Court Opinion

ID: 9443269
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-03 19:16:26.200381+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:29:26.134037
License: Public Domain

HUXMAN, Circuit Judge
(concurring especially).
50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, § 525 in clear language provides that the time spent in military service shall not be included in computing the time during which property may be redeemed from sale in any proceeding for the enforcement of any obligation, tax or assessment. Stated otherwise, entry into military service stops the running of any period of redemption. It does not begin to run again until discharge therefrom. Wil-kin thus had the right to redeem when he returned from the service.
When Wilkin redeemed, title to the property was reinvested in him. Shell’s title failed with the failure of the title of its grantor, the State of Oklahoma. This is so because Shell was not, and under the undisputed facts in the record, could not become a bona fide purchaser for value without notice. It was bound to take notice and have knowledge of the law and was thus bound to know that if Wilkin was in the service he had the right to redeem upon return therefrom and, if he did, its title would fail with the ending of the title of his grantor. Since this effectively disposes of the controversy there is no need to interpret or rely upon Harjo v. Johnston, 187 Okl. 561, 104 P.2d 985.
The Harjo case is a controversial one. It was decided by a sharply divided court. It contains a strong dissenting opinion, which has much to commend it. The syllabus of the court, which in Oklahoma states the law, limits its application to minor’s interest. That this was the interpretation of both the majority and minority is clearly indicated in both opinions. There *53is nothing in the majority opinion making it apparent whether Oklahoma, will ultimately apply its doctrine to all judicial sales and, since the determination of that question is not essential to a complete adjudication of this controversy, I prefer to leave it for ultimate decision with the Oklahoma Court.