Gaw v. City of Holly Springs
Gaw v. City of Holly Springs
Opinion of the Court
This suit involves the question of whether or not a fence erected by the appellants is across a certain public
The southern one-third of the Frazier Subdivision of lot or block 15, consisting of eleven lots, is bounded on the east by a well established and improved thoroughfare known as Compress Street, on the north by one known as College Street, on the west by one known as Chesterman Street, and on the south by one known as Van Dorm Avenue, and is a rectangular area with Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, numbered from south to north from Van Dorm Avenue, running east and west, and comprising the eastern portion of the said rectangular area known as Lot or Block 15 of the Frazier Subdivision of the City of Holly Springs.
The other lots in the said rectangular area are Lots 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, numbered from east to west, but running north and south, between Van Dorm Avenue and College Street, the said Lot 25 being bounded on the west by Chesterman Street.
On September 2, 1946, the appellants Matthew Gaw and wife purchased Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the said Frazier Subdivision from C. P. Ayers, Jr., and wife, who had purchased the same on December 15, 1945, from one M. C. Simpson together with Lots 20 and 21. Said grantors C. P. Ayers, Jr., and wife, reside on the south end of Lots 20 and 21, which they retained when selling to the appellants Matthew Gaw and wife said Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the east thereof. The alleged alley or street in
During the trial of this cause, there were three maps of the City of Holly Springs introduced by the appellee, as complainant in the trial court. The oldest of these maps is referred to as the Walthall Map, drawn by James B. Walthall on June 19, 1888. The supposed scale of this map is by poles of 16.5 feet each. This map has been in the chancery clerk’s office for many years, and is the first map of the City of Holly Springs containing the Frazier Subdivision of Lot or Block 15. According to a comparison of measurements of the dimensions of some lots elsewhere in the City, it was admitted even by the mayor, city clerk and a surveyor, all as witnesses for the City, that the length of Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 running east .and west would he approximately 200 feet on the Walthall Map, although the bill of complaint alleged that these lots were only 140 feet in length running east and west.
The next map introduced by the City of Holly Springs was one known as the Anderson Map, which was a large cloth or paper map of the City of Holly Springs which had hung on the wall in the City Clerk’s office for many years, and was a very old, though undated, map. The drawer of this map was W. W. Anderson, an engineer or architect. On this map the dimensions of the lots in the Frazier Subdivision were not given, so far as being written on each lot is concerned, but the map carried the following legend in large letters under the word ‘ ‘ Explana
There was nothing on this map to indicate that the “Explanation” of the map being drawn to a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet had been placed on this map by anyone other than the person who originally drew the map. It clearly appears on its face to be a part of the Anderson map and that the map and the explanation were produced as one act when the map was drawn. This notation' of “Scale 1 Inch to 100 Feet” was the only means by which any proposed purchaser of any lots could form an opinion as to their approximate dimensions so far as an examination of the map is concerned. Moreover, the City of Holly Springs introduced the map as a part of its case, and under the rules of evidence the City is bound by what is contained on the map when the same is introduced for the purpose of showing a dedication of the alleged alley or street and where the same was intended to be located when Lot or Block 15 of the Frazier Subdivision was subdivided. The testimony given by these City witnesses on cross-examination was objected to by the City on the ground that it had not been proved that the map had been drawn to scale, but we are of the opinion that such fact
The third map introduced by the City, known as the Shaw map, drawn on February 26, 1939, but which was not filed until October 7, 1947, subsequent to the time that the appellants purchased the -four lots in question, shows for the first time that these lots- were only 140 feet in length running east and west, beginning at the west boundary of the well-established and improved Compress Street on the east of said lots. .There is no explanation in. the record as to why the Shaw map was drawn so as to show .these lots to be only 140 feet in length, east and west, as compared with approximately 200 feet on the older Walthall and Anderson' maps, other than the fact that this unimproved alleyway from College Street south as far as the Gaw and Ayers residences was located 140 feet west of Compress Street, as it actually appeared on the ground. The Walthall and Anderson maps disclose that there was to be an alley or street running north and south from College Street to Van Dorm Avenue, somewhere between Compress Street and Chesterman Street, and if the City is to rely upon a dedication it had the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that when Lot 15 or Block 15 of the Frazier Subdivision was subdivided the alleged alley or street in question was located by the plat thereon 140 feet west of Compress Street instead of approximately 200 feet.
