{ "id": 4684842, "name": "W. D. M'BEE, Appellee, v. PAT O'CONNELL and MRS. PAT O'CONNELL, Appellants", "name_abbreviation": "M'Bee v. O'Connell", "decision_date": "1911-12-06", "docket_number": "No. 1397", "first_page": "469", "last_page": "475", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "16 N.M. 469" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M.", "id": 8835, "name": "Supreme Court of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "85 Pae. 67", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "case_ids": [ 2238137 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/or/48/0054-01" ] }, { "cite": "4 N. M. 149", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 3623304 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/4/0149-01" ] }, { "cite": "86 Pac. 985", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "13 N. M. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 4676399 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/13/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "3 N. M. 373", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "94 Pac. 557", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "case_ids": [ 8879689 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/okla/20/0294-01" ] }, { "cite": "9 N. M. 480", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2381898 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/9/0480-01" ] }, { "cite": "32 Pac. 1115", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "58 Pac. 946", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "14 Pac 338", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "95 Am. Dec. 788", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "Am. Dec.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "33 Miss. 192", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Miss.", "case_ids": [ 1652385 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/miss/33/0192-01" ] }, { "cite": "49 C. C. A. 180", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "C.C.A.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "7 N. M. 133", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 4660140 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/7/0133-01" ] }, { "cite": "5 N. M. 54", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 3624545 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/5/0054-01" ] }, { "cite": "55 Am. Dec. 330", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "Am. Dec.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "5 Peters 529", "category": "reporters:scotus_early", "reporter": "Pet.", "case_ids": [ 534506 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/us/30/0339-01" ] }, { "cite": "22 How. 256", "category": "reporters:scotus_early", "reporter": "How.", "case_ids": [ 1137346 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/us/63/0256-01" ] }, { "cite": "15 Cal. 321", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal.", "case_ids": [ 2259337 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/cal/15/0321-01" ] }, { "cite": "26 Pac. 821", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "6 Cal. 297", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal.", "case_ids": [ 2215556 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/cal/6/0297-01" ] }, { "cite": "12 Ohio 387", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ohio", "case_ids": [ 487780 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ohio/12/0388-01" ] }, { "cite": "47 Ky. 177", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ky.", "case_ids": [ 4441006 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ky/47/0177-01" ] }, { "cite": "11 N. M. 221", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 11271749 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/11/0221-01" ] }, { "cite": "53 Iowa 101", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Iowa", "case_ids": [ 2320386 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/iowa/53/0101-01" ] }, { "cite": "58 Fed. Rep. 452", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6734361 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/58/0452-01" ] }, { "cite": "83 Ill. 562", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2659969 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/83/0562-01" ] }, { "cite": "4 S. W. 644", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "68 Tex. 448", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Tex.", "case_ids": [ 2198832 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/tex/68/0448-01" ] }, { "cite": "11 N. M. 221", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 11271749 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/11/0221-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 820, "char_count": 13670, "ocr_confidence": 0.437, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.0900393022340404e-07, "percentile": 0.5654092188386273 }, "sha256": "6c9e1d1958f1860c76a9ac34cf60ca503b31f77142a0bdf182c1359e3916a535", "simhash": "1:7ccb478c16e73756", "word_count": 2390 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:45:46.026713+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Frank W. Parker, A. L, dissents." ], "parties": [ "W. D. M\u2019BEE, Appellee, v. PAT O'CONNELL and MRS. PAT O\u2019CONNELL, Appellants." