Court Opinion

ID: 7111086
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 12:26:28.456737+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:13:44.658828
License: Public Domain

Bishop, J.
i. division une: evidence. The parties to this action are respectively the owners of adjoining farms in Story county. It appears that originally one Hillis owned the land comprising both farms, and that plaintiff purchased of him about thirty years before the time of the com*735mencement of this action. Defendant purchased about ten years later. Shortly after plaintiff effected his purchase, a survey of the division line was made, but the facts in respect thereto do not seem to have been ascertainable. However, it is conceded that, as between plaintiff and Hillis, a division of the line separating the two farms was agreed upon for fence purposes, and pursuant thereto fences were put in: Hillis setting out a willow hedge, to which wires were after attached, and plaintiff building a post and wire fence. The line thus adopted was somewhat irregular, and it is now made to appear that in point of fact it was altogether upon the land of plaintiff, and varies from a few inches to about four feet from the true line. This action is brought to recover possession of, and to quiet the title to, such irregular strip. The evidence bearing upon the subject is quite confusing, but we think it fairly appears that prior to the purchase by defendant, plaintiff and Hillis each cultivated up to the fences put in by them, and regarded such fences as marking the true boundary line. After the purchase by defendant, the situation continued unchanged, at least in respect of the extent and character of occupancy. Plaintiff testified that on a number of occasions he complained td* defendant that the fences were not on the true line, and requested that they be removed accordingly. He did nothing, however, looking to a change being made, either in respect of his own fence or that of defendant. On the other hand, defendant testified that nothing was ever said respecting the correctness of the line on which the fences stood; that complaint was made by plaintiff only as to the character of the fences; and that he had at all times acted on the belief that the fence line was the true line. The trial court, with the witnesses before it, found in favor of the contention of defendant, and we cannot say that its finding was not justified. Such being the facts, the case comes fairly within the rule announced in Miller v. Mills County, 111 Iowa, 654, and followed in Axmear v. Richards, 112 Iowa, 657, and other cases.
*7362. Damages: recovery. II. As a ground for the recovery of damages, plaintiff complains that during the past five years defendant has allowed cockiebur and other noxious weeds to grow in large quantities upon liis land in close proximity to £he division line between the farms; that by the action of the wind, and a natural water-course extending from defendant’s land over and upon that of plaintiff, such weeds and the seeds thereof have been carried upon and distribrrted over plaintiff’s lands, whereby the same has been greatly damaged. In alleging his damages, plaintiff states simply that it will cost him $100 to free his land of such, noxious plants and weeds. Should we concede that the alleged tortious matter is such that a recovery predicated thereon might be had in any event, it is plain that none can be awarded plaintiff in this action, in view of his pleading. He does not ask for damages to his land; his prayer is that he may recover the amount of expense which he will be called upon to pay out in removing the objectionable matter; Until an expense has been actually incurred, and the amount thereof definitely ascertained, there is no authority for bringing .an action to recover the sáme.
3. Injunctions. III. Plaintiff 'also seeks in this action an injunction “ restraining the continuance of the cockiebur seed and weeds being blown and drifted upon his land.” The proposition is unique, to say the least. It is not suggested that the growing by one upon his own land of cockiebur and weeds is without legal right, or that in law the field of defendant constituted a nuisance. Counsel does not cite any authority for the granting of an injunction in a case such as plaintiff presents, and we know of none..
We conclude that the trial court rightfully dismissed the action. — Aééirmed.