{ "id": 8629279, "name": "L. B. CHERRY and JOANNA RAYNOR v. J. E. ANDREWS and MARY W. GODDARD", "name_abbreviation": "Cherry v. Andrews", "decision_date": "1949-12-14", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "261", "last_page": "269", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "231 N.C. 261" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "49 S.E. 2d 641", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "229 N.C. 333", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 12165882 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/229/0333-01" ] }, { "cite": "15 N.C. 481", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11276872 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/15/0481-01" ] }, { "cite": "50 S.E. 848", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "138 N.C. 465", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11269669 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/138/0465-01" ] }, { "cite": "45 S.E. 830", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "133 N.C. 433", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658073 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/133/0433-01" ] }, { "cite": "24 S.E. 2d 342", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "222 N.C. 555", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8631387 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0555-01" ] }, { "cite": "151 S.E. 635", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "198 N.C. 282", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8606358 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/198/0282-01" ] }, { "cite": "90 S.E. 146", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "172 N.C. 219", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11253238 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/172/0219-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 867, "char_count": 24819, "ocr_confidence": 0.488, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.0026447588375551e-07, "percentile": 0.5393063456595346 }, "sha256": "eddc85c86d25725ae0da9498d3274e5d51e05053265511ce7dde2c272593be48", "simhash": "1:174cf4a2f79b7d1f", "word_count": 4438 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:38:15.383158+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "L. B. CHERRY and JOANNA RAYNOR v. J. E. ANDREWS and MARY W. GODDARD." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Winborne, J..\nPlaintiffs challenge, on this appeal, the correctness of the judgment from which appeal is taken, on several grounds. However, after careful consideration of each exception, we are constrained to hold that error of sufficient import to justify disturbing the judgment is not shown.\nI. The first and second exceptions may he treated together. They relate (1) to the overruling of plaintiffs\u2019 motion for judgment on the report of the referee, and (2) to the submission of the first issue. It is contended that no issue was submitted in defendants\u2019 exception on the finding of fact No. 5, \u2014 \u201cwhich presented the pivotal and controlling point in the case,\u201d that is, \u201cthat the line in the Tayloe mortgage and the Ben Eaynor deed went to the run of the swamp.\u201d And it is contended that the first issue does not arise on the pleadings and findings of the referee. Moreover, it is stated, in reference to these exceptions, that \u201cit is apparent that the report of the referee has been treated as of no more significance than a judgment of a J. P.\u201d But be that as it may, these exceptions relate to straw threshed out on former appeal. Eeference to the exceptions filed by defendants, as shown in the records on former appeal and on this .appeal discloses that exception is made specifically to finding of fact No. 5, and the first issue tendered by defendants is expressly directed to this finding-of fact. And on the former appeal the question of the suffi-cieney of the exceptions and tender of issues to preserve defendants\u2019 right to a jury trial, was raised, and considered, and determined.\nIt is true that the former appeal also challenged the ruling of the court in granting the nonsuit. But since it was held (1) that whether the call \u201cthence down the branch to Oashie Swamp\u201d terminates at the edge of the swamp or extends on to the run of it, involves a matter of fact to be found by the jury upon the evidence offered, and (2) that the issue tendered was sufficient to withstand successful attack, confirmation of the report of the referee was not in order. It must be borne in mind that the reference had in this action was ordered under the provisions of the statute providing for compulsory reference. G.S. 1-189. Under this Section it is declared that \u201cthe compulsory reference . . . does not deprive either party of his constitutional right to a trial by jury of the issues of fact arising on the pleadings, but such trial shall be only upon the evidence taken before the referee.