United States v. Gardo House
United States v. Gardo House
Opinion of the Court
This proceeding is, in its general features, like the case of U. S. v. Tithing Yard, ante, 34 Pac. Rep. 55 (just decided), and is governed by the decision in that case^ except for the difference in the state of facts. The property called the “ Gardo House,” being the E. -J- of lot 6, in block 75, plat A, of Salt Lake City survey, as shown by the findings of facts, was not acquired by the church until 1877, and the church had no interest in it on July 1, 1862. Hence, under -the conclusion reached in the Tithing Yard case, the property just described as the “ Gardo House” is subject to forfeiture, and the decree escheating it to the plaintiff should be affirmed. As to the property described in the complaint and findings as a part of the W. i of lot 6, block 75, plat A, in Salt Lake City, commencing at a point 10 rods west of the northeast corner of said lot 6, thence south 10 rods, thence west 7 rods, thence north 10 rods, thence east 7 rods to the place of beginning, and called the “ Historian Office and Grounds,” it appears that the property was acquired by the church in 1855, and was then substantially improved, and that the church was on July 1, 1862, and ever since has been, in the actual possession of this property. We hold that the church had a vested interest in this property at the time of the passage of the act of 1862, and that it was reserved to the church and not rendered subject to escheat, by the provisions of that act, as indicated in our opinion in the Tithing Yard case.
We deem it proper to add in this opinion the following, which was omitted from the opinion in the principal case: It was suggested, rather than urged, on the argument, that the right of the government to a forfeiture in all of these cases was already adjudicated in favor of the government
This view is fully supported by the opinion of the supreme court of the United States in the case referred to. In the opinion-(136 U. S. 64, 10 Sup. Ct. Bep. 810) the court says: “ This suit is in some respects an auxiliary one, instituted for the purpose of taking possession of, and holding for final disposition, the property of the defunct corporation, in the hands of a receiver, and winding up its affairs. To that extent, and to that extent only, the decree of the circuit court has gone. In the proceedings which have been instituted in the district court,of the Territory, it will be determined whether the real estate of the corporation which has been seized (excepting portions
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES v. GARDO HOUSE AND HISTORIAN OFFICE and JAMES P. FREEZE and Another, Intervenors
- Status
- Published