Bates v. Ransome-Crummey Co.

Amy Bates and ten other property owners sued the Ransome-Crummey Co., a corporation, and Louis Lightston, treasurer of the city of San Jose, to quiet title to their respective properties and for an injunction restraining the defendants from interfering with the plaintiffs’ properties or asserting any interest therein or lien thereon. Louis Lightston, as treasurer, filed a disclaimer. The Ransome-Crummey Co. answered, and by way of cross-complaint sought to establish the lien of a street assessment and the validity of bonds issued to represent the assessments on the respective parcels of land of the plaintiffs. After answer to the cross-complaint, the case was tried, findings responsive to the issues of fact were signed, and as a conclusion of law therefrom the court determined the plaintiffs were entitled to a judgment and decree quieting their titles. The appeal by the defendants is from the judgment entered pursuant to the decision.

At the outset the court is met with the claim on the part of the respondents that the appeal was not taken in time. If this claim is well founded in law this court has no jurisdiction of the appeal and cannot consider any error claimed to have been…