\u201d And the decisions of this Court hold that the report of the referee, consisting of his findings of fact and conclusions of law, would not be competent as evidence before the jury. See Bradshaw v. Lumber Co., 172 N.C. 219, 90 S.E. 146, and Booker v. Highlands, 198 N.C. 282, 151 S.E. 635.\nAnd it is not inappropriate to say that while the first issue might have been framed differently, it arose upon the pleadings, G.S. 1-196, and was, and is deemed sufficient to present to the jury the controverted question as to whether plaintiffs own the swamp land lying between their highland and the run of Oashie Swamp. Issues submitted are sufficient when they present to the jury proper inquiries as to all determinative facts in dispute, and afford the parties opportunity to introduce all pertinent evidence and to apply it fairly. Lister v. Lister, 222 N.C. 555, 24 S.E. 2d 342, and cases cited.\nII. Exceptions Nos. 3 to 9, both inclusive, grouped under two headings, bring into focus the principles of law for proper construction of the description in question.\nException No. 3 relates to three deletions from instructions requested by plaintiffs as follows : \u201cIt is a general rule of law for the construction of deeds, that where a deed calls for a swamp, or creek not navigable it extends to the run or thread of the stream\u201d; \u201cIf the run of the branch can be defined and appears to extend beyond the edge of the swamp and into the swamp, the law carries that line to the run\u201d; \u201cYou may consider the nature and character of the branch, beyond the edge, if it is definite, then this deed and its call would go on to the run of the swamp,\u201d \u2014 eliminating the words, \u201cthen this deed and its calls would go to the run.\u201d It is insisted that these requests are not met in the general charge.\nAnd Exceptions 4 to 9, both inclusive, are directed to portions of the charge as given, and \u201care collected,\u201d as plaintiffs say \u201cas presenting the same question, whether the construction of this deed and its line by the call To the swamp\u2019 followed by the next call Thence up the swamp,\u2019 presents a WHAT and not a WHERE.\u201d\nException 6 is directed to this charge: \u201cAs I understand it the deed from the mortgagee to Benjamin Raynor has the same description as this mortgage. You see this description does not say, whether the edge of the swamp or the run of the swamp but says, Thence down the branch to Cashie Swamp,\u2019 and therefore it becomes necessary to decide in this case, and it is the question for the jury to decide as to whether the description takes it to the edge of the swamp or to the run of the swamp.\u201d\nException No. 1 is to that charge, immediately following that to which Exception No. 6 relates, reading: \u201cIf the deed had said specifically that it went to the run of the swamp, then there would not have been any question about it, or if it had said to the edge of the swamp there would have been no question about it, but when it says \u2018down the branch to Cashie Swamp,\u2019 it leaves the matter in such a state that the court cannot determine it as a matter of law but it is for the jury to say what was meant, taking into consideration all the evidence and the surrounding facts and circumstances described by the evidence.\u201d\nAnd, continuing, the court charged: \u201cI charge you as a matter of law that where a creek is called for by name, nothing else appearing, the call must go to the running stream, and when neither the side line or the bank, nor the middle line is expressed, the conclusion of law is, that the channel or middle line is intended. This rule applies when the natural object is unique or has properties or characteristics peculiar to itself and which admit of its easy and certain identification, as a creek or river. There is then no ambiguity in the call, and resort to oral evidence is not necessary in order to fit the description to the thing. (But when, as in this case, the Cashie Swamp is called for it is for the jury to say upon the evidence what was intended, whether the edge of the swamp' or whether the run of the swamp).\u201d The portion in parenthesis only is the subject of Exception No. 8.\nAnd continuing the court further charged: \u201cThe law in this situation will not say arbitrarily whether it is the run of the swamp or the edge of the swamp, but it is a question of fact for the jury to determine upon all the evidence as to which was intended by the call in this mortgage and in this deed.