State ex rel. Shores v. Ross
State ex rel. Shores v. Ross
Opinion of the Court
This original proceeding, being an application for a writ of mandamus to compel the respondent to deliver to the relator, E. A. Shores, a deed for certain first-class tide lands, has heretofore been presented to this court, and in a written opinion in 44 Wash. 246, 87 Pac. 262, where a com
The relator now contends that it was not necessary for him to mention in his application the improvements shown by the evidence, as they were not such as are contemplated by the ■statute. It is unnecessary for us to pass upon this contention. It was needful and proper that the board of land commissioners should be advised of the true condition of the lots by the written application, not only as to possession, but also as to existing improvements, whether such improvements came' within the statutory requirement or not, and it was the relator’s duty to fully state all the facts in that regard. He
The finding that collusion existed between the relator and other bidders at the sale of June 30, 1906, is clearly sustained. The collusion shown was of such a character that, under our former opinion, we are now compelled to deny the writ, without regard to the misrepresentations as to possession or improvements. The evidence shows, that the relator was represented at the sale by his son, E. Arthur Shores, and his son-in-law, one Eldridge; that one Lay and one Haller, real estate speculators, were present; that Lay had called upon E. Arthur Shores the day previous, and advised him of his intention to bid; that at the sale a consultation took place between Shores, Eldridge, Haller, and Lay; that Haller withdrew, after stating that he would be satisfied with whatever Mr. Lay might do; that Eldridge, being the only bidder therefor, purchased lot 1; that Lay purchased lot 2 after slight competitive bidding; that he also purchased lot 3, being the only bidder therefor; that the total purchase price for all three lots was $87.52; that as shown by the evidence of disinterested expert witnesses the three lots were, on the day of sale, worth at least $2,000, market value; that a few minutes after the sale, Eldridge and Lay directed the county auditor to make receipts for the entire purchase price to the relator, and that E. Arthur Shores thereupon executed and delivered to Lay an instrument reading as follows:
“Tacoma, Wn., June 30, 1906.
“For services rendered and lots delivered after deeds are obtained, I hereby agree to pay L. 37. Lay five hundred dollars.
E. A. Shores.”
The writ is denied.
Hadley, C. J., Mount, Root, and Dunbar, JJ., concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.