___________________________________________________
Filed: December 11, 1992
David J. Romano
Gregory H. Shillace
Law Offices of David J. Romano
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Attorneys for the Appellant
Robert G. Steele
James L. Cole
Steptoe & Johnson
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Attorney for the Appellees
Donald R. McNemar and Judith A. McNemar
This Opinion was delivered PER CURIAM.
1. "Whether an easement is appurtenant or in gross is to
be determined by the intent of the parties as gathered from the
language employed, considered in the light of surrounding
circumstances." Syl. pt. 2, Post v. Bailey, 110 W. Va. 504, 159
S.E. 524 (1931).
2. "In such action [for forcible entry and detainer] the
plaintiff carries the burden of proof, and cannot prevail, unless,
by a preponderance of the evidence, he shows a possessory right
superior to that of the defendant." Syl. pt. 4, Wiles v. Walker,
88 W. Va. 147, 106 S.E. 423 (1921).
3. "'"A motion for summary judgment may only be granted
where there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the
moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law."
Syllabus point 2, Mandolidis v. Elkins Indus., Inc., 161 W. Va.
695, 246 S.E.2d 907 (1978).' Syllabus Point 3, Thomas v. Raleigh
General Hospital, 178 W. Va. 138, 358 S.E.2d 222 (1987)." Syl. pt.
4, Benson v. Kutsch, 181 W. Va. 1, 380 S.E.2d 36 (1989).
Per Curiam:
John M. Ratino appeals the August 2, 1991 order entered
by the Circuit Court of Harrison County granting summary judgment
in favor of Donald R. McNemar and his wife, Judith A. McNemar. Mr.
Ratino, the appellant, had previously filed a complaint against Mr.
and Mrs. McNemar, the appellees,See footnote 1 contending that they had
committed "unlawful detainer" of a right-of-way claimed by the
appellant across the property of appellees in violation of
W. Va.Code, 55-3-1 [1923].See footnote 2 The trial court found that no genuine
issue of material fact was presented, and, as a matter of law, the
appellees were entitled to judgment in their favor.
The appellant and appellees own adjoining tracts of land
in Harrison County. This case arises from a controversy
surrounding the granting of a right-of-way by the appellees'
predecessors in title to the appellant's predecessor in title in
1906. The 1906 grant was stated as follows:
The said parties of the first part [the
appellees' predecessors in title] grant to the
said party of the second part [the appellant's
predecessors in title] a right of ingress and
egress from the Fairmont turnpike through
their land by the same route that is now used
to his land. With the understanding that
there is to be no sawmilling or lumbering or
hauling for oil wells machinery or fixtures
for gas wells or anything else outside of
regular farm purposes, and the party of the
second part is to help keep up road and bridge
from the Fairmont turnpike to said land of
second party; to be used only as a family
right of way with the understanding that hay,
straw and coal is to be hauled when the ground
is dry enough to not cut ditches in the field
or when it is frozen hard enough to not cut
in. This will no longer hold good if the
second party injures any stock of the first
parties.
This grant was specifically included in each conveyance in the
appellant's chain of title.
The appellant purchased his property in 1987. The
appellees have owned their property since 1979. About the time of
the appellant's purchase, he visited the appellees and informed
them of the alleged right-of-way and asserted his intent to make
use of it. The appellees denied the existence of a right-of-way
and prevented the appellant from entering upon their property.
After the appellees' refusal of access to the alleged
right-of-way, the appellant wrote and informed the appellees that,
unless he was allowed usage of the alleged right-of-way, he would
construct an alternate route to his property, by-passing the
appellees' property. He demanded permission to use the alleged
right-of-way "within twenty-four hours," and asserted that failure
to allow usage of the alleged right-of-way would force him to
"institute measures to recover damages."See footnote 3 Thereafter, in May of
1989, the appellant filed the complaint in this action in the
Circuit Court of Harrison County.
In April of 1991, the appellees filed their motion for
summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56 of the W. Va. R. Civ. P. In
their complaint, the appellees argued that the appellant's
assertion of "unlawful detainer" was inappropriate because: (1) it
should have been brought in magistrate court pursuant to W. Va.
Code, 50-2-1 [1985],See footnote 4 and (2) that "unlawful detainer" actions are
only brought in landlord/tenant disputes.
The appellees also argued that, as a matter of law, no
right-of-way existed upon their property. They contended that the
deed granting the right-of-way is unambiguous and clearly granted
only a right of personal use in the original grantee and his
family.