\u201d\nException No. 9 is to court charging that the first issue, reading it, will be submitted to the jury.\nThen, after stating the contentions of the parties, the court, at the request of plaintiffs, gave these instructions: \u201cThe question is whether that mortgage from Watson Tayloe to Wm. J. Myers . . . and the deed from \u00a5m. Myers to Benj. Raynor . . . covered the land in controversy. That question seems to turn upon the question whether the call in the mortgage and the deed: Thence down the branch to Cashie Swamp\u2019 extends to the run of that swamp. The court is leaving that question to you. In determining this question, the jury may consider whether the branch, by a perceptible run or line, reaches the run or thread of the stream. Another aid to the jury is the consideration of the next line, which in your case is: Thence up the swamp\u2019 to what is admitted to be a tract owned by Benj. Raynor at the time this deed was made. You may also consider the nature and character of the branch beyond the edge and if it is definite. The plaintiffs contend that they have shown, to your satisfaction, that this branch does extend beyond the edge and on to the run of the swamp.\u201d\nIn connection with these portions of the charge, it is to be recalled that on the former appeal, it is held by this Court: \u201cIn the light of applicable principles of law declared in the case of Rowe v. Lumber Co., 133 N.C. 433, 45 S.E. 830, particularly in respect of the \u2018Watkins 50-acre tract,\u2019 and again in same case reported in 138 N.C. 465, 50 S.E. 848, in which Brooks v. Britt, 15 N.C. 481, is cited with approval, it would seem that whether the call Thence down the branch to Cashie Swamp\u2019 terminates at the edge of the swamp or extends on to the run of it, involves a matter of fact to be found by the jury upon the evidence offered.\u201d\nIn Brooks v. Britt, supra, in opinion by Gaston, J., the Court had this to say: \u201cHis Honor was unquestionably correct in laying it down as a principle in law, that the swamp was a natural object more certain, and therefore more worthy of reliance than the distances called for in\u2019 the grant; that this swamp was in law a boundary of the patent, and that the defendant\u2019s grant must be extended to it, if the distances would not reach, and restrained by it, if these distances overreached it. But we are of opinion that he erred in pronouncing that if there was a certain and known channel for the water to run in said swamp, the call of the grant was for that run. Whether the run in the boggy and sunken land, or the margin of such boggy and sunken land, was the call of the grant, depended upon facts fit to be proved, and proper to be passed upon by the jury. If, when the grant issued, the low grounds were known as the Swift Creek Swamp, and the run or channel was not termed the swamp, but had another appellation, such as Swift Creek, or east prong, or any other distinctive name, then the call of the grant was for those low grounds, and not for the run. If, on the contrary, the run was then known as Swift Creek Swamp, and the bottom lands were distinguished from it as the low grounds of that swamp, then indeed, the call was for the run, and not for the low grounds. If each were- known by the same appellation, and indiscriminately called -Swift Creek Swamp, then there were two natural objects, either of which corresponded with the call of the grant, and which of these was intended, might and ought to be determined by-reference to other matters of description in the grant, or to extrinsic facts, rendering the one or the other more probable.\u201d\nAnd in Rowe v. Lumber Co., supra, in respect of the Watkins 50-acre tract, Walker, J., wrote for the Court: \u201cThe question raised in regard to this tract is as to its proper location, and this largely depends upon the determination of its first or beginning call . . .