271 Mo. 150 | Mo. | 1917
I. On February 28, 1887, Thomas F. Ackerman and Susan Ackerman, his wife, legally adopted a child whom they named Mary. She afterwards married one Ira C. Cline, and of this marriage seven children wére born, two of whom died in infancy; the other five who survived their mother .are designated herein as the Cline heirs.
After the death of his adopted daughter Mary, Thomas Ackerman executed his last will and testament by which he bequeathed to each of the Cline heirs one dollar ; to his wife Susan all of his personal property, absolutely, with a life estate in all real estate of which he might die possessed, with remainder over to the children of his sister, Elizabeth Perkins. His wife was named as executrix and Charles Williams named in her stead in case of her death or inability to act. She having died before her husband, his will as originally drawn was duly
During the course of the administration of the estate, John G. Weber, administrator of the estate of Elizabeth Perkins, deceased, represented the interests of the heirs of said Elizabeth Perkins, Benjamin C. Lindsay claimed by right of purchase the interests of the heirs of James Ackerman, deceased, brother of the testator, and the Cline heirs presented their claims as heirs and legatees. One Alice Otter also presented a claim for services, which was allowed and paid, and a further claim by right of gift of a certain note for $1600, together with two interest notes for $45 each, secured by a deed qf trust.
When the executor presented his accounts for final settlement, the court found the amount in which the executor was indebted to the estate, but having been of counsel, refused to order distribution on account of ■ the above adverse claims to said fund. Thereupon the executor filed this bill in equity in the circuit court and prayed that the several claimants be compelled to interplead. Thé decree so ordered and commanded executor Williams to pay the fund of $11,239.47 into court.
Thereafter interpleas were duly filed and the court, having taken the case under advisement, rendered judgment against the Cline heirs and Alice Otter, and ordered the clerk of the court to pay one-half of the fund to inter-pleader John G. Weber, as administrator in charge of the estate of Elizabeth Perkins, deceased, and one-half to interpleader Benjamin C. Lindsay. The Cline heirs and Alice Otter appealed separately.
II. There,being no dispute as to the facts in this case, the main issue presented resolves itself into a question of law: whether the children of an adopted child, who died before her adopting parents, can take under the statute of descent the same estate which their mother would have taken had she outlived her adopting parents?
This question is determinable by a consideration of the first clause of the statute of descents, viz., “First to his children, or their descendants”