Case ID: ky-op_11/html/0047-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Judge Prytor :", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Thomas Elder v. Wm. Lucas’ Exr. et al.
    [Abstract Kentucky Law Reporter, Vol. 2-229.]
    Sale of Land by Sheriff.
    When one in good faith buys at sheriff’s sale a tract of land represented to contain ISO acres, and the tract contains only 90 acres, equity will give him relief and he will be permitted to withhold deferred payments equal to the value of the land he did not receive.
    APPEAL FROM RUSSELL CIRCUIT COURT.
    February 15, 1881.
   Opinion by

Judge Prytor :

It is conceded that Lucas sold to Elder the tract of land as containing 150 acres, and it is also admitted that the tract contained only ninety acres. Elder, it is true, was placed in the possession, and, finding that his land was deficient in quantity, brought suit against the owner of the adjoining land in order to recover what he supposed was the quantity of land to which he was entitled. His action was without merit, having not even a shadow of right to recover; still he is made to pay the balance of the purchase-money when there is an admitted deficit of sixty acres. This fact is not controverted, and why he should be made to pay the remaining purchase-money can not well be perceived. The sale and purchase both seem to have been made in good faith, and the error originated in the sale of the land by the sheriff to the vendor, Lucas, the tract having been sold as containing 150 acres when it only contained ninety acres. Equity certainly entitles the appellant to relief.

J. F. Montgomery, A. Duvall, for appellant.

J. E. Hays, for appellees.

The judgment is reversed and cause remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.