Case Name: Emzy Wilson against Lester Bushnell
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Arkansas
Decision Date: 1839-01
Citations: 1 Ark. 465
Docket Number: 
Parties: Emzy Wilson against Lester Bushnell.
Judges: 
Reporter: Arkansas Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 465–471

Head Matter:
Emzy Wilson against Lester Bushnell.
Error to Pula'ski Circuit CourL
It is no't necessary to prove actual possession by the plaintiff of the premises at the time the trespasses were alleged to have been committed, to maintain trespass q. a. f.
tJpon the general issue in trespass, and a special plea, a general finding for , the plaintiff co vers both issues, and is good.
A general verdict is good on two issues, where the finding necessarily shows that the subject matter of both issues was determined by the court.
This was an action óftrespass-^, c. f. brought by Bushnell in the court below, for entering upon his close, and cutting trees, splitting them into cord wood, selling and 'conveying away cord wood, and keeping a woodyard there. The defendant below pleaded two pleas — first, not guilty — second1, not guilty as to all the trespasses except carrying away the cord wood, and as to that justifying that he cut and split up the cord wood on the land while it was the public land of the United States; and that after it was sold to the plaintiff below he had entered peaceably, and taken away the cord wood-as he lawfully might do. — , ffo general issue the plaintiff below filed his similiter, and- to the special plea he replied de injuria, to which the defendant joined issue.
A jury being called to try these issues, after hearing the evidence* the defendant below moved the'court to instruct the jury, that in order to entitle the plaintiff to a verdict, he must have been in actual pos-sesssion of the premises at the time the alleged trespasses were com, mitted — which instructions the court refused, and instructed the jury that such proof was unnecessary.
The jury then found for the plaintiff in the general Words, “ We, the jury, find for the plaintiff,” and assessed the damages at eighty dollars.
The defendant then filed bis motion in arrest of judgment, because the verdict was not responsive to the issues, which motion was overruled.
OdMMiNS &; Pike, for plaintiff in error:
The plaintiff in error conceives that the court- below erred in refis» s*ng to give the instruction asked for, and in overruling the motion in arrest.
The rule appears to have been long and well established, that “ there must be a possession in fact of the real property to which the injury was done, in order to entitle a party to maintain an action of trespass q. c. f A general property is not sufficient.” Campbell vs. Arnold, 1 J. R. 511; 3 Lev. 209.” It is settled law that to maintain trespass the plaintiff must be ia possession.' Pr. Radclifp, Judge, in Dunhamvs. Stuyvesant,\\ J. R. 569: The action of trespass may be ■maintained by a person in possession, though he have not the legal title; and though the legal title may come in question, it is not necessary it should. Marker vs. Birbeck, 3 Burr, 1563; Cary vs. Holt, 2 Sir. 1238; 2 Saund. on PI. & Ev. 866; Lambert vs Strother, Willes, 221; Graham vs. Peat, 1 East, 244.
The legal owneroftentimescannot maintain trespass — as when lessee ■for years, tenant at will or sufferance is in possession under him — and they may maintain it against him. Saund. on PL & Ev. 866; 1 East, 245, n. a. 1 Saund. 325, n. 2; II Mod. 208; I Bingh. 158, s. c. Taunton vs. Costar, 7 T. R. 431, s. p.
“The party must have actual and lawful possession of real property to enable him to maintain trespass.” Stuyvesant vs. Dunham, 9 J. R. 61;' Smith vs. Milles,\ T. R. 480; Taylor vs. Townsend, 8 Mass. 411; Cooke vs. Thornton, 6 Rapd. 8; Truss vs. Gld, 0 Rand. 556. The same rule is broadly laid down in 6 Bac. Ab. 566: A plaintiff can- • not maintain trespass q. c. f. if he have not actual possession, though he has the freehold in law. 6 Com.. Dig. Ires. B. 3; 5 East. 485.
