USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 21
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DESCENTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY.
Property in this state shall be distributed in the following course, sub- ject to the payment of debts and the widow's dower:
First. To the children or their descendants in equal parts.
Second. If there be no children or their descendants, then to the father, mother, brothers and sisters, and their descendants, in equal parts.
Third. If there be no children, or their descendants, father, mother, brother or sister, or their descendants, then to the husband or wife. If there be no husband or wife, then to the grandfather, grandmother, uncles and aunts, and their descendants, in equal parts.
Fourth. If there be no children or their descendants, father, mother, sister, brother or their descendants, husband or wife, grandfather, grand- mother, uncles, aunts, nor their descendants, then to the great-grandfather, great-grandmother, and their descendants, in equal parts, and so on in other cases without end, passing to the nearest lineal ancestors and their children, and their descendants, in equal parts.
Posthumous children, or descendants of the intestate, shall inherit in like manner as if born in the lifetime of the intestate. This does not apply to anyone other than the children or descendants of the intestate unless they are in being and capable in law to take as heirs at the time of the intestate's death.
If there be no children or their descendants, father, mother, brother or sister, nor their descendants, husband or wife, nor any paternal or mater- nal kindred capable of inheriting, the whole shall go to the kindred of the wife or husband of the intestate in the like course as if such wife or hus- band had survived the intestate and then died entitled to the estate.
If any of the children receive any real or personal estate in the lifetime of the intestate by way of advancement, shall choose to come into par- tition with the other heirs, such advancement shall be brought into hatchpot with the estate descended.
Maintaining, educating, or giving money to a child under majority without any view to a portion or settlement, shall not be deemed an advancement.
Bastards shall inherit and be capable of transmitting inheritance on the part of their mother, and such mother may inherit from her bastard child or children in like manner as if they had been lawfully begotten of her.
The issues of all marriages decreed null in law or dissolved by divorce shall be legitimate.
Persons of color shall inherit as above set forth, providing it shall appear to the court that they are residents of this state, or if residents of some other state, are free persons.
The children of all parents who were slaves, and who were living
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together in good faith as man and wife at the time of the birth of such children, shall be deemed to be the legitimate children of such parents. All children of any one mother who was a slave at the time of her birth shall be deemed lawful brothers and sisters for the purposes of this chapter.
WILLS.
The term will, or last will and testament, means the disposition of one's property, to take effect after death. No exact form of words is neces- sary in order to make a will good at law.
Every person of twenty-one years of age and upward, of sound mind, may, by last will, devise all his estate, real, personal and mixed, and all interest therein, saving the widow her dower. Every person over the age of eighteen years, of sound mind, may by last will, dispose of his goods and chattles. Every will must be in writing, signed by the testator or by some person by his direction, in his presence, and shall be attested by two or more competent witnesses, subscribing their names to the will in the presence of the testator.
No will in writing, except in cases hereinafter mentioned, nor any part thereof, shall be revoked, except by a subsequent will in writing, or by burning, canceling, tearing or obliterating the same by the testator, or in his presence, and by his consent and direction.
If, after making a will disposing of the whole estate of the testator, such testator shall marry, and die, leaving issue by such marriage living at the time of his death, or shall leave issue of such marriage born to him after his death, such will shall be deemed revoked, unless provisions shall have been made for such issue by some settlement, or unless such issue shall be provided for in the will, and no evidence shall be received to rebut the presumption of such revocation.
A will executed by an unmarried woman shall be deemed revoked by her subsequent marriage.
If a person make his will and die leaving children not provided for, although born after making the will, he shall be deemed to die intestate, and such children shall be entitled to such proportion as if he had died intestate. All other heirs or legatees must refund their proportionate part.
The county court or clerk thereof in vacation subject to the confirma- tion or rejection of the court, shall take the proof of the last will of the testator.
GENERAL FORM OF WILL FOR REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. :
I, Richard Johnson, of Carroll county, in the state of Missouri, being of sound mind and memory, and of full age, do hereby make and publish this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
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First. I direct the payment of all lawful claims against my estate, to be made out of the proceeds of the sale of my personal property.
Second. I give, devise and bequeath to my eldest son, John B. Johnson, the sum of five thousand dollars of bank stock, in the First National Bank of Lexington, Missouri, and the farm owned by myself in the town- ship of -- , in the county of Saline, consisting of 100 acres, with all the houses, tenements and improvements thereunto belonging, to have and to hold unto my said son, his heirs and assigns forever.
Third. I give, devise, and bequeath to each of my daughters, Mary E. Johnson and Clara B. Johnson, each five thousand dollars in bank stock,. in the First National Bank, of Lexington, Missouri; and also, each one quarter section of land owned by myself, situated in the township of -, Ray county, Missouri.