The.proof clearly shows that there was a fence and gate across this “travelway” up until about 13 to 15 years ago, but that thereafter it remained open and was used for the purposes aforesaid down to these two residences until the appellants placed a fence across the same as ah extension westward of the north line of their lot 4 according to the Shaw map filed after'they purchased the four lots. The precise question is1 whether the “travel-way” from College Street down to these houses has been a private way for ingress and egress from College Street to these houses or has been used as a public thoroughfare during the past 13 to 15 years, its use prior to that time having been by access through a gap or gate at the north end thereof.
The city clerk, chancery clerk, and other officials who would be supposed to known whether or not there was ever a formal dedication of the Frazier Subdivision by any separate plat thereof filed with the chancery clerk, testified that they have never seen such a map or plat in any platbook in the chancery clerk’s office or any map or plat in the city clerk’s office. Nevertheless, the City could have acquired such an alley or street as now claimed to actually exist on the ground if the proof is sufficient to show such acquisition by adverse user for the time required by law. Lots in the said subdivision in most instances have been conveyed by numbers without any dimensions given, but by reference to the older maps of the entire .City of Holly Springs on file at the time the appellants acquired their lots, such lots are approximately 200 feet in length running west from Compress Street, instead of 140 feet as shown by the Shaw map, which seems to have disregarded the scale of measurements on the two former maps and fixed the lots of the defendants at 140 feet in length, because of the location of this old “travelway” 140 feet west of Compress Street.
In the instant case it was not contended that the City failed to work and maintain for the use of the traveling public that part of this alley or street running north from College Street. In the Skrmetta case, supra, the Court said: “There is no evidence of: any formal acceptance by the public authorities of the dedication of Oak Street, but if an acceptance was necessary in such a case as this, / the evidence is ample that that part of Oak Street north
• There it appeared that nothing had been done to- Oak Street from East Beach Street, running east and west, on down to the Gulf, and that the City of Biloxi had only used and maintained that part of Oak Street north of East Beach Street.
The failure to introduce the original or an authenticated copy of a separate map or plat of the dedication of the Frazier Subdivision, is fully accounted for, since the same is unavailable. Nevertheless that subdivision is incorporated into the Walthall and Anderson maps of the entire City of Holly Springs, and it clearly appears that an alley or street was intended to be dedicated, as shown on those maps, between the lots of the appellants to the east and Lot 20 to the west, and that the travelway in question, if constituting an alley or street, is an extension southward of the alley or street being used and maintained north of College Street. We therefore hold that the decree of the chancellor in requiring the appellants to remove their fence and restraining them from further obstructing the alley or street in question should be affirmed, and that under all the facts and circumstances hereinbefore mentioned the City of Holly Springs is the owner of an easement for public travel of the said alley or street all the way from College Street to Van Dorm Avenue of the dimension shown on the Shaw map and Cooper Survey between parallel lines along the traveled route from College Street to where the same forks near the Gaw and Ayer residences, and thence on south to Van
Affirmed.