A patentee cannot maintain trespass before entry. Walton vs. Clarke, 4 Bibb, 213. See also Plowd. 142; Cro. Jac. 604; Carrinevs. Wes-terfeld, 3 Marsh. 333.
In the case of Lutwych vs. Mition, above referred to, Cro. Jac. 604, it was resolved by Ho3aet and Monta&ub, Chief Justices, and Tan-.biblb, Ch. Baron,-that an estate for years might absolutely and actually vest in a lessee, as the use, but that he could not have, without entry and actual possession. 2 Phil, on Ev. 182.
As to the second point, the general principle with regard to the •verdict, where there areseveral issues, is laid down in the case of Foster vs. Jackson, Hobart, 5-la. and recognized in Hawks vs. Crofton, 2 Burr, 698, and Porter vs. Rummery, 10 Mass. 64. It is this: that when the .•general issue and special pleas are pleaded, and a verdict is found for the plaintiff on the general issue only, without regarding the other ' issues, if it is apparent that the verdict could not have been so found if the special pleas had-been supported, the omission is merely matter of form, and no ground for impeáching the verdict. Thus in Hawks vs. Croft'on, above referred to, the pleas to the action, which was trespass, were non cul. and son assault demesne. So also in replevin where the pleas are non cepit, and property in a stranger with an avowry for return. Thompson vs. Button, 14 J'. R. 81; because in-both these cases a finding on one issue was a finding on the other.
But if there be several issues and a verdict good as to one, but imperfect as to others, a venire facias de novo goes as to all. Com. Dig. Pleader, S. 20; Porter vs. Rummery, 10 Mass. 68; where to debt on bond the pleas were non esi factum, and conditions performed — verdict on the first issue, but nothing said as to the second, the verdict was overruled; Van Benthuysen vs. De Witt, 4- J. R. 213; Dastonvs». Collier, 1 Missouri Rep. 422; Brockway vs. Kinney,. 2 J. R. 210. In the present case the second issue might well be found for, and the first against the defendant below.. See'Patterson vs. United States,4 Cond. Rep. 98. If the verdict be defective, and omits finding any thing within the province of the jury to find, no .judgment can be given, and there must be aven.fac. de novo. Rex vs. St. Asaph, 3 T. R. 428 in notis. 2 Cro. 210. See 4 Munf. 402; 2 Saund. 171.
In.this case the quantum of damages depended almost altogether, upon.the finding on the second issue; for if the jury found that the defendant did not cut the cord wood before the plaintiff purchased-the land of the United States, they, were bound to render damages for. the whole amount of the wood taken away. It was therefore of the. utmost importance that they should find on each.issue, as-they, were, sworn. ' ■
Fowler & Blackburh, contra:
The defendant in error insists that the instructions given by the-court, were upon an abstract point, which the record does not show to have been material to the issue joined. Testimony applicable to. such instructions should have been spread out in the bill of exceptions to show'that the said Wilson was prejudiced thereby: otherwise such instructions should be treated as a nullity, ahd disregarded by this court — or, at any rate, construed mqst favorably to the party, obtaining the judgment below, and strongly against the party excepting. In order to entitle Wilson to any benefit from such instructions, he should show in his bill of exceptions that no evidence of actual possess sion was given; or if any was given, what the purport of that evidence was: otherwise it must be presumed that sufficient evidence of that fact was before the jury, or they would not have found in BushneWs favor. I Bibb Rep. 371, White vs. Fox.
