Elofrson v. Lindsay
Elofrson v. Lindsay
Opinion of the Court
The following opinion was filed June 11, 1897:
This case was here, and the judgment reversed for error, upon a former appeal. 90'Wis. 203. Upon the trial which resulted in the judgment so reversed, the plaintiff sought to establish his title by a chain of conveyances from the government; but it was found that such conveyances did not cover the strip of land in controversy and described in the complaint. The defendant upon that trial, as here, sought to maintain his possession under and by virtue of the tax deed mentioned in his answer. In the opinion of the court upon the former appeal, written by Mr. Justice ETewman, it is said, in effect, that the plaintiff “did show actual possession of the strip. This is sufficient evidence of title to sustain his action, until the defendant has shown a better title. ... If the defendant’s tax deed was valid, it shows a better title. But its validity depends upon the question whether the premises were occupied as provided by law during the time preceding the taking of the deed. This is in dispute and doubt upon the evidence. It is also in dispute and doubt whether the defendant intruded into the-premises, or whether he entered with the consent of the plaintiff. These questions should have been submitted to the jury. It was error not to submit them.” 90 Wis. 206. The several questions thus suggested were all submitted to the jury upon the last trial, and their finding upon each question is in favor of the plaintiff. 1
Errors are assigned because the court refused to submit to the jury questions as to the width of the lot conveyed to the plaintiff by Mrs. Russell, and also as to the width of ground which the plaintiff would have left out of lots 4 and 5, in the block mentioned, if the defendant should take twelve feet wide off the southeast side of lot 5, under his tax deed. Such questions were irrelevant to the issue on trial, and there was no error in refusing to submit! them. The same may be said as to testimony rejected, an^l instructions refused, relating to the same matters.
We perceive no error in charging the jury that “it has been determined in this case that if the jury believe from the testimony that the plaintiff was in possession of this three-foot strip, of land, and that he claimed it as his own, that that is a sufficient title, so that he can bring this action to determine whether or not he is entitled to this strip of land as against Mr. Lvtidsay, upon the claims that Mr. Lm,d-say makes.” That is substantially what was determined on the former appeal, as appears from a portion of the opinion •quotéd, and such determination is a verity in the case. So
Other errors are assigned, but they are not such as to call for particular consideration.
By the Gourt.— The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
A motion for a rehearing was denied September 28,1897.
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