Jaques v. Lester

Mr. Chief Justice Scott delivered the opinion of the Court: The bill in this case was filed in the circuit court of Champaign county, by John B. Lester, against Frank G. Jaques. «Complainant alleges he is the owner in fee simple of the lands described in the bill, and the relief sought is to have a title, claimed by defendant to the same lands, removed as a cloud upon his title. It will be seen, on looking into the bill, that complainant claims title to the lands in controversy from the United States, through P. S. Loughborough, and successive conveyances to himself, and avers that such lands, since they were conveyed by Loughborough to William J. Graves, oru May 24, 1845, have been continuously in the actual possession of Graves, and his donees and grantees. The cloud sought to be removed, the bill charges, was created by a deed from Elizabeth Loughborough, devisee of P. S. Loughborough, of date June 2, 1855, to James F. Gamble and others, and through them to defendant,—the deed from Elizabeth Lough-borough having been recorded June 7, 1855. The answer of defendant is not under oath, and simply denies that complainant had title to the lands named, and asserts title in himself, under Elizabeth Loughborough, free from any claim under the Graves title. It will be observed, both parties claim the title that was in P. S. Loughborough. The difficulty in the case all comes from the fact the deed from P.'S. Loughborough to William J. Graves, from which complainant claims title, although made-on the 24th day of May, 1845, was not filed for record until December 14, 1855. In the meantime, Elizabeth Lough-borough, sole devisee under the will of P. S. Loughborough, on the 2d day of June, 1855, conveyed the same lands the testator had previously conveyed to William J. Graves, to J amesF. Gamble and others, through whom defendant claims title.. The deed from Elizabeth Loughborough seems to have been filed for record June 7, 1855, which was before the deed from P. S. Loughborough to William J. Graves was recorded. It is-evident, however, that Graves, or other persons under him, had such possession of the lands prior to the making of the deed! from Elizabeth Loughborough, that would put purchasers, from lier on inquiry as to the rights of persons then and now claiming title to these lands under the prior deed from her testator. It is also clear, that at the time of the' death of P. S. Loughborough he had no interest whatever in these lands that could pass to his devisee. He had parted with all his title and interest, by deed, ten years before his devisee assumed to convey such lands. Thus it is seen, the grantees from Elizabeth Loughborough have no equities that should prevail over the superior equities of the grantees holding under the deed from the testator himself. It is proved, P. S. Lough-borough, from whom both parties claimed title, on the 24th day of May, 1845, conveyed the lands in controversy to William J. Graves. It also appears, past all doubt, since the date of that deed, Graves and his grantees or donees have had the possession of such lands down to the time of filing this bill, and during all that time have exercised acts of dominion over them, as an absolute owner would do. There is not a scintilla of evidence that shows, or even tends to show, an adverse possession in any one. No question is made as to the deed from P. S. Loughborough to William J. Graves, from whom complainant attempts to deraign title. Apparently, the title claimed by complainant is paramount, but without examining to ascertain whether every link in the chain of title from Graves to complainant has been proved, by competent evidence, so as to show a perfect title, it is sufficient the proof shows that since the time Graves took possession of these lands, under a valid paper title, to which no objection is taken, either he or his grantees, or their donees, have been in the actual and exclusive possession, and as that possession has continued uninterruptedly for a period of more than twenty years, the title of complainant, now in the actual possession, must be regarded as the superior title, both in law and in equity. The decree of the circuit court will be affirmed. Decree affirmed.