Fourth. I give, devise and bequeath to my son, Frank R. Johnson, the farm owned by myself, situated in Chariton county, Missouri, consisting of six hundred and forty acres, together with all stock, houses, and improvements, thereunto belonging.
Fifth. I give to my wife, Elizabeth Johnson, all my household furni- ture, goods, chattels and personal property about my house, not hitherto disposed of, including six thousand dollars of bank stock, in the First National Bank of Lexington, Missouri, and the free and unrestricted use, possession and benefit of the home farm, so long as she may live-said farm being my present place of residence.
Sixth. I give and bequeath to my mother, Martha Johnson, the income from rents of my store building, at No. 905 Pine street, St. Louis, Mis- souri, during the term of her natural life, said building and land therewith to revert to my sons and daughters, in equal proportions, upon the demise of my said mother.
Seventh. It is also my will and desire that at the death of my wife, Eliz- abeth Johnson, that the above mentioned homestead may revert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each.
Eighth. I appoint as my executors of this, my last will and testament, my wife, Elizabeth Johnson, and my eldest son John B. Johnson.
In witness whereof, I, Richard Johnson, to this, my last will and testa- ment, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of June, eighteen hundred and seventy-five. RICHARD JOHNSON.
Signed and declared by Richard Richard Johnson, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names hereunto, as witnesses thereof.
EDWARD DAVISON, Sedalia, Missouri.
FREDERICK JONES, Marshall, Missouri.
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CODICIL.
Whereas, I, Richard Johnson, did, on the fourth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, make my last will and testa- ment, I do now, by this writing add this codicil to my said will, to be taken as part thereof.
Whereas, By the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Clara B. Johnson, has deceased, March the first, eighteen hundred and seventy- six; and whereas, a son has been born to me, which son is now christened David S. Johnson, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch, and all right, interest and title in lands and bank stock, and chattels bequeathed to my deceased daughter, Clara B., in the body of this will.
In witness whereof, I hereunto place my hand and seal, this tenth day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven. RICHARD JOHNSON.
Signed, sealed, published and declared to us, by the testator, Richard Johnson, as and for a codicil, to be annexed to his will and testament; and we, at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, at the date hereof.
PETER BROWN, Lexington, Missouri.
ROBERT BURK, Richmond, Missouri.
TAXES.
For the support of the government of the state, the payment of the public debt, and the advancement of the public interest, taxes shall be levied on all property, real and personal, except as stated below:
No tax shall be assessed for or imposed by any city, county, or other municipal corporation, or for their use upon the following property: "All houses, necessary furniture and equipments thereof, used exclusively for public worship, and the lot of ground on which the same may be erected. All orphan or other asylums, for the relief of the sick or needy, with their furniture and equipments, and the lands on which they are erected and used therewith, so long as the same shall be held and used for that pur- pose only ; all universities, colleges, academies, schools, and all other sem- inaries of learning, with the furniture and equipments, and land thereto, belonging or used immediately therewith, and their endowment fund, when not invested in real estate, so long as the same shall be employed for that purpose only. Provided, That the land hereby exempted from taxation, belonging to any of the last named institutions, in any city or town, shall not exceed two acres, and in the county, not exceed five acres. And further provided, That such property, so exempted, shall not be under rent to any person, corporation, or society, and shall not, in any way or manner, be paying or yielding any rent or profit. Cemeteries and graveyards set apart and used for that purpose only. All real estate and other property belonging to any incorporated agricultural society, so
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long as the same shall be employed for the use of such society and none other. All libraries and their furniture and equipments, belonging to any library association or society. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to exempt from municipal or local taxation any description of property, when the same is held for the purpose of pecuniary profit or speculation.
Lots in incorporated cities or towns, or within one mile of the limits of such city or town, to the extent of one acre, and lots, one mile distant from such cities or towns, to the extent of five acres, with the buildings thereon, when the same are used exclusively for religious worship, for schools, or for purposes purely charitable, shall be exempt from taxation for state, county, or local purposes.
There shall be annually assessed and collected on the assessed value of all the real estate and personal property subject by law to taxation in the state one-fifth of one per centum for state revenue and one-fifth of one per centum for the payment of all state indebtedness.
