall authorize the grantees herein to enter upon the surface of a claim owned or possessed by another.” .
There has also been since said date a reservation in all patents of the ground described,- which is as follows:
(1) “That the premises hereby granted, with the exception of the surface, may be entered by the proprietor of any other vein, lode or ledge, the top or apex of which lies outside of the boundaries of said granted premises, should the same in its dip be found to penetrate, intersect or extend into said premises, for the purpose of extracting and removing the ore from such other vein, lode or ledge.”
Section 2320, Rev. St., provides for the location of mining claims “upon veins or lodes of quartz, or other rock in place, bearing gold, silver, cinnabar, lead, tin, copper, or other valuable deposits.” The act of January 22, 1880 (1 Supp. Rev. St. p. 276), speaks of vein, lode, or ledge sought to be patented.
The land department has considered, in view of all these provisions of the statute, that it was proper to word a patent for mineral land embracing a vein, lode, or ledge, as above described. To interfere with this construction of the said mineral land acts would disturb many rights long enjoyed. A contemporaneous construction of a statute by those compelled to act thereunder is entitled to great weight. The lodes, veins, or ledges conveyed are those embraced within the mining claim located and granted in the patent. The presumptions are in
It is further urged by appellees that this court is bound by the findings of facts of the circuit. court, unless they are found to be clearly and palpably erroneous. On an appeal in an equity suit, the whole case is before the court, and it is bound to decide the same, so far as it is in a condition to be decided, on its merits. Beach, Mod. Eq. Prac. p. 978; Ridings v. Johnson, 128 U. S. 212, 9 Sup. Ct. 72; Garsed v. Beall, 92 U. S. 684-695; Johnson v. Harmon, 94 U. S. 371. if a case lias been referred to a master, and be has made findings of fact, there ought to be exceptions to the same, if any party to the suit is dissatisfied therewith, and a ruling upon the same made by the chancellor. If this course is not adopted, these findings cannot be reviewed on appeal. It is to be observed, however, that the findings of fact by the circuit court are not without some weight in considering the merits of the case. This case, therefore, is presented to this court upon its merits, and must be considered upon the evidence, with such aid as may be found in the findings of the circuit court. The main issue, upon the evidence, is as to whether what is called by the witnesses the “south vein” is a part: of a mineralized zone, which may be denominated a “lode,” and' which has its apex in the Hilver King ground, or is a separate vein or lode, having its apex in the Oriental Xo. 2 and Red Oloud mining claims. Tf it should be determined that this south vein is no part of a lode having its apex in said Silver King claim, then the difficult question that may be presented if the court should find otherwise is not involved. This question is as to what would be the rights of the parties if it was found that the south and north veins were part of one lode, as the said lode would be cut by the south side line of the Silver King lode and the north side line of the Oriental Xo. 2 and the Red Cloud claims. In considering the question as to whether this south vein' is part: of a mineralized zone, which would conn; under the definition of a “lode,” as used in the mineral land act of congress, we are presented with the definition of a “lode” as given by Justice Field in the Eureka Case, 4 Sawy. 302, Fed. Cas. No. 4,548. That definition made the term “lode” “applicable to any zone or belt of mineralized rock lying within boundaries clearly separating it from the neighboring rock. It includes, to use the language cited by counsel, all deposits of mineral matter found through a mineralized zone or belt coming from the same source, impressed with the same forms, and appearing to have been created by the same process.” In considering rhis definition, the facts which confronted that distinguished jurist: in that case should not be lost sight of. He found a lime-rock formation lying between two clearly-defined walls, each hav
“The vein itself has very strong and distinctive features of a foot wall that is continuous. The vein filling is to the south, — that is to say, -towards the hanging-wall side, — with occasional breaks on the foot-wall side, where it shows some jasper, at least; and I presume it was a portion of the vein filling once. So it is easy to trace throughout this whole length of 2,000 feet on the surface, and also in depth. I therefore consider it to be a very continuous, strong vein, so far as it is marked and goes. The vein is like all other fissure veins, or, rather, it has the fissure faulting plane, because it shows some evidence of movement and the hanging wall is somewhat broken. At the Oriental shaft on the*53 upper level the foot wall is very highly polished. Indeed, it shows slickensides very plainly, and it shows there must have heen some movement.”
