Uttendorffer v. Saegers

California Supreme Court
Uttendorffer v. Saegers, 50 Cal. 496 (Cal. 1875)

Uttendorffer v. Saegers

Opinion of the Court

By the Court:

The action is trespass quare clausum. Its gravamen is the *498alleged possession of the plaintiff at the time of the entry of the defendant. In this view the offer of the defendant to show that a tenant of the plaintiff, and not the plaintiff himself, was in the actual possession at the time of the alleged trespass, should have been allowed. The record is somewhat confused upon the point; it appearing in the first instance that the offer was denied by the court upon objection made by the plaintiff, but at a subsequent stage of the case the evidence was, at least to a considerable extent, put by the defendant before the jury. But however this may be, the court afterwards refused an instruction asked by the defendant, to the effect that the plaintiff could not recover, if the land was at the time of the trespass complained of in the actual possession of others, who excluded the plaintiff therefrom. However, even if it could be considered as an action brought by a reversioner for injury done to the freehold, the duration of the term of the tenant in possession would be important evidence as affecting the measure of the damages to be recovered.

Judgment and order denying a new trial reversed, and cause remanded.

Reference

Full Case Name
WILLIAM UTTENDORFFER v. HENRY SAEGERS
Cited By
6 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
Trespass Quabe Clausum Fbegit.—In trespass, guare clausum fregit, it is incumbent on the plaintiff to show that he was in the actual possession of the premises at the time of the alleged trespass, and the defendant may prove, under a general denial, that a tenant of the plaintiff was in the actual possession. Action by Bevebsioneb for Injury to Freehold.—In an action by a reversioner for an injury done to the freehold, the duration of the term of the • tenant in possession is evidence admissible on behalf of the defendant, as affecting the measure of damages. Trespass on Land.—An action for forcibly entering upon land owned and possessed by the plaintiff, and tearing down a dwelling-house and outbuildings, and carrying away the materials of which they were built, and for digging up and carrying away fruit trees, is guare clausum fregit.