\u201d\nAnd further on in the opinion in this same case, the Court said: \u201cBut the plaintiffs contend that the third call, which is Thence said (Old Field) branch to Catskin,\u2019 should stop at the edge of the swamp, or, at least, that the matter should be left to the jury so that they can determine what is meant by \u2018Catskin,\u2019 \u2014 that is, whether the edge or the run of the swamp was intended. The defendant insists that the call should go to the run, but if, as a matter of law, the run is not called for, then the jury should decide as a matter of fact where the end of this line should he. We cannot say that either the edge of the swamp or the run is the objective swamp, but it should be submitted to the jury to ascertain, upon the evidence and under the instructions of the court, where the end of the third line or the fourth corner of the tract is, and then a line should he run from this corner according to the call of the deed to the first station. It will he seen, therefore, that the true location of this tract is to be determined by the same general principle which was applied in the case of the 64-acre tract. When the call is at all ambiguous or uncertain it is always a question of fact for the jury to decide what was meant, and to fix the boundaries according to what they may find from the evidence, under -the law as given to them by the court, was the real intention of the parties to the deed.\u201d And in respect to the 64-acre tract \u2014 the -court declared: \u201cWe still adhere to the doctrine so well stated by Gaston, J., in Brooks v. Britt, supra, that where a swamp is called for, whether the run is in the boggy and sunken land, or the margin of such boggy: .and .sunken land, is the call of the grant,, depends \u2018upon facts .fit .to be.proved and proper to be passed upon by the jury.\u2019\u201d\nTesting the portions of the charge under consideration and the itilings in respect of the deleted portions' of requested instructions, by the exceptions thereto, it appears that both the charge and the rulings , aje in substantial accord with the principles, of- law on which the case: was decided on former appeal. These-principies-therefore constitute-'the law of the case, \u2014 and are binding on this appeal. ' ' :\nAll. other exceptions have.be.en considered and in them no prejudicial error is made to appear.\nHence-in the judgment on-the verdict-, we find.\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "Winborne, J.." } ], "attorneys": [ "H. S. Ward for plaintiffs, appellants.", "J. A. Pritchett and F. T. Dupree, Jr., for defendants, appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "L. B. CHERRY and JOANNA RAYNOR v. J. E. ANDREWS and MARY W. GODDARD.\n(Filed 14 December, 1949.)\n1. Appeal and Error \u00a7 51a\u2014\nThe determination on a former appeal that exceptions taken to the report of the referee and tender of issue thereon made by defendant was a sufficient compliance with the rules to entitle him to a jury trial, precludes the matter, and plaintiff\u2019s motion upon the subsequent trial for judgment on the referee\u2019s report and objection to the submission of the issue tendered are properly overruled.\n2. Reference \u00a7 14d\u2014\nThe findings of fact and conclusions of law of the referee are not competent as evidence in the trial of the issue raised by exceptions to the report. G.S. 1-189.\n3. Trial \u00a7 36\u2014\nWhere the issues submitted present to the jury all proper inquiry as to all determinative facts in dispute, and afford the parties opportunity to introduce all pertinent evidence and to apply it fairly, they are sufficient, and exceptions thereto will not be sustained.\n4. Boundaries \u00a7 3b\u2014\nWhere a call in plaintiff\u2019s deed is down a branch to a swamp then up said swamp, the question of whether the call runs to the edge of the swamp or further into the swamp to its thread is a question of fact for the determination of the jury from all attendant evidence, and exceptions to the charge which fairly and correctly submits this question to the jury and exceptions to the refusal to give requested instructions to the effect that as a matter of law the call would take the line to the thread of the swamp, cannot be sustained.\n5. Appeal and Error \u00a7 51a\u2014\nPrinciples of law enunciated on a former appeal become the law of the ease, and exceptions to the charge and rulings of the court upon the subsequent trial in substantial accord, with such principles will not be sustained.\nAppeal by plaintiffs from Bone, J., at February Term, 1949, of Bertie.\nCivil action to recover land, and for damages on account of trespass thereon.\nThis case was here on former appeal, 229 N.C. 333, 49 S.E. 2d 641, where the facts pertinent thereto are stated. However, in the light of the record, as it now appears, we deem it expedient to recount the case in pertinent aspects.\nPlaintiffs allege in their complaint that they are the owners in fee' simple of two certain specifically described tracts of land in Windsor Township, Bertie County, North Carolina, \u2014 the boundaries of the second tract only are controverted.