ON MOTION OF APPELLEE TO STRIKE STENOGRAPHER’S TRANSCRIPT OF THE EVIDENCE, AND ON MOTION OF APPELLANTS FOR DIMINUTION OF RECORD
One of the grounds stated by the appellee, City of Holly Springs, as to why the transcript of the evidence filed in this court should be stricken, is that the transcript is incorrect in the following particulars: “ (a) No copy of the map introduced by witness Hurdle is made a part of the transcript; (b) no copy of the plat of the witness R. L. Cooper is made a part of the transcript; (c) no copy of the drawing made by the witness R. L. Cooper is made a part of the transcript; (d) No copy of the map introduced by witness Wade is made a part of the transcript; (e) no copy of the second map introduced by witness Wade is made a part of the transcript; (f) no copy of the third map introduced by witness Wade is made a part of the transcript; (g) * * *; (h) * * * ; (i) # # # J >
The absence from the record of the above mentioned maps is due to the fact that they were introduced by the appellee with permission to withdraw the originals and substitute copies therefor, and the copies were never supplied. It is ordinarily the duty of an appellant to take such steps as are available for having an incomplete record made complete on appeal. However, the appellee is not in position to invoke this rule in the instant case since these maps were introduced by the appellee and were thereupon withdrawn with permission to substitute copies thereof, and it then failed to do so.
After this appeal was taken the appellants filed a motion in the Chancery Court for an order to require the clerk of said court to send up to this Court the three maps of the City of Holly Springs, as introduced in evidence by the said appellee and identified as the Walthall map, the Anderson map, and the Shaw map. The appellee contested this motion on several grounds, among which were (a) that the jurisdiction of the cause was then vested exclusively in the Supreme Court of Mississippi; (b) no grounds are shown in the motion for forwarding the original exhibits rather than copies thereof ; (c) that it is not permitted to forward original exhibits in lieu of copies of maps on file in the county courthouse or city hall; (d) that the maps are so old and fragile that it is not practicable to send them to Jackson; (e) that all information that could be derived from the original exhibits could also be derived from copies; and (f) that
There was a hearing before the Chancellor on this motion, at the conclusion of which the court rendered a written opinion reciting in detail that the appellee had introduced these maps and had been permitted to withdraw the same and substitute copies thereof, and in which written opinion the court stated that “these maps are an important part of the evidence * * * I think that when they (meaning the City of Holly Springs) asked to substitute copies for the original they should have provided the copies. * * I will have to overrule the motion as much as the court dislikes to do so, because this Court does want the Supreme Court to have the complete record before it.” The motion was overruled by the chancellor on the sole ground that he had lost jurisdiction of the case by virtue of the pending appeal in this court.
Thereafter the appellants filed a motion in the Supreme Court for diminution of the record in order to perfect the same. This motion recited the introduction of the three maps by the appellee, under the foregoing circumstances, and then averred that the copies were never prepared or filed by the appellee in order that they could be inserted in the record. The appellants in their said motion have prayed for a writ of certiorari to require the chancery clerk to certify to this Court the original maps as introduced on the trial, or in lieu thereof duly authenticated copies of the same. The appellee has filed a reply to the said motion and is resisting the granting of the relief prayed for therein by the appellants.
We are not justified in directing the chancery clerk to send up the originals of what are alleged to be the official maps of the City of Holly Springs on file in the chancery clerk’s office and at the city hall. If the maps are the recognized official maps of the City of Holly Springs on file in the chancery clerk’s office and at the city hall, then they áre part of the public records which
It would not be proper to issue a writ of certiorari to require an inferior tribunal or public officer to send up exhibits which were withdrawn by the litigant on whose behalf they were introduced, or to require an officer to make and send up copies of exhibits which the litigant has failed to supply pursuant to agreement with the trial court at the time the originals were allowed to be withdrawn. Nevertheless, it is but fair to the trial court and to both litigants that copies of these three maps should be supplied by the appellee to the chancery clerk to be forwarded to this Court for a full consideration of the merits of the case here on appeal, since the chancellor stated that he considered that “these maps are an important part of the evidence”. Then, too, it may be difficult for this Court to properly evaluate the testimony in regard to these maps without the benefit of an 'inspection of the same.