A little further in his evidence the witness says this vein has a regular dip, which he describes. There are "many other witnesses in the case who note and 'describe this foot wall, and some the hanging wall of this south vein. It is not necessary to quote all this evidence. The witness Aldersley, who was examined on the part of appellant, admits that in some places he found the foot wall of this south vein. He says that the hanging wall thereof was for about: four-fifths of the distance along its strike, as exposed, composed of what he lex-ms “bird’s-eye porphyry,” or what is locally called “bird’s-eye,” and one-fifth mud or brown t.uffa. He says that this bird’s-eye is all the way from 20 to 5 feet thick, according to the locality where found. Tn describing the north vein, upon cross-examination, the witness says:
“Q. Tlie slip was there? A. Yes, sir. Q. Now, then, when they took it out, did they take all out between the foot wall and the hanging wall at the surface? A. Not altogether. It has heen taken out since the first; working. Q. Well, was the hanging wall as well defined as at the foot wall? A. Yes, sir. Q. It was? A. Yes, sir. Q. The whole distance was? A. Yes, sir; well, no hanging wall is ever as well defined as the foot wall, in that position, and I would like to correct myself in that statement. Then that foot wall Is a perfect plane, nearly, — as nearly as can he in a mine, — but the hanging wall did not have that condition. Q. Well, was there any hanging wall distinctly to be traced at the surface? A. Yes. sir. Q. Weil, to wliat extent along the vein was that the case? A. Very near two-thirds of the way. Q. From which end? A. From the east end. Q. To where? A. From the east end two-thirds of the way westward. Q. Along the claim? A. Along the claim, — along the outcrop of the vein. * * * Q. Now, what was the appearance of the hanging Avail for a distance from the surface down 20 feet? A. It had a perfectly smooth, but irregular, surface. Q. .For twenty feet? A. Yes, sir. Q. And AArbat extent on the strike of the vein,— whole distance? A. The AAdiole distance, as far as I knew. There is some parts that are not exposed, and them I cannot vouch for. Q. But there is some of rhat wall exposed there, isn’t it? A. Yes, sir. Q. That hanging wall? A. Yes, sir. Q. What is the character of the rock? A. Bird’s-eye porphyry. Q. Bird’s-eye porphyry right through? A. Yes, sir. Q. Any of it: mud? A. No, sir. Q. How far beloAV the surface, folloAving that bird’s-eye porphyry, do you have to descend before you strike the mud? A. At what point? Q. Any point. A. Well, as 1 said before, on tbe surface of the Cunningham shaft the mud is about 40. The bird’s-eye is about 40 feet Avido. Consequently the mud would be 40 feet from the v-ein. Q. What did you mean by ‘mud’ at that point? A. I mean a. soft, friable sandstone. Q. Is it not porphyry? A. No, sir.”
The witness in other parts of this evidence shows that Ms “bird’s-eye porphyry,” as he calls it, extends down as a hanging wall to this north vein to its lowest workings. This north vein, then, has all 'the characteristics of a vein or lode. It has a foot wall clearly defined, and a hanging wall clearly defined. In both the south vein and in the north vein spar impregnated with ore is found between these walls, as a. rule. There is another fact worthy of remark. The vein still further south, called the “AA and BB vein,” has been described. In the evidence of Mr. Hammond and other witnesses we find that this vein has also a liparite foot wall, and the material called “bird’s-eye” for or on the hanging wall. This material is from 5 to 20 feet thick. This AA and BB vein is on a horizontal plane about 600 feet south of what is called the “north vein” in the
“It never was intended in that case to hold that every metalliferous country to which boundaries could be found must be regarded as one vein or lode, for this would reduce all mining districts to one lode.”
Judge Sawyer,.who was one of the judges who sat with Justice Field in the Eureka Case, also presided at the trial of this last case. •
We hold, therefore, that what has been termed the “south vein” is no part of the Silver King lode, but a separate and distinct lode, meeting the usual definition of- a “lode” or “vein”; that is, an aggregation of mineral matter containing ores in fissures of rocks. So far as this vein lies within the boundaries of Oriental No. 2 and the Bed Cloud mining claims, it belonged to the appellees (the plaintiffs' in the court below), and the appellant had no right to enter upon the same.
The appellant presents another question for consideration. It is claimed that, admitting that the south vein is no part of the Silver