The assessor or his deputy or deputies shall, between the first days of August and January, and after being furnished with the necessary books and blanks by the county clerk, at the expense of the county, proceed to take a list of the taxable personal property in his county, town, or district, and assess the value thereof in the manner following, to-wit: He shall call at the office, place of doing business, or residence of each person required by this act to list property, and shall require such person to make a cor- rect statement of all taxable property owned by such person, or under the care, charge, or management of such person, except merchandise, which may be required to pay a license tax, being in any county in this state, in accordance with the provisions of this act, and the person listing the property shall enter a true and correct statement of such property in a printed or written blank prepared for that purpose, which statement, after being filled out, shall be signed and sworn to, to the extent required by this act, by the person listing the property, and delivered to the assessor, and such assessor's book shall be arranged and divided into two parts: The "land list" and the "personal property list." If any tax- payer shall fail or neglect to pay such collector his taxes at the time and place required by such notices, then it shall be the duty of the collector after the first day of January then next, to collect and account for as other taxes, an additional tax, as a penalty, of one per cent per month upon all taxes collected by him after the first day of January, as afore- said, and in computing said additional tax or penalty a fractional part of a month shall not be counted as a whole month. Collectors shall on the day of their annual settlement with the county court, file with said court a statement under oath of the amount so received, and from whom received, and settle with the court therefor; provided, however, that said interest shall not be chargeable against persons who are absent from their homes
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and engaged in the military service of this state, or of the United States, or against any taxpayer who shall pay his taxes to the col- lector at any time before the first day of January in each year; provided that the provisions of this section shall apply to the city of St. Louis so far as the same relates to the addition of said interest, which in said city shall be collected and accounted for by the collector as other taxes, for which he shall receive no compensation.
Every county collector shall on or before the fifteenth day of each month pay to the state treasurer all taxes or licenses received by him prior to the first day of the month.
The sheriff's deed executed to the purchaser of real estate under a sale for delinquent taxes, which shall be acknowledged before the circuit court of the county or city as in ordinary cases; shall convey a title in fee to such purchaser of the real estate therein named, and shall be prima facie evidence of title, and the matters and things therein stated are true.
COURTS OF RECORD-THEIR JURISDICTION.
SUPREME COURT.
At the general election, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, all the judges of the supreme court shall be elected by the qualified voters of the state and shall enter upon their office on the first Monday of January, next ensuing. At the first session of the courts there- after, the judges shall by lot determine the duration of their several terms of office, which shall be respectively, two, four and six years, and shall certify the result to the secretary of state; at the general election every two years after said election, one judge of said court shall be elected to hold office for the period of six years from the first Monday of January next ensuing. The judge having at any time the shortest term to serve, shall be the presiding judge of the court.
The supreme court shall hold two sessions annually in the capitol, at the seat of government, on the second Monday in January and the first Mon- day in July; two sessions annually at the city of St. Joseph, on the third Monday of February and August, and two sessions annually at the city of St. Louis, on the third Mondays in March and October.
CIRCUIT COURT.
The circuit courts in the respective counties in which they may be held shall have power of jurisdiction as follows: First, as courts of law in all criminal cases which shall not be otherwise provided by law. Second, exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil cases which shall not be cogniza- ble before the county court and justices of the peace and not otherwise provided by law. Third, concurrent original jurisdiction with justices of the peace in all actions founded upon contract, when the debt, or balance
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due, or damages claimed, exclusive of interest, shall exceed fifty dollars and not exceed ninety dollars; in all actions on bonds and notes for the payment of any sum of money exceeding fifty dollars, exclusive of interest, and not exceeding one hundred and fifty dollars; and in all actions for injuries to persons, or to personal or real property, wherein the damages claimed shall exceed twenty and not exceed fifty dollars. Fourth, appel- late jurisdiction from the judgments and orders of county court and justices of the peace; in all cases not expressly prohibited by law, and shall possess a superintending control over them. Fifth, a general control over exec- utors, administrators, guardians, curators, minors, idiots, lunatics, and per- sons of unsound mind.
COUNTY COURTS.
The county courts shall be composed of three members, to be styled " the justices of the county court," and each county where the court is composed of three justices, may be districted by the county court, if they think the good of the county will be promoted thereby, into three dis- tricts, as near equal in population as practicable without dividing munic- ipal townships, and each district shall elect and be entitled to one of the justices of the county court.
The justices of the county court shall be elected by the qualified elec- tors in the several counties in this state, and shall hold their offices for the term of six years, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
The several county courts shall, when not otherwise provided by law, have exclusive original jurisdiction in all cases relative to the probate of last wills and testaments; the granting letters testamentary, and of administration, and repealing the same; appointing and displacing the guardians of orphans, minors, and persons of unsound mind; in binding out apprentices, and in the settlement and allowance of accounts of exec- utors, administrators and guardians. To hear and determine all disputes and controversies whatsoever, respecting wills, the right of executorship, administration and guardianship, or respecting the duties or accounts of executors, administrators or guardians, and all controversies and disputes between masters and their apprentices. To hear and determine all suits and other proceedings, instituted against executors or administrators upon any demand against the estate of their testator or intestate, when such demand shall not exceed one hundred dollars; and concurrent juris- diction with the circuit court in all such cases, when the demand shall exceed that sum, subject to appeal in all cases to the circuit court in such manner as may be provided by law.
