Methodist Episcopal Church of Ashland v. Northern Pacific Railroad

Lyon, J. The special causes of demurrer assigned are abandoned. The only question to be determined is, Does the complaint state a cause of action? It is alleged therein that in 1874 the plaintiff was seised in fee and possessed and entitled to the possession of the lot in controversy, but, in the portion which charges defendant with having dis-seised the plaintiff in 1884, the plaintiff’s seisin at the time is alleged, but there is no express allegation that it was then entitled to the possession,— much less that it was so entitled when the action was commenced. The statute provides that the complaint in ejectment shall specify, among other things, that the plaintiff is entitled to the possession of the premises demanded. R. S. sec. 3077. This means, of course, 133 that be is so entitled at tbe commencement of tbe action. Snob averment is essential to tbe right of action, and the' want of it is not supplied by the statement that tbe defendant now unlawfully withholds possession of tbe lot from the plaintiff. Tbe same averment was contained in tbe complaint in Barclay v. Yeomans, 27 Wis. 682; but it was held not a compliance with tbe statute requiring tbe complaint to specify that tbe plaintiff is entitled to possession of tbe premises claimed. For want of tbe latter averment, a demurrer to tbe complaint was sustained. Tbe rule in that case has been steadily adhered to by this court, and it is now too late to disturb it. Counsel for defendant contends that tbe complaint may be sustained on tbe theory that it contains a good cause .of action in trespass for mesne profits. Tbe position is untenable. Mesne profits are recoverable in an action of ejectment, under sec. 3082, E. S., as incident to tbe recovery of tbe land claimed. It may well be doubted whether, while tbe defendant remains in possession óf tbe land after a dis-seisin, mesne profits can be recovered in an independent action, at least before tbe plaintiff’s title is established in an ejectment suit. This complaint Avas evidently framed under see. 3082. It is for tbe recovery of tbe lot in controversy, and, as incident thereto, tbe mesne profits as damages. Tbe complaint is clearly in ejectment, and because of the omission of tbe averment above mentioned it is insufficient. By the Court.— Tbe order overruhng tbe demurrer to the complaint is reversed, and tbe cause will be remanded with directions to tbe circuit court to sustain tbe demurrer.