Opinion ID: 1404721
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: title opinions

Text: During this time, both the Hoskins Heirs and Bledsoe sought and received title opinions on the disputed tract. [6] In March 1985, Joseph K. Beasley issued an opinion stating that it was his opinion that Silas Boggs did not obtain title to the disputed tract via the October 3, 1881 deed from the heirs of Henry M. Lewis. In his opinion, he stated: Under the deed, tract 2, apparently includes by perimeter a description of . . . patent no. 8158, however, this deed in my judgment and opinion, does not convey all of the land referred to in the patent, but restricts it by language further down the deed, from which I quote as follows: `This is to enclose all of the land we own on the right hand fork from the Mill Seat up, . . . ' The above quotation in my opinion narrows the description and the quantity of land in the conveyance and therefore, the full and complete title to the whole 500 acres does not pass to Mr. Boggs. In April 1985, Bledsoe received a title opinion from Stoll, Keenon & Park, that the Hoskins Heirs had marketable title to the disputed tract and that Bledsoe therefore had a vested leasehold interest in the property. This title opinion, in its excePtions also analyzed the impact, if any, of the October 3, 1881 deed to Silas Boggs, concluding: Based upon information currently available to us and upon our review of deeds both within our chain of title and outside our chain of title which convey property located in the general area of Tract 6-D, we believe Felix Lewis et. al., did not intend to convey that portion of the Patent No. 8158 which encompasses parcel E . . . to Silas Boggs . . .; however, the ultimate effect of said deed is a matter of construction based upon the intent of the parties, and we express some reservation as to the legal sufficiency of the language contained therein apparently employed for purposes of exclusion of that portion of Patent No. 8158 which encompasses parcel E hereinabove disclosed. [7] , [8] In 1991, Leonard Brashear checked the title again for Shamrock. He was of an opposite opinion, i.e., that the October 3, 1881 deed did convey title to the disputed tract to Silas Boggs, although he did not express his reasoning. It appears the question of title between the Hoskins Heirs and Boggs Heirs may have first been noted by the coal companies in connection with an April 26, 1979, sub-lease from GRI to Bledsoe. This supposition is based upon a partial lease found in the trial court record and containing what appears to be an incomplete insert containing a page from an old title abstract and certification, which noted the October 3, 1881, adverse conveyance from the children of Henry M. Lewis to Silas Boggs. How this excerpt from an abstract or certification got inside portions of a sublease is unknown. However, it is quite normal for a coal company to check its title prior to expending enormous sums thereon for mining operations.