The said courts shall moreover have the control and management of the property, real and personal, belonging to the courts, and shall have full power and authority to purchase or receive by donation, any prop- erty, real or personal, for the use and benefit of the county. To sell and
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cause to be conveyed, any real estate, goods or chattels belonging to the county, appropriating the proceeds of such sale to the use of the same, and to audit and settle all demands against the county.
PROBATE COURT.
A probate court is a court of record, consisting of one judge, and has jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to probate business, to granting letters testamentary, and of administration; the appointment of guar- dians and curators of minors and persons of unsound mind; settling the accounts of executors, administrators, curators and guardians, and the sale or leasing of lands by administrators, curators, and guardians, and over all matters relating to apprentices; and such judges shall have the power to solemnize marriages.
LIMITATION OF ACTIONS.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.
Offenses punishable with death or imprisonment in the penitentiary dur- ing life, may be prosecuted at any time after the offense shall have been committed.
For felonies other than above mentioned, within three years after the commission of the offense.
For any offense other than felony or fine or forfeiture, within one year after the commission of the offense.
Actions and suits upon statute for penalty or forfeiture given in whole or part, to any person who will prosecute within one year after the com- missions of the offense.
When penalty is given in whole or in part to the state, or county. or city or the treasurer of the same, suit must be brought within two years.
Actions upon any statute for any penalty or forfeiture given in whole or in part to the party aggrieved within three years.
Actions against moneyed corporations, or against the directors or stock- holders of the same, shall be brought within six years of the discovery.
LIMITATION OF PERSONAL ACTIONS.
Civil actions other than those for the recovery of real property, must be commenced within the periods here prescribed.
Actions upon any writing, whether sealed or unsealed, for the pay- ment of money or property, within ten years.
Actions brought on any covenant of warranty in deed, or conveyance of land, within ten years.
Actions on any covenant of seizure contained in any such deed, within ten years.
Actions upon contracts, obligations, or liabilities express or implied, except as above mentioned, and except upon judgments or decrees of a court of record, within five years.
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Actions upon liability created by statute, other than penalty or forfeiture, five years.
Actions for trespass on real estate, five years.
Actions for taking, detaining, or injuring any goods or chattels, includ- ing actions for the recovery of specific personal property, or for any other injury to the person or rights of another not arising on contract and not otherwise enumerated, five years.
Actions for relief on the ground of fraud, five years.
Actions against a sheriff, coroner, or other public officer upon a liability incurred by doing an act in his official capacity, or the omission of an official duty, non-payment of money collected, etc., three years.
Actions upon a statute for a penalty or forfeiture where the action is given to the party aggrieved, or to such party and the state, three years.
Actions for libel, slander, assault and battery, false imprisonment, or criminal conversation, two years.
LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY.
Actions for the recovery of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, or for the recovery of the possession thereof, shall be commenced by any person whether citizen, denizen, alien, resident or non-resident, unless his ancestor, predecessor, grantor, or other person under whom he claims was seized or possessed of the premises in question, within ten years before the commencement of such actions, except in case of military bounty lands, which must be brought within two years.
No entry upon any lands, tenements or hereditaments shall be valid as a claim, unless the action be commenced thereon within one year after the making of such entry, and within ten years from the time when the right to make such entry accrued.
If any person entitled to bring an action as above stated, shall be under twenty-one years of age, or imprisoned for less than life, or insane, or a married woman, the time during such disability shall continue, shall not be deemed any portion of the time limited for the commencement of such action or the making of such entry after the time so limited, and may be brought in three years after the disability is removed.
If any person having the right to bring such action or make such entry, die during the disability mentioned, and no determination be had of the right, title, or action to him accrued, his heirs or any one claiming under him, may commence such action within three years.
JURIES.
SELECTION OF GRAND JURY.
A grand jury shall consist of twelve men, and, unless otherwise ordered, as hereinafter provided, it shall be the duty of the sheriff of each county in the state to summon within the time prescribed by law a panel of
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grand jurors, consisting of twelve good and lawful men, selected from the different townships of his county, as near as may be in proportion to the number of male citizens in each, to be returned to each regular term of the courts in his county having criminal jurisdiction.
Every juror, grand and petit, shall be a male citizen of the state, resident in the county, sober and intelligent, of good reputation, over twenty-one years of age, and otherwise qualified.
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