Vogel v. Dawdy

The plaintiffs, Peter and Gerda Vogel, commenced an action in forcible entry and detainer on June 11, 1980, seeking possession of an 811-acre tract that they had sold to Jim and Caroline Dawdy on contract. Subsequent amendments to the complaint named as defendants Norwood and Barbara Ashley and Norman and Lula Mae Sutiles, who were subsequent purchasers of parcels subdivided by the Dawdys. The Dawdys and the Ashleys defaulted, and summary judgment was entered against them on April 25, 1983. They are not parties to the present appeal. The case against the Surtieses proceeded to a bench trial.…