\nDefendants, answering the allegation of ownership of the land described in the complaint, admit that \u201cthe plaintiffs own title to the Benjamin Raynor lands, which are more particularly described in the Benjamin Raynor land division of record in Book 172, at page 126, et al, Bertie County Public Registry\u201d; and they aver \u201cthat the eastern boundary of said land begins at a marked gum tree on or near the banks of Cashie River, and extends a northerly direction from said marked gum tree, and the southern boundary line of said land runs from said marked gum tree north 85 deg. west 36% poles; then north 70 deg. 30 min. west 16 poles a chopped beech tree, all as designated on the plat of Benjamin Raynor land division and which said line adjoins the Watson Tayloe heirs land ...\u201d\nAnd upon the hearing before the referee, plaintiffs offered evidence in pertinent part, substantially as follows:\n1. The admission of defendants, as above stated, that is, that \u201cplaintiffs own title to the Benjamin Raynor lands . . .\u201d\n2. A deed from Jonathan S. Tayloe to Watson Tayloe, dated 20 September, 1869, Book NN, page 250, description reading as follows:\n\u201cBeginning at a ditch across the road leading from James Duers to the old mill across Chiskey, James Duers\u2019 line; then down said ditch and branch James Duers\u2019 line, to a large gum, said Duers\u2019 corner; thence continuing down said branch until it intersects another branch a short distance above the crossing place in traveling to the Old Chiskey Mill seat; thence continuing down said last named branch a part of which is ditched to a large dead cypress tree standing about 30 yards from the field fence; thence continuing nearly parallel with the fence through the swamp to the Main Run of Cashie River; thence up the Main Run of Cashie to where the Main Run of Chiskey enters into Cashie; thence up Chiskey run to the Old Mill seat, continuing from thence to James Duers\u2019 line, following his line to the road, including a small piece of land on which Abram Phelps resides; thence along the road to the Beginning, containing 200 acres more or less.\u201d And plaintiff offered testimony tending to show that the description in this deed covers the land now in controversy.\nPlaintiff also offered two deeds from Watson Tayloe to Benjamin Raynor, one in 1878 for 100 acres of land, and the other in 1886 for 50 acres of land, and offered evidence tending to show that the land conveyed by these two deeds are parts of the tract obtained by Watson Tayloe from Jonathan Tayloe, as above set forth; and that the description in the older deed runs \u201cto the run of Cashie Swamp; thence up the run to the run of Chiskey Branch.\u201d\nAnd plaintiff also offered in evidence a mortgage deed from Watson Tayloe and wife to William J. Myers, dated 18 March, 1890, registered in Book 68, page 244, the description being the same as the second tract in the complaint, and is as follows:\n\u201cBeginning at the Benjamin Raynor back gate on the path leading to where Watson Tayloe now resides, and running said path to the branch; thence down the branch to Cashie Swamp; thence up said swamp to Benjamin Raynor\u2019s line; thence up said line to the Beginning, containing 150 acres, more or less, being a part of the Joanna S. Tayloe land.\u201d\nAnd also a deed from William J. Myers, mortgagee, and John Hughes to Benjamin Raynor, dated 9 February, 1892, registered in Book 99, page 387, in which the recitals are that \u201cWilliam Myers sold under power; John Hughes bought; assigned his bid to Benjamin Raynor\u201d \u2014 the description being the same as in the mortgage deed from Watson Tayloe to William J. Myers, registered in Book 68, at page 244, as above set forth. (And it is the contention of plaintiffs that the description in the mortgage covers the then unsold portion of the tract of land Jonathan Tayloe conveyed to Watson Tayloe as described above.)\nAnd plaintiff also offered testimony tending to show that the land described in the said mortgage adjoins and lies south of the land described in the first deed from Watson Tayloe to Benjamin Raynor as above set forth.\nAnd the plaintiff offered testimony tending to show that the branch referred to in the call \u201cthence down the branch to Cashie Swamp\u201d extended from the highlands through the swamp land into the run of the swamp or Cashie River. Defendants offered evidence .to the contrary.\nThe referee, in his report, finds as facts, among other things : \u201cFourth: That the lands in controversy in this action are swamp lands . . . That there is a well defined line of demarcation between the high land and the swamp land, being as high in some places as ten feet.