Case Name: Vanhook vs. Story et als.
Court: Tennessee Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Tennessee
Decision Date: 1843-04
Citations: 4 Hum. 59
Docket Number: 
Parties: Vanhook vs. Story et als.
Judges: 
Reporter: Tennessee Reports
Volume: 23
Pages: 59–62

Head Matter:
Vanhook vs. Story et als.
1. A house was occupied as a school house by consent of Story, who claimed the right to the possession of the land on which it was situated,. Before the termination of the school, Vanhook took possession of the house, declaring'that if any person attempted to dispossess him, he would shoot him: Held, that this was a forcible entry and de-tainer; and if held after the termination of thé school, it was a forcible detainer of the premises of Story, for which the writ lies.
2. Vanhook forcibly took possession of a school house. Story who claimed the right to the possession, and who was forcibly dispossessed, said if Vanhook had Carter’s right, he had a right to the possession, but that he did not believe thathehad Carter's right. Vanhook proved that he had Carter’s 'right *. Held, that these facts did not establish the assent of Story’s mind to Vanhook taking possession; and if the possession was taken without such assent, it was forcible and unlawful.
On the 8th day of April, 1842, Story’s heirs filed their petition in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Madison county, against Vanhook. This petition states, that they are the owners of a certain tract of land, which is described by metes and bounds, lying in Madison county, 10th district, range 1, section 10. They state, that Vanhook was guilty of a forcible entry upon the land, and then unlawfully detained it. 'That they were in possession of it at the time of the forcible entry and unlawful detainer, and request the issuance of process against Vanhook.
A summons was issued, and defendant notified to appear and answer. He appeared and pleaded not guilty. The issue was submitted to a jury at the August term, 1842, Read, Judge, presiding, and a verdict returned, that the defendant was guilty of an unlawful detainer. Amotion was thereupon made for a new trial by defendant, which was overruled, judgment rendered, and defendant appealed.
The facts of the case, and charge of the court, are stated in the opinion of the court.
McLanahan and Scurloclc, for the plaintiffs in error.
Gibbs, Ewell and McLellan, for the defendants in error.

Opinion:
This in an action for a forcible detainer, brought by the Storys against the plaintiff in error, Vanhook. It appeared in evidence, that the' premises had been long in the possession of the father of the plaintiffs below; that he had agreed, verbally, to let the neighborhood have an acre of his land for a school house, and that a house was built, and a school taught therein. The plaintiffs, after the death of their father, refused to ratify the contract, and requested the patrons of the school to remove the school to some other place, but afterwards agreed to permit the school to continue for the time. After the teacher had dismissed the school on Thursday evening, having fastened the door by putting a bench against it, the plaintiff in error drove his wagon up to the door of the school house, took out his goods and placed them in the house, and with his family took possession thereof. He declared that day, that he would shoot any one who should attempt to put him out, and he continued in possession until this suit was brought. The defendant proved, that on Friday evening, while he was in possession of the house, Otey Story, one of the plaintiffs, said to Vanhook, that his father never denied that Martha Carter had a right to the land, and that if Vanhook had her right, he had a right to come in, but he did not believe he had her right. The defendant read in evidence a deed of quit claim from Martha Carter for the land, including the house in question.
The court charged the jury in substance, that if the land was occupied as a school house, it would be in possession of the teacher, and not-of the Storys, and that while thus possessed a forcible entry into it would not entitle the Storys to recover for a forcible entry; but, that if upon the termination of the school, the plaintiffs were entitled to possession, ' and the defendant continued to hold the possession against their will, in such way as that their possession could not be regained without a breach of the peace, he would be guilty of a forcible detainer; and that written notice to him to quit was not necessary. The jury found the defendant guilty, and he appealed to this court.
It is now insisted for the plaintiff in error, that Vanhook was in possession by the consent of thé Stores claiming title for himself, and that they, therefore, cannot dispossess him. But the facts, as set forth in this record, do not justify the conclusion, that the Storys either consented that Vanhook should take possession, or that he might retain such possession after it had been taken.
There is no question as to the violence and force employed by Vanhook, to obtain possession of the school house. But it is said Story afterwards agreed that he was rightfully in possession, when he said he had never- disputed Martha Carter's right, and that if "Vanhook had her title, he had a right to the possession, but that he did not believe Vanhook had her right." It is supposed thatthis declaration, coupled with the facts thatVan-hook had acquired, by quit-clairn deed, Martha Carter's interest in the land, establishes the assent on the part of Story to the rightful possession of Vanhook. But this is a mistaken inference from these facts. Now, although' one of the Storys said, that Martha Carter had a right to the 'possession, and that if Vanhook had her title, he had such right, yet he added, that he did not believe Vanhook had Martha Carter's right. He plainly here disputes Vanhook's right to the possession, upon the ground, that he did not believe Martha Carter's right was vested in him; and though Vanhook might show that Story was mistaken still the proof of such mistake would not change the state of Story's mind, and make it assent to a proposition, in relation to which he had expressed the strongest dissent.
We think the jury were fully justified in finding Vanhook guilty of a forcible detainer; and as there is no error in the charge of the court, the judgment must be affirmed.