Scott v. Howell
Scott v. Howell
Opinion of the Court
Appeal from a judgment for plaintiff in an action to remove a cloud from title, annulling a tax deed, and removing the cloud created thereby from the title, to two half-sections of vacant and unoccupied land.
Appellant contends that the complaint did not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, because it did not allege that the tax deed was recorded, because the allegations attacking the tax.deed were mere conclusions of law, and because the complaint did not contain an offer to refund the taxes paid by defendant.
It is true, it was not, although it might have been truthfully, alleged that the deed was recorded. However, plaintiff’s testimony disclosed that the deed was recorded, and such proof was made without any objection being-interposed that pointed out this specific defect in the complaint, although objection was interposed that the complaint did not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. Furthermore, defendant’s counsel, in his objection, stated that “it is alleged in the complaint and admitted in the answer that the deed was made on the 6th day of March, 1899, and recorded on the same day in Book 1299, page 213, of the said records.” This statement of counsel discloses that the case was tried as though it had been alleged in the complaint that the deed was recorded, and it discloses, also, that counsel could not have had in his mind at the time he made the objection the lack of this particular allegation. His objections
It is true, also, that the complainant, in attacking the tax deed, after stating a number of things that were not done, and which the statute requires, leading up to the issuance of the deed, followed such allegations with the statement, “as required by law,” but the allegations of facts were sufficient without the words quoted, which the appellant contends is a conclusion of law. The complaint should have stated and pointed out the exact defects in the proceedings, but the defendant did not interpose any motion to require such statements to be made more specific.
It is true, also, that the complaint did not contain an offer to refund the taxes paid by the defendant; however, the defendant admitted and alleged that he claimed to be the owner of the premises, by virtue of the tax deed, at
All other assignments of error have been disposed of contrary to appellant’s contention by recent decisions of this and tbe supreme court.
Tbe judgment of tbe lower court is therefore affirmed.
Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.