Even upon the supposition that no proof of actual possession was made by the plaintiff, (which is not admitted here, or shown by the record,) Bushnell still contends that the verdict and judgment were legally rendered. It may be true, that by the rigid rules of the old law, as enforced in England, proof of actual possession by the plaintiff was necessary; but such doctrine, it is contended, has been deviated from in modern decisions, particularly those made in America, as being unfounded in reason, and wholly inapplicable to the condition of the wild lands in our country. And the action of trespass may now be sustained by the owner of wild lands, of which he has not actual possession. And in the case before the court, the plaintiff’s title to the land ip question is not controverted by the defendant’s plea; consequently the title is admitted: and under the state of the pleadings no such proof of actual possession was necessary. This doctrine is fully sustained by the Statute law of Arkansas, which subjects every person to an action of trespass, who cuts, down, injures, destroys, or carries away, any tree or trees, &c. or any limber, wood, or underwood,, standing, laying, or growing “ on the land of any other person,” &c.— See Pope, Steele. & Me Camp. Dig. p. 547, 548, sec. 12. Therefore the title, not being controverted by the plea, it is admitted that said trespasses were committed on said BushneWs land, which, under the Statute, is sufficient to justify the instructions and judgment of the court below. And if proof of actual possession were necessary prior to the passage of this Statute, it is not so. now — proof of ownership being all that is necessary under the Statute.
The verdict was amply sufficient to authorize a. judgment, and was responsive to the issue, even under the technical decisions of the common law courts of England. It is not necessary that a jury should find upon each issue separately; a general finding is sufficient. The finding in this case was general for the plaintiff, as shown by the record. And even if* not technically in form, it is in substance clearly sufficient; and it was the duty of the court below, and the province of this court, to collect the meaning of the jury, and render judgment accordingly. Yerdicts are not to be taken strictly, or scrutinized strictly, as pleadings are; but, on theotbcr hand, must be construed liberally, and effect given to them, where their meaning can be ascertain* ed. Vide 1 Bibb R°p. 247 etseq. 251, Worford vs. Isbel-, 337, Hatcher vs. Fowler; 2 Burr Rp. 693, Hawks vs. Crofton; Hobart, 54; Crq, Eliz• 854; 2 Bibb Rep. 428; 2 Bibb Rep, 257, Crazier vs. Gano & wife.
The court did not err in overruling Wilson’s motion iff arrest of judgment.
See 2 Haywood’s Rep. 402; Stark. Ev. 1437, n. 1; Saund. on PL & Ev. 888; 1 Burr Rep. 383; 1 J. J. Marsh. 314 st seq-, Gould’s Ed. of Esp. N. P. vol. 1, p. 384.
The owner of wild land is so in possession as to maintain trespass until an adverse possession is clearly made out. Mathew vs. Trinity Church, 3 S. & R. 531; Stambaugh vs. Hollabaugh, 10 S. & R, 357; Gambling vs. Prince, 2 JVolt & McC. 138/ 2 Wh. Selwyn, 483, JV. C.
Revised Statutes Ark. p. 846, See. 19: il J. R. 385, 3 3, R. 270, 15 J. R. 117.

Opinion:
Lacy, Judge,
delivered the opinion of the court:
This case comes up on a writ of error sued out to the Pulaski Circuit Court. The plaintiff in the court below brought an action of trespass cjuare clausum fregit against the defendant for entering his close, cutting down his trees, splitting them into cord wood, selling and carrying away the same, and keeping a woodyard on the premises described in the declaration.
