Opinion
8 Div. 818.
June 16, 1938.
Appeal from Circuit Court, Marshall County; A. E. Hawkins, Judge.
Brown Conway, of Albertville, for appellant.
Complainant's bill is within the influence of §§ 9331-9334, Ala. Code 1928. On the allegations made complainant was entitled to relief prayed, and the claims of all parties could have been determined. Sandlin v. Anders, 210 Ala. 396, 98 So. 299; Marshall v. Rogers, 230 Ala. 305, 160 So. 865; Strange v. King, 228 Ala. 511, 154 So. 115.
D. Isbell, of Guntersville, for appellees.
The facts alleged in the bill are not sufficient allegations of fraud to set aside the deed. Noel v. Noel, 225 Ala. 302, 143 So. 469; Harris v. Nichols, 223 Ala. 58, 134 So. 798; McDonald v. Pearson, 114 Ala. 630, 21 So. 534; Hyman v. Langston, 210 Ala. 509, 98 So. 564. The bill fails to show complainant was in possession, that no suit was pending to test the title, but, on the contrary, shows complainant had made a valid conveyance of her interest. It is not sufficient as a bill to quiet title or remove a cloud on title. Code 1923, §§ 9905, 9906; Central of Ga. R. Co. v. Rouse, 176 Ala. 138, 57 So. 706; Rosebrook v. Baker, 151 Ala. 180, 44 So. 198; Burgin v. Hodge, 207 Ala. 315, 93 So. 27. Having conveyed her interest complainant is not a joint owner and cannot have a sale for division. Code, §§ 9303, 9322. A bill seeking relief under different aspects, theories, and alternatives must be good as to each alternative. Atlantic C. L. R. Co. v. Woolfolk, 178 Ala. 190, 59 So. 633; Henry v. Tennessee Live Stock Co., 164 Ala. 376, 50 So. 1029; Boutwell v. Spurlin Merc. Co., 203 Ala. 482, 83 So. 481. A decree sustaining demurrer is referable to the good grounds of the demurrer. Birmingham R., L. P. Co. v. Barranco, 203 Ala. 639, 84 So. 839; Baker v. Graves, 101 Ala. 247, 13 So. 275; Steiner v. Parker Co., 108 Ala. 357, 19 So. 386; Tatum v. Tatum, 111 Ala. 209, 20 So. 341; McDonald v. Pearson, 114 Ala. 630, 21 So. 534.
Demurrer was sustained to the several phases of the bill, asking that a vendor's lien be established or enforced against the land in favor of the complainant and asking to have the property sold for division among joint tenants, as provided by the statutes. Code, Sections 9303 and 9322. The appeal was prosecuted from such ruling.
The rule that prevails in this state is that where there are several grounds of demurrer some of which are sufficient and others insufficient, the judgment sustaining demurrer being general, the ruling is referred to the ground that is well taken. Birmingham Ry., Light Power Co. v. Barranco, 203 Ala. 639, 84 So. 839.
The construction of Section 9334 of the Code (Michie) contained in Strange v. King, 228 Ala. 511, 154 So. 115; Sandlin v. Anders, 210 Ala. 396, 98 So. 299; Marshall v. Rogers, 230 Ala. 305, 160 So. 865, is to the effect that in partition suits of lands by metes and bounds, or by sale for division when the same cannot be equitably divided among the owners, if the defendant denies the title of the complainant, or asserts an adverse claim or title in himself, such bill need not be dismissed, but the trial court may direct the issue as to the title of the complainant, or as to such adverse claim or title, to be tried as other issues of fact are tried, and as provided by the statute; and if neither party demands a jury, the court shall try such issues as to the title of the complainant or as to such adverse claim or title of defendant, together with other facts or issues of the case and render judgment accordingly. Betts et al. v. Ward, 196 Ala. 248, 249, 72 So. 110; Mertie Cotton v. Janie Cotton et al., Ala. Sup., 183 So. 442; Sandlin v. Anders, supra.
Post, p. 459.
We have examined the original bill and demurrers directed thereto, and hold that the same are not well taken to either phase of that pleading. The judgment of the circuit court is, therefore, reversed and the cause is remanded.
Reversed and remanded.
All the Justices concur.