The summary judgment motion was orally argued before the
trial court on June 24, 1991. After hearing argument from counsel
for both the appellant and appellees, the trial court granted the
appellees' motion for summary judgment. The trial court stated:
"I think that no reasonable construction [of the 1906 deed granting
the right of way] could be construed of that language [in the 1906
deed to mean that the right-of-way was to pass with the land] and
as a matter of law no right of way exists. Also on the grounds of
the unlawful detainer is inappropriate [I am ruling against the
appellant] and I am granting the [appellees'] motion for summary
judgement." This appeal followed.
Upon appeal to this Court, the appellant contends that
the trial court erred in ruling that, as a matter of law, the 1906
deed did not create a right-of-way. The appellant also asserts
that an action for "unlawful detainer" may be brought under W. Va.
Code, 55-3-1 [1923] when any interest in property is detained. On
their behalf, the appellees contend that an action for "unlawful
detainer" under W. Va. Code, 55-3-1 [1923] may not be brought when
the property right involved is a right-of-way.
The trial court ruled, as a matter of law, that no right-of-way exists in favor of the appellant.See footnote 5 Because we find that this deed, on its face, lacks ambiguity and clearly does not confer more than a mere personal right-of-way upon the original grantee, we agree with the conclusion of the trial court.
We have stated in the syllabus of Mays v. Hogue, 163 W. Va. 746, 260 S.E.2d 291 (1979) that:
'If an easement granted be in its nature an appropriate and useful adjunct of the dominant estate conveyed, having in view the intention of the grantee as to the use of such estate, and there is nothing to show that the parties intended it as a mere personal right, it will be held to be an easement appurtenant to the dominant estate.' Syl. pt. 1, Jones v. Island Creek Coal Company, 79 W. Va. 532, 91 S.E. 391 (1917).
However, we have also stated in syllabus point 2 of Post v. Bailey,
110 W. Va. 504, 159 S.E. 524 (1931) that: "Whether an easement is
appurtenant or in gross is to be determined by the intent of the
parties as gathered from the language employed, considered in the
light of surrounding circumstances."
In this case the language of the deed granting the right-of-way is clear and requires no interpretation. The deed
unequivocally states that it is "to be used only as a family right
of way[.]" Mr. Ratino is clearly not a member of the family of the
grantee of the 1906 deed. Nor does he so assert.
Black's Law Dictionary 510 (6th ed. 1990) defines an
"easement in gross" as follows:
An easement in gross is not appurtenant
to any estate in land or does not belong to
any person by virtue of ownership of estate in
other land but is mere personal interest in or
right to use land of another; it is purely
personal and usually ends with death of
grantee.
(citation omitted). See also Holland v. Flanagan, 139 W. Va. 884,
81 S.E.2d 908 (1954). Because, on its face, the right-of-way
granted in the 1906 deed was clearly an easement in gross, and did
not attach to the land, the trial court did not err in holding
that, as a matter of law, no right-of-way existed for the benefit
of the appellant. However, as the following discussion reveals,
even if the right granted by the 1906 deed had been appurtenant,
and attached to the land, the appellant's action for unlawful
detainer would not lie.
The appellant sought to determine the existence of the right-of-way on the basis that the appellees unlawfully detained the alleged right-of-way in violation of W. Va.Code, 55-3-1 [1923]. W. Va. Code, 55-3-1 [1923] states, in pertinent part:
If any forcible or unlawful entry be made upon any land, building, structure, or any part thereof, or if, when the entry is lawful or peaceable, the tenant shall detain the possession of any land, building, structure, or any part thereof after his right has expired, without the consent of him who is entitled to the possession, the party so turned out of possession, no matter what right or title he had thereto, or the party against whom such possession is unlawfully detained, may, within three years after such forcible or unlawful entry, or such unlawful detainer, sue out of the clerk's office of the circuit court, or of any court of record empowered to try common-law actions, of the county in which the land, building, structure, or some part thereof may be[.]
The trial court specifically ruled that an action for unlawful
detainer was "inappropriate" in this case.
The appellant asserts that the words "no matter what
right or title he had thereto" in reference to the "party so turned
out of possession," (in W. Va. Code, 55-3-1 [1923]) extend to his
alleged right-of-way. To the contrary, the appellees assert that
an "unlawful detainer" action may not be brought by one who claims
a right-of-way, and argue that such an action may properly be
brought only by one asserting a possessory right or title.
In Feder v. Hager, 64 W. Va. 452, 454, 63 S.E. 285, 286
(1908), we described an action for unlawful detainer as follows:
"True it is that this action relates only to possession, and
determines only the right to possession. It does not settle or
adjudicate title." We have also stated the following in Duff v.
