Cook v. Friley
Cook v. Friley
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
• The bill in this case is wanting in precision and clearness, büt
If the complainant is the real owner of the land, and the defendant either has any evidence of title thereto, or asserts any claim or pretends to have any right or title thereto, which may cast doubt or suspicion on the title of the real owner, such real owner may exhibit his bill against such person to have such evidence of title cancelled or the cloud, doubt or suspicion removed from the' title.
The statute, §1833 of the code of 1880, not only authorizes the real owner to file his bill to cancel a paper title, but also to remove the cloud, doubt or suspicion which may spring from the assertion of claim or pretense of right or title thereto by the defendant, who without any muniment of title may assert a claim or pretend to have right or title. The purpose was to give the real owner a remedy against one who asserts any claim or pretends to have any right or title to such owner’s land, in analogy to the right of action by the canon law for jactitation of marriage. The real owner is entitled to protection against jactitation of title to the disparagement of his real ownership. He may bring into court one who asserts any claim or pretends to have any right or title to his land, and require him to vindicate his claim or submit to its extinguishment by decree of the court. The defendant in such case must maintain his claim or right, or it will be disposed of by decree
Reversed and demurrer overruled.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- E. G. Cook v. David Friley
- Cited By
- 9 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Bill to Remove Clouds. Defendant’s claim. Its nature. Under Code 1880, $ 1833, the real owner of land can file a bill to cancel a paper title, or a bill for protection against a pretense of title to the disparagement of his ownership. 2. Same. Pleading. Complainant’s tille. An averment that the complainant is the real owner is sufficient under this statute, and his chain of title need not be set forth in the bill. 3. Same. Specific title of defendant. Sow set forth. If the object is to cancel a particular evidence of title possessed by the defendant, it should be as fully described as known to the pleader. 4. Same. General claim by defendant. Sow averred. In case of a complaint against a mere assertion of claim, failure to describe the defendant’s title is no ground of demurrer, but he must plead his right in answer. 5. Same. Practice. Costs. Decree. If the defendant disclaims title, it is a mere question of costs, but if he asserts a claim, its validity will be passed on, and, unless maintained, will be disposed of by decree against him.