The declaration contains two counts, and though somewhat inaccurately and informally drawn, is deemed nevertheless to be substantially correct. The defendant filed two pleas in bar of the action.— The first was a plea of the general issue, and the second, a special plea of not guilty to all the trespasses alleged to have been committed in the declaration, except that of carrying away the cord wood, and as to that, justifying that he cut and split the cord wood on the land while it was apart of the public domain of the United States; and that after it was sold to the plaintiff, he had specially entered and taken it away as of right he might lawfully do. The plaintiff took issue on the general plea of not guilty; and to the second plea he put in a demurrer, and the demurrer after argument was overruled and the plea adjudged sufficient. Whereupon the plaintiff replied generally, and the defendant joined issue. The parties then proceeded to, trial uPon issues thus found* and after hearing the evidence, the jury found for the plaintiff, and assessed his damages at eighty dollars. — • Thereupon-judgment was entered up for the plaintiff, and the defendant then moved the court to arrest the judgment, which motion was overruled, and to the opinion thus given he excepted, and placed his bill of exceptions upon the record. During the progress of the trial; the defendant moved the court to instruct the jury, that in order to entitle the plaintiff to a verdict, he must have been in actual possession-of the premises at the time the trespasses were alleged to have been-committed, which instructions the court refused.to give, but instructed the jury that such proof was not necessary to enable the plaintiff to-maintain his action. To this decision of the court the defendant also excepted, and filed' his bill of exceptions, which was regularly signed by the judge and made a part of the record. The assignment of errors questions the correctness of the decision of the court below upon the grounds — 1st, in giving to the jury improper instructions; 2nd, in-pronouncing judgment on an invalid verdict; 3rd, in not arresting the ' judgment on the defendant's motion. These questions we will now severally examine in the order they are presented. The instruction given to the jury is, that it is not necessary for the plaintiff to prove actual possession of the premises at the time the trespasses are alleged to have been committed in ordervto enable him to maintain his action.. The doctrine in relation to this subject has.been fully examined during the present term, in the case of Ledbetter vs. Fitzgerald, and the rule as there laid down is considered perfectly correct, and entirely applicable to the case now under consideration. It is true that, by the common law actual possession or constructive possession by operation of law as by conveyances under the Statute of uses, was necessary to be proved to maintain trespass; for before entry and actual possession,, one could not maintain .an action of trespass, though he had the freehold inlaw. 3 Black. Com. 211, 12; 2 Saunders on Pleading, 868; 1 Saund. Rep. 322; 2 T. R. 13; 8 East. 109; Bacall's Abrid, title C. 3. But the doctrine is now wholly exploded by the courts of our own country, for as an actual entry into wild and uncultivated land would give no notoriety to the possession or the change of property, it is declared to be an impracticable andan utterly useless thing; and of course a plaintiff may maintain tréspass. in such cases without actual possession of the premises — without ever having made an entry upon the land. For not to giye him such a right would be to expose his possession to serious and destructive injury without any adequate remedy or redress. For if he is seized by a lawful estate of inheritance or in fee, the law presumes that he is rightfully in possession to the extent of his boundary, and his seizin is not confined to his mere occupancy, or actual cultivation; but if he enters without title, he is then confined by metes and bounds strictly to his actual possession.
It necessarily results from the position, that a party may maintain trespass upon a mere constructive or legal possession, without ever having been actually in the possession of the premises, and as the title of-the plaintiff is shown and admitted by the plea, that therefore it was unnecessary to adduce any evidence of it. The opinion of the, court was therefore correct in the instructions given to the jury on this point. <
Upon the second assignment of error, it is contended that the verdict is not responsive to the issues joined,, and of course no valid judgment can be rendered in the case. The record shows that the .jury weresworn to try the issues joined, and that they find forthe plaintiff, and assess the damages by him sustained at the sum of eighty dollars. This finding evidently covers both issues, for they were sworn to try the issues made up by the pleadings; and the response is, they find for the plaintiff. A general verdict is held to be good on two issue, where the finding necessarily shows that the subject matter of both issues was determined by the verdict; and so it was ruled in the case of Login vs. Elder, 1st Burrow, 383; 1st J. J. Marshall, 314, 18, Bates vs. Lewis. And in the case of Dyer vs. Hatch, decided during the present term, the doctrine, as laid down in the cases above cited, is enforced and illustrated; and the case now under consideration clearly falls within the principle, and reason of the rule there stated. The verdict in this case is unquestionably good, for it finds the facts put in issue by the parties in such a manner that a valid judgment can bo pronounced in 'the case.' It is, therefore, believed there is no error in the assignment which questions the sufficiency of the verdict. The decision of the two first assignments necessarily disposes of the defend, ant's motion to arrest the judgment; for if the instructions given to the jury were correct, and the verdict sufficient, it is clear that there is no ground for arresting the judgment; for there are no other errors apparent upon the record as put in issue by the pleadings. The judgment of the court below must, therefore, be affirmed with costs.