Behymer v. Odell

Reeves, J. This suit was brought by appellee to recover the statutory penalty for cutting trees upon her land. The primary question made is, that appellee did not prove that she was the owner in fee of the land upon which the trees were cut. The proof of title was a deed from William Shaeffer and wife to appellee, for eighty acres of land, with proper description, in which the grantors reserved “ the right to take any and all timber off of said land, without charge, they may need for their own use during their lives.” This was the only proof on this point. It is conceded in argument that the plaintiff, in this kind of proceeding, must show that he or she is the owner in fee of the land upon which the trees were cut. This rule is clearly announced in the following cases : Jarrett v. Vaughn, 2 Gilm. 138; Wright v. Bennett, 3 Scam. 258; Whiteside v. Divers, 4 Scam. 336. It is contended that this deed did not convey a title in fee simple. It is well settled that when the estate is not limited tq life or years, and no remainder attaches, the title passed is a fee simple. Applying this rule to the deed under consideration, it would seem clear that it passed the fee simple title in the land. The reservation in the deed simply excepted from the operation of the deed such of the timber growing on the land as the grantors might need for their own use during their lives. This did not affect the title to the land, which, under the deed, vested in fee simple in Mrs. Odell. It is further contended that, conceding that this deed conveyed the fee, still, possession under the deed is necessary to make proof of title. It will suffice to say, in view of what follows, that .he proof on this point is not satisfactory. There is one error arising upon this record that will make it necessary to reverse the judgment. The amount demanded upon the summons issued by the justice of the peace was §58.SO. The proof showed eight white oak trees cut, and the verdict was for §64, and a judgment entered on the verdict. A remittitur was entered in this court of §7, leaving the amount of the judgment §57. The statute provides for a recovery of §8 per tree. The judgment should be for some multiple of eight. Fifty-seven is not a multiple of eight. A penalty given by the statute can not be split up. The recovery must be for the penalty and not for a part of it. Edwards v. Hill, 11 Ill. 24. It is urged that, as this error in the amount of the judgment was not called specifically to the attention of the trial court, it can not avail in this court. The bill of exceptions contains a motion in arrest of judgment, which assigns as one ground of the motion that the verdict is. for'a larger amount than is claimed on the back of the summons issued by the justice of the peace. Affidavits were filed in this court tending to show that this ground of the motion was not brought to the attention of the court. A trial court has full power to protect itself, by requiring such motion to, be written out and filed, before passing upon it, and should exercise this power. Where this is not done we do not feel called upon to go behind the record and inquire as to what was done. It would be a dangerous practice to do so. It will be observed that the error for which we reverse the judgment is not that the amount of the judgment exceeds the amount claimed on the back of summons, but that the amount of the judgment, after the remittitur, is one which can not stand under the law as to the recovery for a statutory penalty. The judgment of the County Court is reversed and the cause remanded. Reversed and remanded.