Bishop v. Paul
Bishop v. Paul
Opinion of the Court
This is an action in trespass to try title to certain lots in El Paso, Tex., filed by Clark Bishop and others, against George Paul.
Clark Bishop died after suit was filed, and the administrator of his estate was made 'party in his stead. 'Upon application of Daniel Gestean, he was made party defendant because he and wife had conv.eyed the property to defendant Paul with warranty.
Defendants pleaded general denial, not guilty, and the statute of ten years’ limitation. ,
Submitted to a jury upon special issues and upon the answers thereto, judgment was rendered for defendant Paul, and that nothing be herein recovered by or against the said Gestean, etc., from which this appeal is perfected.
The first assignment is that—
“The findings of the jury upon each and every special issue submitted are against the overwhelming weight and preponderance of the evidence, in this: (a) It was shown by many witnesses * * * that Gestean and wife were not "in possession of the premises the required ten years necessary to perfect title by limitations; * * * (b) same; (c) because it was shown by the evidence taken upon the trial of Bishop v. Gestean and Wife, cause No. 8778, and in cause No. 6351, Gestean and Wife v. Morales, that Gestean, Paul, and Davis were successfully impeached by contradictory statements made by them in those cases; (d) the verdict' should be sot aside because the jury failed to consider the evidence, and in any event failed to properly and legally determine the issues by a solemn and careful consideration thereof; (e) because the trial court judicially knows that the jury were guilty of levity and improper conduct by laughing, etc.; (f) because the jury were guilty of misconduct by talking — apparently discussing the issues while in the jury box and during the introduction of the evidence.”
We respectfully refer counsel to rule 29 of this court (142 S. W. x), and specially call his attention to the following portion thereof:
“Each ground of error being separately presented.”
However, by this and the. second assignment it is clearly urged that the findings of the jury are so contrary to and against the overwhelming weight and preponderance of the evidence as to indicate that the jury were controlled by improper motives, and for that reason the cause should be reversed and remanded for a n.ew trial. After a careful reading and analysis of the statement of, facts, it is concluded that such holding by us could not be justified.
The seventh in effect is that—
“Error was committed during the trial of the cause * * * in this: During the argument counsel for defendant stated that plaintiffs had not improved their-property, to which argument plaintiff’s attorney objected because such argument was wholly unwarranted by the’ testimony, and, the judge of the court being absent from the court room,* the jury laughed aloud at the objections of plaintiff. Defendant continued his argument, to which plaintiffs objected for the reasons stated, followed by further laughter and misconduct on the part of the jury, and afterwards, when the judge returned to the courtroom, plaintiff renewed his objection, * * * and the court thereupon directed the jury that said argument was improper. Such instructions did not cure the said error, and plaintiff reserved his exceptions to said argument and transactions, absence of the court and misconduct of the jury.”
Again, this assignment covers two distinct specifications of error — argument of counsel and absence of judge. The record shows that one of the counsel for plaintiff agreed to the temporary absence of the judge, and it appears that upon his return the jury were properly instructed not to consider argument of counsel.
By the fourth and fifth, it is urged that.the special issues submitted permitted the jury to find for defendant, though the lots were not actually inclosed by fence. If the charge is. subject to the criticism, all of the defendant’s evidence is directed to the fact that it was so inclosed and plaintiff’s testimony directed to disproving the fact of inclosure, so it would be difficult to see how the jury could have decided the issue upon the theory of use or occupancy without inclosure.
It was not error to refuse peremptory charge to find for plaintiff. Assignment 22.
20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 urge error in refusing special charges requested by plaintiff. The questions suggested were properly presented in the issues submitted in the main charge.
Daniel Gestean was permitted to intervene in the suit as defendant Paul’s grantor and warrantor. No affirmative relief was ashed by any party to the suit against him. Appellant moved the court to dismiss him from the suit, which- was refused. By the ninth assignment this refusal is assigned as error and the assignment submitted as a proposition; but it is urged that he was made a party in order that he might remain in the courtroom, and this seems to be the only point made.
There is nothing in the record to show this to be a fact, nor does the record show that any request was made that Gestean be placed under the rule with other witnesses.
By the same assignment it is urged that it was error to permit the same witness to testify to conversations with Gestean about building houses upon the premises, because the dates of such conversations were not fixed. The reasons for the, objections apply to the weight of the evidence rather than to its admissibility.
By the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth, it is urged that it was error to admit testimony of possession after the 25th day of May, 1907, because upon that date Daniel Gestean intervened in suit of Bishop v. Winn, and this stopped the running of the statute. The record discloses that prior to this suit against Gestean he had conveyed the property in controversy to his wife, and they in turn, before Gestean became a party to said suit, conveyed the premises in controversy to defendant Paul. So Gestean’s possession after the latter donveyance was the possession of Paul, and limitations would run to the filing of this suit, July 6, 1911. But we note that the jury found that ten-year limitation had run prior to the time Gestean became a party to the suit of Bishop v. Winn.
There are many other assignments and propositions, not mentioned specifically, which have been carefully considered, and we are of the opinion that there is no reversible error presented by the brief; so all are overruled, and the case affirmed.
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Reference
- Full Case Name
- BISHOP Et Al. v. PAUL Et Al.
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- 5 cases
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- Published