Good, 24 W. Va. 682 (1884): "The remedy by unlawful detainer is a
summary proceeding designed to protect the actual possession,
whether rightful or wrongful, against unlawful invasion and afford
speedy restitution." 24 W. Va. at 685. We went on to state that:
The owner or he who has the right to the
possession, if he acquires the possession
peaceably and without force, will not be
compelled by this action to restore the
possession to an actual occupant who has no
right to the possession--Olinger v. Shepherd,
12 Gratt. 462. The possession to which this
summary remedy applies is not confined to the
pedis positioSee footnote 6 or actual enclosure of the
occupant. It applies to any possession which
is sufficient to sustain an action of
trespass.See footnote 7
Id. at 685.
We have gone so far as to state that an action for
unlawful detainer is determinative only of a party's right to
possession of disputed property. As we stated in Wiles v. Walker,
88 W. Va. 147, 150, 106 S.E. 423, 424 (1921):
The action of forcible entry and detainer
is solely possessory in nature. By it the one
instituting the proceedings seeks merely to
regain possession of land which he claims
another is wrongfully withholding from him.
The action does not permit or sanction a
binding investigation or finding as to the
true title or ownership of the property in
dispute.
(emphasis added). And in syllabus point 4 of Wiles we held that:
"In such action [for forcible entry and detainer] the plaintiff
carries the burden of proof, and cannot prevail, unless, by a
preponderance of the evidence, he shows a possessory right superior
to that of the defendant." Clearly, syllabus point 4 of Wiles
contemplates that one must present a superior possessory right to
prevail in an action for unlawful detainer of property.See footnote 8
Although we have not specifically addressed this issue,
our case law is consistent with holdings in other jurisdictions
where it has been held that an action for unlawful detainer may not
be brought by one who claims only a right-of-way on the property in
question. The Supreme Court of New Mexico has held that even where
a plaintiff alleges he is entitled to a right-of-way over property:
An action of ejectment or forcible entry
and detainer does not lie to enforce such a
right. Child v. Chappell, 9 N.Y. 246. It is
incorporeal, and, of course, could not be
delivered by the sheriff. An action on case
may be sustained for its obstruction, (Allen
v. Ormond, 8 East, 4,) or equity may be
invoked to restrain interference, but no
relief can be granted on the present form of
action.
1 P. 855, 856 (N.M. 1884). And in 1906, the Supreme Court of
Alabama noted the general rule that "neither ejectment nor forcible
entry and detainer will lie for an easement or by a plaintiff who
seeks to be let into the use or occupation of a servitude. An
ordinary right of way or of common is given as an illustration of
the principle." Moye v. Thurber, 40 S. 822, 824 (1906).See footnote 9 See also
Becher v. City of New York, 92 N.Y.S. 460 (N.Y. 1905); 35 Am. Jur.
2d 897 Forcible Entry and Detainer § 9.
In support of his argument in this case, the appellant
cites to this Court Lewis v. Welch Wholesale Flour & Feed Co., 90
W. Va. 471, 111 S.E. 158 (1922). In that case we described the
unlawful detainer statute of West Virginia as "very liberal." 90
W. Va. at 477, 111 S.E. at 160. However, it is clear that this
statement was in reference to a plaintiff's right to possession,
for we stated:
Our statute giving it [an action for unlawful
detainer] is very liberal. Any person against
whom possession of land is unlawfully
detained, no matter what his right or title
may be, can invoke it. Code, c. 89, § 1 (sec.
4065). It lies between lessees of the same
land, in favor of him who has superior right
of possession thereof. Guffy v. Hukill, 34 W.
Va. 49, 61, 11 S.E. 754, 8 L. R. A. 759, 26
Am. St. Rep. 901.
90 W. Va. at 477, 111 S.E. at 160.
It is abundantly clear from the foregoing that an action
for unlawful detainer may not be brought by one claiming a mere
nonexclusive right-of-way. As the appellant is in such a position,
we find no error in the trial court's conclusion that summary
judgment against the appellant was warranted in regard to the
action for unlawful detainer because such an action is
inappropriate in this case.
In syllabus point 4 of Benson v. Kutsch, 181 W. Va. 1, 380 S.E.2d 36 (1989), we stated:
'"A motion for summary judgment may only be granted where there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Syllabus point 2, Mandolidis v. Elkins Indus.,Inc., 161 W. Va. 695, 246 S.E.2d 907 (1978).' Syllabus Point 3, Thomas v. Raleigh General Hospital, [178] W. Va. [138], 358 S.E.2d 222 (1987).
In this case it is clear that no right-of-way exists in favor of
the appellant. Furthermore, the appellant has complained of
unlawful detainer, but has not alleged any facts under which an
action for unlawful detainer may lie. Therefore, no genuine issue
as to any material fact exists, and the appellees were
appropriately granted judgment as a matter of law.