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION OP THE COURT.\nABBOTT, J.\nOf the several errors assigned by tlie defendants, only two need be considered since they are decisive of the case. Indeed, one of them alone is, we think, conclusive, but the other is so connected with it, and of such importance that it cannot be properly disregarded. It i.s contended for the appellants that the executory contract on which the plaintiffs claim is based, is not an instrument entitled to record under Section 3953, C. L. 1897, as a \u201cwriting affecting the title to real estate.\u201d Strictly speaking, such a contract does not affect the title to real estate in the sense that.it affects a present chang'e in it, and it lias sometimes been held that such instruments were .not entitled to record unless under express statutory provision. Yol. 24, Am. & Eng. Enc. 80. But, while the language of Section 3953, supra, is, as above stated, \u201caffecting the title to real estate,\u201d yet, further on in the section the words, \u201cthe real estate affected,\u201d are used, and like expressions are found in other sections dealing with the subject, Sections 3931, 3943, 3944, 3945, 3947, 3952, 3953, 3964, 3968, 3969, 3970. Section 3953 uses both forms, and 3956 the former only. It seems probable therefore that the legislative intention was not to distinguish between \u201creal ^estate\u201d and the \u201ctitle to real estate,\u201d which are, in fact, quite different things, but to use the expression interchangeably, and give to the latter the broader meaning, which, perhaps, properly attaches to the former only, and thus to include the class of writings to which the contract in question belongs. In the brief for the appellants our attention is called to a case decided by this court, Early Times Distillery Co. v. Zeiger, 11 N. M. 221, in which the opposite view was expressed. The statement was in the nature of a dictum, and did not, we think, commit the court to that opinion of the law.\nStatutory provisions, similar to those here involved, have been given a broad construction by courts of high standing. Lewis v. Johnson, 68 Tex. 448, 4 S. W. 644, and cases cited; Morrison v. Brown, 83 Ill. 562; Minn. Land & Tim. Co. v. Ford, and cases cited, 58 Fed. Rep. 452 (Eighth Circuit, opinion by Sanborn, Justice). But even if it was in itself a writing within the scope of Section 3953, and the acknowledgement was sufficient in form, which the appellants denjq it must still be held that the contract was not, in the legal sense of the word, \u201crecorded.\u201d Yery early in the legislative history of the Territory provision was made for greater formality and certainty in the transfer of real estate. In 1852, it was enacted that \u201cAny person * * * holding any right or title to real estate * * * * may convey the same in the manner and subject to the restrictions prescribed in this act.\u201d That now appears in Section 3939, C. L. 1897. In the same act, where what now appear as Sections 3942 and 3943, is as follows: \u201cSection 3942. All conveyances of real estate shall be subscribed by the person transferring his title or interest in said real estate, or by his legal agent or attorney.\u201d Section 3943 : Every instrument in writing by which real estate is transferred or affected, in law or equity, shall be acknowledged and certified to in the manner hereinafter prescribed.\u201d Section 3943 has since been superseded by tire provisions in Chapter 62, of the Laws of 1901, infra. The sections 3953 and 3954 providing for record and making it constructive notice were enacted in 1887. Section 3955 was part of the same act, namely: \u201cFrom and after the 1st day of January, 1888, no deed, mortgage or other instrument in writing, not recorded in accordance with Section three thousand nine hundred and fifty-three, shall affect the title or rights to, in any real estate, of any purchase or mortgage in good faith, without knowledge of the existence of such unrecorded* instruments.\u201d In 1889, a form of acknowledgement was provided, by which the one making it declares the instrument acknowledged to be his or her \u201cfree act and deed,\u201d which simply carries out the meaning of the word \u201cacknowledgement.\u201d Yol. 1, A. & E. Enc., 507 . And by Chapter 62, Section 18, Acts of 1901, it was expressly provided that an unacknowledged instrument of writing, \u201cthough filed and placed of record,\u201d should not \u201cbe considered of record.