Johnston v. Johnston
Johnston v. Johnston
Opinion of the Court
The appellee brought this suit against the appellant for the purpose of recovering title and possession of an undivided half interest in 70 acres of land fully described in his pleading, tie relied for title upon proof of a parol agreement between himself and the appellant, under the terms of which the latter was to take up and foreclose a mortgage on the land and buy it at the execution sale for their joint benefit. The facts show that in 1914 or prior thereto W. S. Johnston, the original owner of the land in controversy, died, leaving as his only heirs his mother and several brothers and sisters, among whom wore the parties to this suit. At the time of his death the land was incumbered with a mortgage for $250. Some time later tire mother died, leaving the entire property to her children. According to the testimony of the appellee, which was not disputed, he and the appellant determined to acquire the exclusive ownership to be shared by them equally. They entered into an agreement to purchase the mortgage debt and to pay each one of the heirs $40 for his or her interest. The appellant was to furnish the money for this purpose, half of which was to be repaid by the appellee at some future time not definitely agreed upon. The appellant thereafter purchased the outstanding debt and lien, and took an assignment thereof in his own name, but for the benefit of the appellee also. Eor some reason which does not clearly appear they abandoned the agreement to pay each of the other heirs $40; but a foreclosure suit was filed by the appellant, in which the remaining brothers and sisters, including the appellee, were made parties defendant. That suit resulted in a judgment in favor of the appellant for the amount of the debt and a decree foreclosing the mortgage on the property. On the day of sale both the appellant and the appellee were present, and by agreement one of the attorneys in the foreclosure suit did their bidding and purchased the property. The appellant furnished the money to pay off the judgment and costs, and the deed was . made to him alone. In the trial below the court found as a fact that prior to that transaction it had been agreed between the appellant and the appellee that the deed should be made to them jointly, and there is sufficient evidence to support that finding. The evidence further shows that the appellant and the appellee subsequently went into possession of the land, made improvements thereon, and shared equally in the rents and benefits resulting from the occupancy. Prior to the present suit appel-lee offered to pay to the appellant one-half of the purchase price together with the interest which had accrued, and demanded a deed; but this was refused by the appellant, who then set up a claim of exclusive ownership. The institution of this suit followed, accompanied by a tender of the amount due.
*471 We ⅞⅛⅛ it unnecessary to discuss the assignments of error in detail. Upon the merits of the case justice has been done, and the judgment should be affirmed.
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Reference
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- Johnston v. Johnston.
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