Carter v. Couch

PARDEE, Circuit Judge. The case made by the amended bill of complaint appears to be one of slander of title, rather than to remove clouds from title, and was probably demurrable on the ground that the complainant had a complete and adequate remedy at law. Pom. Eq. Jur. § 1399; Nickerson v. Loud, 115 Mass. 94. 737 The judgment against Wood and his bondsmen, rendered in the case of Railroad Co. v. Wood, in the supreme court of the state of New Hampshire for the county of Hillsboro, conclusively settled the fact that Wood was indebted to the railroad company, and that Wood’s previous discharge in bankruptcy did not discharge the indebtedness. As the judgment rendered in the case mentioned was satisfied by Graves and Bailey, Wood became, and was, indebted to Graves and Bailey for the amount thereof. As Wood was indebted to Graves and Bailey, the deed of Texas lands in part payment and settlement of such indebtedness, though given under duress of imprisonment, was not absolutely void, but, at most, voidable. The action thereafter instituted by Wood against Burns and Graves and Bailey in the superior court of Suffolk county, state of Massachusetts, for damages for false imprisonment, was certainly not a repudiation of the above-mentioned deed. It ought, rather, to be viewed as a ratification. This deed, executed June 19, 1882, outstanding, (he failure of Wood to institute proceedings to avoid the same until the commencement of the present suit was laches, which, in a court of equity, should estop Wood and his heirs from disturbing any title based upon the deed in question, for which value was paid. On full consideration of the pleadings and all the facts and circumstances shown by the evidence, we conclude that the decree appealed from does substantial justice and equity between the parties, and ought not to be disturbed. Decree affirmed.