Case ID: cal-unrep_1/html/0066-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "FIELD, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

IGNACIO DEL VALLE, Respondent, v. THOMAS W. MORE, Appellant.
    No. 1720;
    October 18, 1858.
    Judgment by Default — Grounds for Setting Aside. — A judgment for the plaintiff, entered upon the failure of the defendant to appear at the trial, is not to be set aside on a showing by defendant that his nonappearance was by reason of his being “extremely and necessarily busy on his ranch taking eare of his cattle.”
    APPEAL from First Judicial District, Los Angeles County.
    Scott & Lander for respondent; Hepburn & Sanders for appellant.
   FIELD, J.

— When this case was called on the calendar the defendant failed to appear and the plaintiff had judgment. The defendant moved to set aside the judgment, alleging as an excuse for his neglect to appear at the trial “that he was extremely and necessarily busy upon his ranch in taking care of his cattle.” We know of but one precedent when the possession of cattle and attention to them was offered as an excuse for nonattendance, and in that case it was held unavailing.

We feel the less reluctance in affirming the order denying the motion inasmuch as the defendant states in his affidavit that he is abundantly able to pay and satisfy the judgment. We are of opinion that he can safely pay it.

Judgment affirmed, with ten per cent damages.

We concur: Baldwin, J.; Terry, C. J.