Court Opinion

ID: 7931951
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-08 23:05:22.986629+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:33:23.001919
License: Public Domain

Campbell, J.
Plaintiff recovered in ejectment for lands forming a part of the track of defendant’s railway. He njade out a reguiar title, and defendant introduced no testimony against it. Under these circumstances the recovery was correct.
Mr. Montgomery’s testimony, although he could not testify from knowledge, rendered it quite likely that the company went into possession under permission of the owner, and under the belief that he had granted the lands by a wrong description, which if shown might have brought the case within the principle of Morrill v. Mackman 24 Mich. 279, and given defendant rights which ought not to be disturbed. In the absence of any evidence we are not prepared to hold that the case, although one of continued possession, raises such presumptions in favor of defendant as would defeat a legal action. But the statute which allows new trials will probably make it possible to .remedy this deficiency hereafter. Judgment must be affirmed, but the case remanded to the circuit for such further action as may be deemed necessary in order to secure an adequate showing by the defense of any rights which they may have in the' premises. The application for a second trial must be made there.
The other Justices concurred.