Bunda v. Jacobus
Bunda v. Jacobus
Opinion of the Court
The facts in this case can best be understood in connection with the accompanying diagram :
The defendant, Philomena Jacobus, acquired title from her husband. She also acquired title to a strip of land lying between the line (A) (B) and the right of way of the Chicago & North Western Railway Company, which title came to her
The court found that the plaintiff, after he purchased his farm in 1918, requested the Jacobus family to give him the first chance to buy the strip. From the testimony of Philomena Jacobus this appears to have been after the death of her husband in 1926. The evidence establishes without dispute that the possession of the plaintiff was open, notorious, adverse, and hostile. The Jacobuses never asserted any right to these premises until at or about the time of the trespass complained of/which was in the late winter of 1934-35. The only circumstance indicating that the plaintiff did not hold adversely, and to this the trial court seems to have attached great importance, was the fact that the plaintiff sought to buy his peace by purchasing whatever rights Mrs.-Jacobus had in the premises.
Upon the undisputed facts as found by the trial court, the plaintiff and his predecessor in title had inclosed the lands by a substantial fence and used the same for more than twenty-five years. There is no contention that the use was permissive or on any other basis than that the plaintiff and his prede
There is some dispute as to the location of the west boundary line of the northwest quarter of section 32. Its location, however, becomes immaterial in this case because of the fact that the entire tract was claimed by Cahak and by the plaintiff and fenced. It is considered that the plaintiff established his title to the premises in question, and should have had judgment for the damages done by the trespass committed.
By the Court. — Judgment appealed from is reversed, and cause remanded to the trial court with directions to assess the plaintiff’s damages and to enter judgment for the plaintiff accordingly. If in the opinion of the trial court justice requires it, further evidence may be taken as to the amount of the damages.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Bunda v. Jacobus and another
- Status
- Published