Willamette Steam Mills Lumbering & Manufacturing Co. v. Los Angeles College Co.

Action for the foreclosure of several mechanics’ liens.

The Los Angeles College Company entered into an agreement with W. E. Lane, bearing date September 8, 1887, for the erection of a college building for the sum of twenty-three thousand dollars, but the agreement -was not executed until October 6th, on which latter day it was filed in the office of the county recorder for Los Angeles County. The document then filed made reference to certain drawings and specifications as “hereunto annexed,” but they were not filed in the recorder’s office. Lane entered upon the performance of the contract, but .abandoned it March 6, 1888, and thereupon the college company took possession of the premises, occupied and used the same continuously thereafter, and caused the building to be completed on the 21st of April. At various dates, the earliest being March 19th, and the latest May 8tb, claims for mechanics’ liens were filed by the respective respondents herein, and afterwards eight sep *232 arate actions were commenced, for their enforcement. When the causes came on for trial, the court made an order that they be consolidated, and their trial was had under such order, but the court made…