\u201d It is obvious from these provisions, taken together, and, indeed, we do not understand it to be questioned by counsel for the appellee, that the person making a transfer of any right or interest in real estate, must acknowledge the instrument by which the transfer, is made, before an officer authorized by law to take such acknowledgements, and that until it has been so acknowledged it cannot lawfully be recorded. It is, however, claimed for the appellee that the acknowledgement by Ray appended to the assignment, included the contract, to which the assignment referred. But it was limited specifically and pointedly to the assignment, since it refers to Ra3^ as the one who executed the \u201ccontract and assignment\u201d and who \u201cacknowledged\u201d the \u201cassignment.\u201d And what right or power had Ray to make the acknowledgement, even if lie had attempted to do it? It was not his real es.tate to which the writing related. It has been held (Chicago etc. R. Co. v. Lewis, 53 Iowa 101) that both parties to a lease of real estate, containing mutual agreements, should acknowledge it; but it can hardly be that the one who is, by executory contract, to receive an interest in real estate, can acknowledge it as his \u201cfree act and deed.\u201d But, as we have seen, Ray did not undertake to do that. How, then, can it be said that the contract was recorded? It is obvious that something more than, merely copying the contents of a writing into the land record books is necessary to make it properly of record. Any writing picked up in the street might be so copied by any one who could get access to the books. The recording officer himself might spread upon the records by mistake, as we think happened in this case, a writing not entitled by law to record. There can be but one true test, and that is to be found in the terms of the law prescribing what may be recorded. An unacknowledged writing does not meet the test of our statute. If a writing not entitled to record, can be made of record, through including it by reference or a description in another instrument, which the maker can entitle to record, the way is open for fraudulent practices, a way to have recorded writings whose makers purposely refrained from acknowledging them, and meant not to have them recorded, a way, in fact, to nullify the safeguard which the provision for acknowledgement was meant to attach to the transfer of real estate. Such a conclusion is not required or warranted, we. think, by the statutory provisions on the subject to which we have referred.\nThe judgment of the District Court is reversed, and the cause remanded.\nFrank W. Parker, A. L, dissents.", "type": "majority", "author": "ABBOTT, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "C. L.\" Eeese for Appellant.", "B. E. Rowells for Appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "[No. 1397.\nDecember 6, 1911.]\nW. D. M\u2019BEE, Appellee, v. PAT O'CONNELL and MRS. PAT O\u2019CONNELL, Appellants.\nSYLLABUS (BY THE COURT).\n1. An acknowledgment o\u00ed a deed, or other writing, affecting real estate, by the party whose real estate is affected, in the manner established by statute, is a necessary prerequisite to its being recorded under Section 3953, C. L. 1897.\n2. An executory contract for the sale of real estate is, when duly executed and acknowledged, a writing entitled to record within the meaning of Section 3953, C. L. 1897.\n3. An acknowledgement of an assignment on the back of an executory contract for the sale of real estate \"to which the assignment refers for particulars and purposes of description is not, under the circumstances given in the following statement of the case, an acknowledgment of the contract itself; and although the contract was copied into.the land records by the proper recording officer, that did not make it of record, and thereby constructive notice to a subsequent purchaser having no actual knowledge of it.\nAppeal from the District Court for Curry County, before William H. Pope, Chief Justice.\nEcversccl and remanded.\nC. L.\" Eeese for Appellant.\nInstru\u00ed!)ent without proper acknowledgement is not entitled to be recorded. C. L. 1897, secs. 3953, 3955, 3945, 3947; Martindale v. Price, 14- Ind. 115; 1 A. & E. Enc,-2 ed. 540; 1 Cyc. 581; Early Times Distilling Co. v. Zeiger, 11 N. M. 221; Jacoway v. Gault, 73 Am. Dee. 494, Ark.; First National Bank v. Baker, 62 111. App. 154; Gill v. Fauntleroy, 47 Ky. 177; Boss v. McLung, XJ. S. L. ed. 4-00; Meddock v. Williams, 12 Ohio 387.\n\u25a0Executory contracts for sale of real estate are not entitled to be placed of record. C. L. 1897, secs. 3953, 3955; Early Times Distilling Co. v. Zeiger, 11 N. M. 221; 24 A. & E. Enc. Law, 2 ed. 81; Mesiek v. Sanderland, 6 Cal. 297.\nPartnership. 