Tackett v. Skunk, 5691.

• Decision Date: 11 October 1926
• Docket Number: No. 5691.,5691.
• Parties: TACKETT v. SKUNK et al.
• Court: South Dakota Supreme Court

50 S.D. 378

210 N.W. 198

TACKETT

v.SKUNK et al.

No. 5691.

Supreme Court of South Dakota.

Oct. 11, 1926.

Appeal from Circuit Court, Corson County; W. F. Eddy, Judge.

Action by W. H. Tackett against Isaac Skunk and another. Judgment for plaintiff, and he appeals. Affirmed.A. A. Brown, of Mobridge, for appellant.

Morrison & Skaug, of Mobridge, for respondents.

MORIARTY, C.

The appellant brought this action to determine claims to a section of land in Corson county. In his complaint he alleges that on November 3, 1922, he bought the land in controversy from one Isaac Skunk, an Indian, taking a written contract and paying $100 at the time the contract was entered into and an additional $100 between that date and November 10, 1922. He further alleges that on November 10, 1922, Isaac Skunk executed a warranty deed conveying the land to the respondent E. W. Rugg, and he asks that Rugg's title be declared subject to his rights under the contract, and he tenders to be delivered into court the amount which remains unpaid on his contract, the same to be paid to whomsoever the court shall determine to be entitled thereto.

Respondent in his answer contends that appellant's contract made with the defendant Isaac Skunk is void, and that respondent had no notice of said contract when he accepted the deed from said Isaac Skunk, and that the title conveyed to him by said deed is not subject to appellant's said contract. Appellant's contract was put in evidence, and shows the agreed purchase price of the land to be $3,000. The trial court found this contract to be valid, that respondent Rugg had actual notice of the contract at the time he accepted the deed from Isaac Skunk, and that this deed was in effect only an assignment of the grantor's rights under the contract. The court found that the sum remaining due from appellant on his purchase contract is $2,800, and decreed that upon deposit of that amount with the clerk of the trial court the respondent shall deposit with said clerk, for delivery to the appellant, a deed of the land.

Appellant's assignments of error raise only two contentions, viz., that the court erred in sustaining objections to inquiries as to the consideration paid by Rugg for the deed from Skunk, and that the court erred in finding that $2,800 remained unpaid on the appellant's contract.

[1] Skunk was served with the summons and complaint in the action, but he made no appearance. As the court found that Rugg took subject to appellan...