Skinner v. McCrackan

Citations

• 93 Wash. 43
• 159 P. 977

Syllabus

<p>Ejectment — Betterments—Statutes—Adverse Possession — Government Land. In ejectment, there can be no allowance for betterments placed on the land while the title was in the United States, under Rem. 1915 Code, § 797, authorizing a counterclaim for the value of permanent improvements made and taxes paid by a defendant holding in good faith under color or claim of title adversely to the claim of plaintiff; since there can be no adverse holding against the United States.</p> <p>Same — Betterments—Taxes—Improvements. Such act authorizes a counterclaim for taxes paid which became a lien on the land subsequent to the issuance of a patent therefor; and for a pipe line which was a permanent improvement to the land.</p> <p>Appeal — Review—Findings. Findings upon conflicting evidence will not be disturbed upon appeal where the trial court was in the better position to determine the facts.</p>