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12 Cal. 295

Steinback v. Fitzpatrick

California Supreme Court

Decided January 15, 1859

California Supreme Court · decided 1859-01-15

<p>In an action of ejectment to recover the possession of a tract of land, the plaintiff must aver either title or possession. The mere taking from the land a portion of the herbage growing thereon, is not sufficient to give a right of possession.</p> <p>Hor is a complaint in such action sufficient, which fails to aver a continued adverse holding by the defendant.</p>

Decided 1859-01-15

Terry, C. J.,

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court—Baldwin, J., concurring.

¶2The demurrer to the complaint was properly sustained.

¶3The first count alleges that one Spencer, the grantor of plaintiff, was seized in his demesne as of fee and right, by taking the esplees thereof to the value of one dollar, and that plaintiff, by virtue of a conveyance from Spencer, is entitled to the possession.

¶4This is not a sufficient statement of a cause of action, under our statute. No title or actual possession is shown in the grantor of plaintiff, and the mere taking from the land of a portion of the herbage growing thereon, is not sufficient to give a right of possession.

¶5The second count is defective, because it does not aver a continued adverse holding by the defendant.

¶6Judgment affirmed.

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