Gibson v. Van Syckle

Campbell, J. This case comes up to review the action of the circuit court for the county of Yan Burén, allowing an instrument as the last will of one James Young, who died in Iowa in January, 1851, while on his way to a place in which he intended to settle. The document was not in the form of a will, but is a letter purporting to be written by the decedent, — not in person but as signed “ James Young, by Pobert B. Moore.” After giving some personal news a paragraph occurs in these words: “ I want the proceeds of my estate to go to Pobert and Elizabeth Gibson.” It is this paragraph which is claimed to have operated as a will. There is nothing else having any such appearance, unless it is the signature of another person in this form: “ Attest, J. E. Shellady.” [442] Shellady and Moore are both dead, and there was no testimony whatever as to the circumstances attending the execntion of the paper. The court below held it might be inferred that it was meant to be a will, and was executed at Young’s request by Moore in his presence, aud attested in his presence. The court also found that there was but one attesting witness, but that being executed beyond the State one witness was enough. This was set up as a will of land, and the parties interested are only interested in it as such. There is no statute that, has been brought to our notice that authorizes a will of lands-to be executed without two witnesses, except in the single case of a will probated elsewhere and established here on such probate. Comp. L. § 4342. Whether it can be allowable to regard this provision as broad enough to authorize an original probate here of a will executed according to the laws of another 'jurisdiction we need not consider, as there-is nothing to show this would have been a good execution in Iowa. There is no common-law power to devise lands, and the whole, subject is governed by statute. The paper, therefore, is not entitled to probate, whether intended as a will or not. As this defect is one which cannot be remedied, we need not refer to the other difficulties apparent on the record, which is deficient in almost every essential particular of proof. The document being invalid for any legal purpose, the court below should have refused probate. Upon the finding we must hold that the conclusion of law should have been against the validity of the instrument and in favor of the party resisting probate. The' judgment below in the circuit and probate courts-must be reversed and held for naught, and judgment rendered that the instrument cannot be admitted to probate, and it must be so certified. The appellant is entitled to costs of all the courts, against the proponent,,as there is no. estate in course of probate to be administered. The other Justices concurred.