Sowers v. Illinois Central Gulf Railroad

The plaintiffs filed the instant quiet title action seeking a declaration that certain deeds to a railroad company, the defendant’s predecessor in title, conveyed an easement only, which had been terminated by abandonment. The trial court granted judgment on the pleadings for the defendant railroad, finding that the deeds conveyed fee simple title to the property in question. On appeal by the plaintiffs, we affirm.

In about 1877 the Grayville & Mattoon Railroad Company built a railroad in Jasper County which was later acquired by the defendant, Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Company. The…