Oelker v. Van Gundy
Oelker v. Van Gundy
Opinion of the Court
Opinion of the Oourt by
Christopher Van Gundy, claiming to own a tract of about 93 acres of land which had descended from Christian Van Gundy,
O. Yan Gundy assigned the notes and mortgage to Jacob Yan Gundy, and they, uniting as plaintiffs, brought this suit for a forecloseure of the mortgage as to the debt of $1,625, alleging a compliance with the stipulation to perfect and complete the title.
Oelker defended the action suggesting several defects in the title; and the plaintiffs having exhibited such title as they had, obtained a rule on the defendant to elect either to retain and pay pro tanto for the title which 'was vested in him, or to take a rescission of the contract, and he having elected the first alternative, and the court being of opinion that said O. Van Gundy was at the time of the contract vested with the title to seven undivided tenths of the land which passed by his deed to the defendant, but that his title was imperfect and incomplete as to the residue one; tenth of which, formerly the share of Jacob Yan Gundy, being claimed by Damnard as purchaser at a decretal sale, and another tenth part having descended to the heirs of Mrs. Weaver, and another having’ been incorrectly conveyed by Phister and wife, it was finally adjudged, without further action to complete the title, in substance, that the defendant have an abatement of $800 for the two-tenths of the land running subject to the claim of Damnard and Mrs. Weaver’s heirs and that one-fifth part of the land, for those two shares, be laid off and restored to Yan Gundy; and as to $400 more of the unpaid price of the land, as for the tenth part incorrectly conveyed by Phister and wife the action be dismissed without prejudice.
Oelker has appealed from the judgment, and the Yan Gundys have prosecuted a cross appeal. *
As we construe the contract and election of the appellant, it was the duty of the plaintiffs to take such action as to settle and determine the right of Oelker to the seven-tenths of the land to be retained by him, excluding alike therefrom the interests of the plaintiffs, and Damnard, Weaver’s heirs, and Phister and wife,
It results, therefore, that the judgment is deemed erroneous to the prejudice of both parties. Wherefore, the judgment is reversed on both the appeal and cross appeal and the cause remanded for further proceedings not inconsitsent with this opinion.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.