Dale v. Faivre

Decision Date31 March 1869
Citation43 Mo. 556
PartiesELIZABETH DALE et al., Defendants in Error, v. JOHN J. FAIVRE, Plaintiff in Error.
CourtMissouri Supreme Court

Error to St. Louis Circuit Court.

The facts appear in the opinion of the court.

Morehead and Higdon, for plaintiff in error.

The plaintiff's evidence did not establish a legal title by possession, or by any reasonable claim of possession, and the defendant's motion for a non-suit ought to have been sustained. (Ad. on Eject., Tillinghast's ed., 285; 38 Mo. 302, 435; 6 Mo. 106; 30 Mo. 99; 19 Mo. 660.)

John N. Straat, for defendants in error.

BLISS, Judge, delivered the opinion of the court.

The plaintiff brought her action for the possession of a lot in St. Louis, and the case was submitted to the court without any declarations of law being asked for defendant, and the finding and judgment was for the plaintiff. The defendant offered no evidence showing any right of possession, but relied upon the fact of possession merely. After the plaintiff had submitted her evidence, the defendant asked for a non-suit, on the ground that she had shown no title to the property.

The evidence showed that the plaintiff claimed title to the lot by deed from one Payne; also that Payne held the title as trustee, with full power to hold and sell, and for many years had possession of the lot as trustee, letting it out and receiving rent. The deed to Payne's grantor, the instrument creating the trust to Payne, and his deed to the plaintiff, were submitted, together with the evidence of Payne's possession.

It is well settled that prior possession, accompanied by a claim of the fee, raises a presumption of title, and is sufficient to support the right to eject him who has only the naked possession. (Jackson ex dem. v. Porter, 1 Paine, 457; Ricard v. Williams, 7 Wheat. 59; Duncan v. Harder, 4 Johns. 202; Smith v. Lorillard, 10 Johns. 338; Harding v. Cook, 5 Moore & Payne, 181.) The grantee of the person so holding prior possession succeeds to his rights; and the plaintiff made a prima facie case, and the defendant must show title or leave.

The judgment is affirmed.

The other judges concur.

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24 cases
  • Stonum v. Davis
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • April 3, 1941
    ...to defendant's possession, he being a mere intruder having only naked possession, could have maintained an action for possession. [Dale v. Faivre, 43 Mo. 556; Hall v. Gallemore, 138 Mo. 638, 642(2), 40 S.W. 891, 892(2); Crockett v. Morrison, 11 Mo. 3, 6; Love v. Love, 250 Mo. 491, 498 (II),......
  • Cooley v. Golden
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • June 19, 1893
    ...court was against the clear weight of the evidence, and erroneous. Norfleet v. Russell, 64 Mo. 176; Bledsoe v. Simms, 53 Mo. 305; Dale v. Faivre, 43 Mo. 556. (4) The court erred in giving instruction number 1 for defendant, for the reason that it ignores the manner of the accretion's growth......
  • Lossing v. Shull
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • July 6, 1943
    ... ... case here. Hall v. Gallemore, 138 Mo. 638; White ... v. Keller, 114 Mo. 479; Dale v. Faivre, 43 Mo ... 556; Bledsoe v. Simms, 53 Mo. 305; Prior v ... Scott, 87 Mo. 303. (10) Title by adverse possession ... extends only to ... ...
  • Stonum v. Davis
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • April 3, 1941
    ...to defendant's possession, he being a mere intruder having only naked possession, could have maintained an action for possession. [Dale v. Faivre, 43 Mo. 556; Hall Gallemore, 138 Mo. 638, 642(2), 40 S.W. 891, 892(2); Crockett v. Morrison, 11 Mo. 3, 6; Love v. Love, 250 Mo. 491, 498(II), 157......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

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