Johnston v. Johnston
Johnston v. Johnston
Opinion of the Court
It is not our purpose to go into a complete analysis of this case, nor do we think it necessary in advance of the trial and upon the hearing of the demurrer to construe all the terms of the wills, which are made a part of the complaint, or to determine their precise legal effect, or their ultimate relation to the succession. In fact, such an attempt might be misleading, as other muniments of title, not appearing in the complaint, are not before -us for discussion. It is sufficient to say that in our opinion the plaintiffs have stated a cause of action, and the present action in which it is asserted is not prematurely brought. There was error, therefore, in dismissing the action.
We see nothing in the pleadings upon which the court below, after acting upon the demurrer and dismissing the action, might predicate his order giving certain rights to Miss Mary L. Johnston to live at the home place, free of cost, and to John T. Johnston to live there without expense to S. C. Johnston, or in any way to restrain S. C. Johnston with regard to his use of the land or require him to enter into the bond for $1,000.00 not to commit or permit waste. The order of the court in this respect cannot be sustained upon the facts as now presented and this must be stricken out. This is not to prejudice the rights of Miss Mary L. Johnston, such as she may have, under the will.
On defendants’ appeal
Affirmed.
On plaintiffs’ appeal
Modified and affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- S. C. JOHNSTON, LOUISE THOMAS JOHNSTON (Widow), MARGARET JOHNSTON GARDINER and Husband, ROBERT M. GARDINER, JOSEPHINE A. JOHNSTON (Minor), and CHARLES W. JOHNSTON, JR. (Minor), by Their Next Friend, LOUISE THOMAS JOHNSTON v. JAMES M. JOHNSTON and ELIZABETH MORTON PATTERSON, Executors and Trustees Under the Will of AGNES HUGHES JOHNSTON JAMES M. JOHNSTON and Wife, LOU COLE JOHNSTON ELIZABETH MORTON PATTERSON and Husband, DAVID E. PATTERSON ANNIE J. BARBOUR and Husband, WILLIAM R. BARBOUR JOHN T. JOHNSTON (Single) MARY L. JOHNSTON (Single) NELL BOMAR JOHNSTON (Widow) AGNES JOHNSTON HENDERSON and Husband, ROBERT HENDERSON HELEN JOHNSTON SHEWMAKER and Husband, STEPHEN SHEWMAKER CHARLOTTE JOHNSTON BRUNER and Husband, DAVID KINCAID BRUNER JAMES M. JOHNSTON, Trustee and Guardian Under the Will of the Late GEORGE A. JOHNSTON
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published