Based upon the foregoing, the August 2, 1991 order of the
Circuit Court of Harrison County is affirmed.
Footnote: 1 The complaint was also filed against Charles M. Hart, but Mr. Hart was not a party to the summary judgment issues in this appeal. This case was then consolidated with a civil action styled Central Supply Co. of West Virginia v. John M. Ratino, Civil Action No. 88-C-AP-797-2, in May of 1990. That case also has no relevance to this decision.
Footnote: 2 The appellant also claimed the tort of "outrageous conduct" against the appellees, but dropped that allegation at the summary judgment proceeding.
Footnote: 3 The appellant's property was accessible from other routes apparently less convenient than the one provided for by the alleged right-of-way.
Footnote: 4 This assertion was not argued before this Court, nor was it addressed by the trial court. Therefore, we decline to address it as well. W. Va. Code, 50-2-1 was revised and amended in 1992.
Footnote: 5 This ruling was made orally at the summary judgment proceeding of June, 1991. In its August 1, 1991, written order granting summary judgment, the trial court gave no reasons for its order, stating simply: "The Court GRANTS [the appellees'] motion for summary judgment since the Court is of the opinion that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that those defendants are entitled to judgment as a matter of law."
Footnote: 6 Black's Law Dictionary (6th ed. 1990) defines pedis positio as follows: "In the civil and old English law, a putting or placing of the foot. A term used to denote the possession of lands by actual corporal entry upon them." Id. at 1132.
Footnote: 7 In this regard, it should be noted that an action for trespass is defined by W. Va. Code, 61-3B-1(8) (1978) as: "'Trespass' under this article is the willful unauthorized entry upon, in or under the property of another[.]" Clearly, in this case, the appellant could not sustain an action of trespass against the appellees.
Footnote: 8 Black's Law Dictionary 1163 (6th ed. 1990) defines "possession" as follows:
Possession. Having control over a thing with
the intent to have and to exercise such
control. Oswald v. Weigel, 219 Kan. 616, 549
P.2d 568, 569. The detention and control, or
the manual or ideal custody, of anything which
may be the subject of property, for one's use
and enjoyment, either as owner or as the
proprietor of a qualified right in it, and
either held personally or by another who
exercises it in one's place and name. Act or
state of possessing. That condition of facts
under which one can exercise his power over a
corporeal thing at his pleasure to the
exclusion of all other persons.
(emphasis added). Such a definition denies the inclusion of
incorporeal things, such as easements and rights-of-way, from
becoming subject to possession.
We also note that Black's Law Dictionary 1536 (6th ed.
1990) defines "unlawful detainer" as follows:
Unlawful detainer. The unjustifiable
retention of the possession of real property
by one whose original entry was lawful and of
right, but whose right to the possession has
terminated and who refuses to quit, as in the
case of a tenant holding over after the
termination of the lease and in spite of a
demand for possession by the landlord.
Brandley v. Lewis, 97 Utah 217, 92 P.2d 338,
339. Actions of 'unlawful detainer' concern
only right of possession of realty, and differ
from ejectment in that no ultimate question of
title or estate can be determined. McCracken
v. Wright, 159 Kan. 615, 157 P.2d 814, 817.
Footnote: 9 Moye also noted that one may bring an action for unlawful detainer when the use of a right-of-way is exclusive, as in the case of a railroad or toll road. This view is supported in Iron Mountain, Etc. R. R. Co. v. Johnson, 119 U. S. 608, 7 S. Ct. 339, 30 L. Ed. 504 (1887). In that case the Supreme Court of the United States expounded on "the general purpose" of forcible entry and detainer statutes:
The general purpose of these statutes is,
that, not regarding the actual condition of
the title to the property, where any person is
in the peaceable and quiet possession of it,
he shall not be turned out by the strong hand,
by force, by violence, or by terror. The
party so using force and acquiring possession
may have the superior title, or may have the
better right to the present possession, but
the policy of the law in this class of cases
is to prevent disturbances of the public
peace, to forbid any person righting himself
in a case of that kind by his own hand and by
violence, and to require that the party who
has in this manner obtained possession shall
restore it to the party from whom it has been
so obtained; and then, when the parties are in
status quo, or in the same position as they
were before the use of violence, the party out
of possession must resort to legal means to
obtain his possession, as he should have done
in the first instance. This is the philosophy
which lies at the foundation of all these
actions of forcible entry and detainer, which
are declared not to have relation to the
condition of the title, or to the absolute
right of possession, but to compelling the
party out of possession, who desires to
recover it of a person in the peaceable
possession, to respect and resort to the law
alone to obtain what he claims.
119 U. S. at 611, 7 S. Ct. at 340, 30 L. Ed. at 505.