Moreover, the motion of the appellee to strike the transcript of the record of the trial would indicate that the appellee is taking the position that we should not consider the testimony relating to the existence and location of the alley in question, because of the absence of the maps, or copies thereof, from the record, even though their absence from the record is due to the failure of the appellee to supply the copies thereof.
Both motions are overruled, and the appellee is required under Section 1958, Code of 1942, to deliver to the Chancery Clerk of Marshall County the copies of all original maps that were introduced and' withdrawn
Both motions overruled, but appellee ordered to file copies of withdrawn exhibits within ten days.
ON MOTION TO REMAND TO DOCKET FOR ARGUMENT.
The above styled cause was submitted without argument on March 19, 1956. The appellants assignment of error and original brief were filed on February 21, 1956, and the brief of the appellee was filed on March 10, 1956, and the appellants’ reply brief was filed on March 16, 1956. In the motion of the appellee for the remand of the case to the docket for argument, the point is made that no process was ever served on the appellee but that when the appellee received the original brief of the appellant, the attorneys for the appellee filed a brief on its behalf, arguing the cause in the state of the record then presented.
On May 7, 1956, we overruled the motion of the appellants for diminution of the record which sought to obtain the sending up of certain exhibits that had been introduced by the appellee with the privilege of withdrawing them and substituting copies therefor. We were not advised by the record that the original maps of the City of Holly Springs had not in fact been withdrawn from the possession of the' clerk, and we naturally assumed that being the only maps of the city on file in the Chancery Clerk’s Office and the Office of the City Clerk that they would be withdrawn pursuant to the understanding by which they were to be withdrawn upon substitution of copies thereof. Hence we did not then feel justified in ordering the clerk to send up these maps, there being
After the appeal was taken, the appellants obtained a hearing before the chancellor on their motion to have the maps or copies thereof sent to this Court, and as pointed out in our opinion rendered on May 7, 1956, the chancellor held at the hearing of the motion before him that he had lost jurisdiction in the case and that he overruled the motion for that reason but expressed the opinion that the maps which had been introduced in evidence were an important part of the evidence, and stated in substance that he should like for this Court to have the benefit of the' maps on this appeal. Nevertheless the appellee took no steps to have the maps or copies thereof made available to this Court.
In the opinion rendered by this Court on May 7, 1956, we also overruled a motion of the appellee to strike the transcript of the stenographic notes, the ground of the motion being that neither these exhibits nor copies thereof were contained in the record, but we thereupon allowed the appellee ten days within which to supply copies of the maps which had been introduced by the appellee with the privilege of withdrawing the same and substituting copies. The copies of the exhibits were accordingly sent to this Court by the Clerk of the Chancery Court.
On the motion of the appellant filed on May 10, 1956, to remand the case to the docket for argument, it is stated that as a result of the proceedings above referred to, the Court now has before it copies of the exhibits in question but “which were not before the Court when the appellee had an opportunity to file its brief. ’ ’ The motion further states that since the record has now been radically changed that the appellee should be given an opportunity to file a brief on the record as now presented, and to have the case remanded to the docket for argument.
Moreover, we now have the record before us that was made upon the trial before the chancellor, the only difference being that the chancellor had the original maps before him and we have before us what the appellee caused to be sent here by the clerk as being copies of the original exhibits.- •
It would not have been proper for the chancery clerk to have sent the original maps to this Court after they had been introduced with the privilege of withdrawing the same and substituting copies, unless the trial court had ordered the originals sent to this Court while he had jurisdiction of the cause. Nor do we think that a clerk of a trial court should be required to undertake to reproduce a map of a municipality, even if he possessed •the skill to do so, but that when original documents are introduced with the privilege of withdrawing the same and substituting copies, such copies should be supplied by the litigant introducing the "original exhibits.
The motion to-remand the cause to the docket for argument would result in continuance' of this cause until the September term of Court, since today is the last sitting
Motion to remand cause to the docket for argument overruléd.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Gaw, et ux. v. City of Holly Springs
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- Published