\n\u201cFifth: That there is some appreciable physical evidence of a branch extending from said point A (in red) to the run of Cashie Swamp; That the call in the aforesaid mortgage deed, Book 68, page 244, Thence down the branch to Cashie Swamp\u2019 has as its northern terminus the run of Cashie Swamp; and the call of boundary in said mortgage deed Thence up said swamp\u2019 etc., is the run of said Cashie Swamp . . .\n\u201cNinth: That the true dividing line between the lands of the plaintiffs and the said Mrs. Gladys W. Tayloe, under whom defendants claim, is the projection in a straight line of the eastern boundary of the aforesaid Lot No. 5 to the run of Cashie Swamp, and thence in a general northern direction along the run of Cashie Swamp.\u201d\nAnd the referee made his conclusions of law in keeping with such findings of fact.\nDefendants filed exceptions Nos. 3, 4 and 8 to tbe 4th, 5th and 9th findings of fact, respectively, and tendered this issue.\n\u201c1. Are the plaintiffs the owners of and entitled to the possession of lands lying east of a line extending from a marked gum tree north 85 deg. west 36% poles; north 70 deg. 30 min. west 16 poles to a chopped beech tree and situate between the highwater mark of Cashie Swamp and the run of Cashie Swamp\u201d? as being particularly raised by defendant\u2019s exceptions 3, 4 and 8.\nPlaintiffs thereafter moved the Superior Court (1) to overrule the exceptions of defendants, and (2) for judgment confirming the report. The motions were overruled, and plaintiff excepted.\nAnd when the ease came on for hearing at May Term, 1948, as stated in opinion on former appeal, the trial court entered judgment as of nonsuit, predicated upon the premises that \u201ccounsel for plaintiffs admitted in court that if the description in the deed from Myers, mortgagee, to Benjamin Raynor does not extend from red letter \u2018A\u2019 on the map sent by the referee with the report, on to the run of Cashie Swamp the plaintiffs could not recover . . . and it being admitted by parties plaintiff and defendants that Cashie River is a non-navigable stream, and the court having considered the report, exceptions and the evidence bearing upon the sole question involved as to the proper location of plaintiffs\u2019 lines, and the court being of the opinion upon the record and admissions made in court that plaintiffs are not entitled to recover.\u201d\nAnd plaintiffs in their brief filed on the appeal to this Court, presented as \u201cQuestions Involved\u201d these two: \u201c1. Whether the line of the deed from Myers, mortgagee, to Ben Raynor, \u2018thence down the branch to Cashie Swamp,\u2019 stops at the edge of the swamp as shown by red \u2018A\u2019 on the division map, or goes to the run of Cashie Swamp (Exceptions 2, p. 21, and 3, p. 29) ; and\n\u201c2. Whether the exceptions filed by defendants to the report of the referee conforms to positive statutory requirements and decisions of this Court. (Exception No. 1, R. p. 20.)\u201d\nThe decision of this Court, reported in 229 N.O. 333, 49 S.E. 2d 641, was (1) \u201cthat whether the call \u2018thence down the branch to Cashie Swamp\u2019 terminates at the edge of the swamp or extends on to the run of it, involves a matter of fact to be found by the jury upon the evidence offered\u201d; and (2) that \u201ctesting the exceptions to the referee\u2019s report filed by defendants, and their tender of issues by rules of procedure for preserving right to jury trial in 'a compulsory reference case, as enunciated in decisions of this Court, it appears that they meet the requirements sufficiently to withstand successful attack.\u201d For error pointed out the judgment of nonsuit was reversed.\nThe record now before us on this appeal shows that when the case was called for trial r\n1. Plaintiffs moved for judgment on the report of the referee. Motion overruled. Exception.\n2. Plaintiffs objected specifically to the first issue tendered, which issue was amended on motion of defendants, substituting the word \u201csouth\u201d for the word \u201ceast,\u201d as appeared in the original exceptions, \u2014 objection being based on the ground that the issue did not arise from the findings of the referee and the pleadings. Overruled. Exception.\nThe case was thereupon submitted to the jury upon the evidence offered by the parties on the hearing before the referee, and under the charge of the court, and on the issue quoted above, to which the jury answered \u201cNo.\u201d\nPlaintiffs requested certain special instructions to the jury. The court gave them in modified form, to which plaintiffs excepted.\nAnd from judgment for defendants plaintiffs appeal to Supreme Court and assign error.\nH. S. Ward for plaintiffs, appellants.\nJ. A. Pritchett and F. T. Dupree, Jr., for defendants, appellees." }, "file_name": "0261-01", "first_page_order": 311, "last_page_order": 319 }