Winans

This is a proceeding in eminent domain brought by the county of Los Angeles to acquire lands upon which to construct a hall of records. Interlocutory decree and final order or judgment of condemnation were entered in favor of plaintiff. By the former the court, besides finding the value of the premises condemned, ascertained and adjudged the rights of the respective defendants in the property and apportioned among them the sum, decreed to represent the value of the property condemned.

Separate appeals were taken by each of the appellants Winans, Cole, Anderson and Joyce from the final judgment,. from the interlocutory judgment, and from the orders denying their respective motions to vacate and set aside certain findings, and their motions for a new trial. No objection is made to the value of the property fixed by the court, but its apportionment among the various defendants is questioned.

On June 27, 1881, J. E. Hollenbeck, who was the owner in fee simple of all the lands affected by this proceeding, executed a deed conveying said lands to Mrs. Emma Means “for and during the term of her natural life and upon her death to the heirs of her body”; the habendum clause of said deed…