City of Birmingham v. Reid

ANDERSON, Chief Justice.

The bill of complaint charges that the appellee was the “owner” of the land as does the condemnation proceeding of the appellant, made an exhibit to the bill of complaint. While the word “owner” is not a technical term, but one of wide application, yet when applied to land usually and prima facie refers to a fee simple title, not a qualified or limited estate. Phillips v. Hardenburg, 181 Mo. 463, 80 S.W. 891; Slater Trust Co. v. Randolph-Macon Coal Co., C.C., 166 F. 171; People v. Bennett Medical College, 248 Ill. 608, 94 N.E. 110, 140 Am.St.Rep. 237. The bill of…