Means v. Haley

Decided March 15, 1904

Mississippi Supreme Court · decided 1904-03-15

From the chancery court of Leflore county. Hon. Carey C. Moody, Chancellor. Mrs. Haley, the appellee, was complainant, and Means and others, appellants, defendants in the- court below. From a decree in complainant’s favor the defendants appealed to the supreme court. Mrs. Haley filed her bill in the chancery court of Leflore county, against appellants and all persons having or claiming any interest in the lands described in the bill, to quiet her tax title to said land.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently February 1885

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1904-03-15

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Truly, J.,

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶2This case is controlled by the decision of this court in Paxton v. Valley Land Company, 68 Miss., 739 (10 South., 77), and we decline to disturb the rule of property which has grown out of that case. The intent of the legislature in enacting the several laws germane to this matter was to validate the title and make secure the possession of that large class of property owners in the delta of our state who hold under various sales for taxes made in years past. It certainly should not be the policy of the courts to disturb titles so quieted on account of any difference of opinion merely as to the correctness of past adjudications. In this class of cases, more than probably in any other, it is proper to observe and respect the wholesome doctrine of stare decisis, and follow the “broad and beaten way.”

¶3Affirmed and remanded, with sixty days to answer after filing of mandate in the court below.