Court Opinion

ID: 9592362
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 00:13:26.791621+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:38.532000
License: Public Domain

*1262TAYLOR, Justice,
dissenting, with whom MACY, J., joins.
Earl Hillard purchased 310.62 acres of land near Buffalo, Wyoming from Eleanor M. Schrater in December, 1961. Prior to Mr. Hillard’s purchase of the land, he had leased the same tract of land for approximately ten years. The entire acreage is enclosed by a fence which was erected in the early 1920⅛. Within the fenced perimeter, there is a 14.19 acre tract of land and a 9.01 acre tract of land. Both of these tracts of land are the subject of this dispute. The district court found that Mr. Hillard established title by adverse possession to the 14.19 acre tract, but not to the 9.01 acre tract.
Mr. Hillard used both tracts of land in his farming and ranching operations for more than thirty years. Both tracts of land are within the same boundary fence maintained by Mr. Hillard. Mr. Hillard’s neighbors recognized and acknowledged the fence to be his property line.
In my mind, the possession by Mr. Hillard of both the 14.19 acre tract and the 9.01 acre tract is virtually identical. Mr. Hillard’s possession of both tracts of land was open, notorious, exclusive and continuous for thirty years. His use of both tracts was hostile and under claim of right.
I would reverse the district court and quiet title to the 9.01 acres in Mr. Hillard.