22 A. & E. Enc., 2 ed. 177; Bocky Mountain National Bank v. McCaskill, 26 Pac. 821, Colo.; McGahon et al v. National Bank of RonJout, 39 L. ed. U. S. 403; Williams v. Bowers, 15 Cal. 321; Kimo v. Bullitt, 22 How. 256, 16 L. ed. 313, H. S.; Wjiinship v. Bank, 5 Peters 529, IT. S.\nAgent need not have written authority to make written contract for his principal unless the contract is required to be under seal. 31 Cyc'. 1227; Wjorrall v. Munn, 55 Am. Dec. 330, N. Y.; Antrim Iron Works v. Anderson, 112 Am. Bop. 434-, Mich.; Jasper v. Wilson. 14- N. M. 482; Kird v. Hamilton. 102 H. S. 68.\nPlaintiff in ejectment must have a legal title to recover against a defendant in possession under color of title. Salazar v. Longville, 5 N. M. 54-8; Maxwell Land Grant Co. v. Dawson, 7 N. M. 133; Deas v. Sammons, 7 A. & E. Ann. Cases 1124; 15 Cyc. 18,, 64; Hockett v. Alston, 49 C. C. A. 180; Carter v. Ruddy, 166 IT. S. 493; Moody v. Farr\u2019s Lessee, 33 Miss. 192.\nVariance between allegations and proof. Huntington v. Jewett, 95 Am. Dec. 788, Iowa; 15 Cyc. 115; Seaton v. Son, 32. Cal. 481;.Tarply v. Desert Salt Co., 14 Pac 338.\nB. E. Rowells for Appellee.\nContract was entitled to record. C. L. 1897, secs. '3952, 2954, 3945, 3947; Garton et ux. v. Hudson Kimberly Pub. Co., 58 Pac. 946; McCormick v. James, 36 'Fed. Bep. 14.\nSubstantial compliance with form of acknowledgement prescribed in C. L. 1897, sec. 3945, is all that is necessary. McCormick v. James, 36 Fed. Bep. 14; Iinse v. xkmes,. 15 S. AY. 965; Hughes v. Powers, 42 S. AY. 1; Early Times Distilling Co. t. Zeiger, 11 N. M. 221; Gill v. Fauntleroy, 47 l\\y. 177; Eoss v. McLung, 8 L. ed. 400, TJ. S.\nEjectment. Laws 1907, chap. 107; C. L. 1897, secs. 3160-3164, 3168, 3169; Jones v. Hollister, 32 Pac. 1115, Kas.; Solomon, v. Yrisarri, 9 N. M. 480; Jennings v. Brown, 94 Pac. 557; Probst v. Trustees, 3 N. M. 373; Harrison v. Gallegos, 13 N. M. 1; Duendro v. O\u2019Hara, 86 Pac. 985, Cal.; Deemer v. Falkenburg, 4 N. M. 149; Coles v. Meskeman, 85 Pae. 67, Ore.\nSTATEMENT OF THE CASE.\nThis is an action in ejectment in which the plaintiff seeks to recover from the defendants possession of certain land, in Clovis, Curry County, with damages for its detention. In his complaint, the plaintiff alleged that he was the owner in fee of the real estate in question and that lie had \u201cthe legal estate in fee simple and the equitable estate in and to\u201d the same, and that on or about September 1, 1908, the defendants wrongfully entered and ousted him from the premises and \u201cstill unlawfully withhold possession from him.\u201d The plaintiff\u2019s' claim of ownership is based on an executory contract of sale and purchase of the land in question between the Santa Fe Land Improvement Company and J. M. Barn made June 27, 1907, and an \u201cassignment\u201d by Bay to, the plaintiff made October 3, 1907. By the agreement the Company named undertook to convey the real estate to Bay by a warranty deed within a specified time after performance by him of the terms of the agreement on his part. At the time of the assignment above named, the timo for performance had not expired.\nThe assignment, it would seem, was written on the bau- wf the contract referred to and does not purport to be an assignment of the contract itself, but instead of \u201call right, title, interest and claim in. and to the within described lot or parcel of land\u201d to the plaintiff, and an authorization to the Improvement Company to make conveyance to him on performance of the requirements of the contract. A certificate of acknowledgement was appended in these words:\n\u201cTerritory of New Mexico, Boosevelt County. \u2014 ss.\n\u201cBefore me, the undersigned, a notary public in and for said County and-this day came J. M. Bay, who is personally known to me to be the same person who acknowledged the within contract, and the foregoing assignment thereof, and he duly acknowledged the execution of said assignment.\n\u201cGiven under my hand and seal, this 3rd day of October, A. D. 1907. , Commission expires June 11, 1911. (Signed) John D. Cameron. (Seal).\u201d\nThe assignment was endorsed by the proper officer as received for record December 3, 1907, and it, together with the contract, itself was copied into the county land records as of that date. There was no evidence that the defendants had actual knowledge of either the contract or the assignment. They claimed by subsequent purchase from J. M. Bay. The trial court held,: \u201cThe defendants bought subject to the plaintiff's rights since the contracts under which the latter held and the assignment of the same were duly recorded. These affected real 'estate, were properly recorded under C. L. 3652-4, and thus carried legal notice to subsequent purchasers. The decree will accordingly go for plaintiff.\u201d And judgment was entered accordingly. From that judgment'the defendants appeal to this court." }, "file_name": "0469-01", "first_page_order": 543, "last_page_order": 549 }