Finnegan v. Brown

LOVELY, J. Appeal from an order refusing to strike out a demand for a second trial in an action involving rights to real property. It was alleged in the complaint that the plaintiff was the owner and in possession of the land in dispute. Appellant’s answer denies the allegations of the complaint, and for an affirmative defense alleges that, at the time of the commencement of the action, he was and is the owner in fee simple and in actual possession of the lands described in the complaint, and asks that title be adjudged in him, and that the adverse claim of plaintiff be declared null and void, with prayer for judgment that the owner is entitled [509] to tbe possession of tbe land in question and for general relief. Plaintiff’s reply was a general denial of tbe affirmative matter in tbe answer. Tbe case was tried to tbe court, but tbe evidence is not returned, either by bill of exceptions or settled case, so tbat tbis appeal must be disposed of upon tbe pleadings and findings of tbe trial court. Tbe court found tbat eacb and every allegation of tbe complaint "is false and untrue, except tbe allegation tbat tbe defendant, A. A. Brown, claims some riglyt, title and interest in and to tbe land described.” It also found tbat "eacb and every allegation of tbe answer of tbe defendant * * * is true.” As a conclusion of law, it was beld tbat tbe title in fee simple to tbe property was in tbe defendant A. A. Brown, and tbat no' one but tbe defendant A. A. Brown “bas any title, estate, claim, lien or interest in or to said land, or any portion thereof; but tbe said defendant, A. A. Brown, is entitled to have bis possession and title in fee simple forever quieted and confirmed in him.” Upon tbe pleadings and findings above set forth, judgment was entered in behalf of tbe defendant A. A. Brown, after which the plaintiff, in due time and in proper form, gave notice of demand for a second trial of tbe cause, under tbe provisions of tbe statute authorizing tbe same in actions for tbe recovery of real property. Gr. S. 1894, §§ 5845, 5846. Appellant moved to strike out such notice and demand, which motion was denied, and be appeals from such order to tbis court. Tbe only question on tbis appeal which we feel called upon to consider is whether, as a matter of right, upon tbe pleadings and findings of tbe trial court, tbe plaintiff was entitled to a second trial, under tbe statutes referred to. Some confusion seems to have arisen as to tbe effect of previous decisions of tbis court upon tbis subject, but as we understand tbe result of all tbe cases where tbe distinction between actions concerning real property has been considered for tbe purpose of determining whether, in such actions, tbe unsuccessful party at tbe first trial is entitled to a second trial as a matter of right, under tbe statute which authorizes tbe same, tbe proper test bas been whether, taking tbe pleadings together, without reference to tbe formal averments in them but taken in connec [510] tion with the findings, the decision of the court determined the ownership as well as right of possession in the prevailing party; and where such rights have concurred, it has been the purpose of this court to disregard the mere technical effect of the pleadings in favor of the substantial rights of the parties, under the remedial statutes which give a second trial in actions to recover real property. It goes upon mere statement that our system of pleading was adopted and has been extended from time to time to avoid all fictions and subterfuges by which the real merits of remedial rights can be defeated by the artful subtility of the Jfieader, and we do not think there is any real inconsistency between the former decisions of this court on the question under consideration. In the late case of Gahre v. Berry, 79 Minn. 20, 81 N. W. 537, it was held on a similar issue that, if the trial court found “that the plaintiff was in possession of the land, but that the defendant was the owner in fee and entitled to possession thereof, and'judgment had been entered accordingly, the plaintiff would clearly have been entitled to a second trial under the statute.” We cannot distinguish the case at bar from the one last cited. Here the court did find that appellant was the owner and in possession of the property, and also that the allegations of the complaint that the plaintiff was the owner as well as in possession were untrue; and the only inference that can follow from these findings is that the plaintiff was not in possession, while the defendant was, — thus making the right to possession to which either one party or the other was entitled the contested subject of the trial, presenting plainly and simply a controversy over the right to the recovery of the possession to real property which the unsuccessful litigant in this case seeks, and will be entitled to obtain, if he prevails on the second trial. We hold that the decision of Gahre v. Berry, supra, rules this case and must be followed. The disposition we have made of this case renders it unnecessary to consider any other question presented by this appeal. Order affirmed.