Helvey

This is an action to quiet title to two quarter-sections of land in what is known as the Kettleman Plains, being partly in the county of Kings and partly in the county of Fresno. The surrounding country is sparsely settled and this land, together with large tracts of land around it, has been used for many years only for the purpose of pasturing stock. Patents covering the two parcels were issued by the United States to Edward B. Perrin in 1908. Beginning in 1909 and continuing to 1917 one S. C. Lillis, as lessor, leased the land each year to a tenant for pasturage purposes. On January 17, 1918, a decree of distribution was entered in the estate of S. C. Lillis, distributing the property to Lucy E. Lillis and Helen C. Lillis, the decree, however, recognizing that H. H. Welsh had an interest in the property. On January 18, 1918, Lucy E. Lillis and Helen C. Lillis, by quitclaim deeds, conveyed a one-half interest in the land to H. H. Welsh. These deeds were recorded on May 20 and May 21, 1924, respectively. Under date of January 22, 1918, Lucy E. Lillis conveyed all her interest in the property to Helen C. Lillis, the deeds being recorded on January 31, 1918. On January 24, 1931, the…