Lewis v. Stephens

STOCKARD, Commissioner.

Plaintiffs have appealed from an adverse judgment in their suit to quiet title in them to certain real estate in Jasper County, Missouri. A statement of the background of this litigation is necessary to an understanding of the issues.

In December 1952 Joe D. Merrick, then a minor, purchased the property in question, which was a house and lot, from Billie J. Swiney and Ruby Irene Swiney for $4,500. Merrick made a down payment of $1,100 and paid certain expenses of the transaction. He paid the balance of the purchase price by executing a note in the amount of $3,400,…