Case ID: tenn_13/html/0296-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Catron, Ch. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Smith and Skillern vs. Erwin.
    Where an appeal bond is given for “costs and damages” only, no judgment can be rendered against the securities for the principal judgment appealed from; but only for the costs and damages.
    Erwin sued Smith in the county court, where a judgment was taken against Smith for the debt and interest. Smith appealed to the circuit court, and Skillern became his security in the appeal bond. The bond recites the judgment, and is conditional that the parties pay the “costs and damages,” and is silent as to the debt. The circuit court upon the finding of the jury, affirmed the judgment against Smith, and gave judgment against Skil-lern for the principal debt, with interest and costs. From this judgment Smith and Skillern prosecuted a writ of error to this court.
    
   Catron, Ch. J.

delivered the opinion of the court.

In this cause the appeal bond is only for costs and damages, not the debt. The judgment of the circuit court will be reversed; and this court proceeding to give such judgment as the circuit court ought to have given, order judgment to be rendered against Smith for the principal debt, and Skillern for the costs and damages incident to prosecuting the appeal from the county to the circuit court, and Erwin to pay the costs of this court.

Judgment reversed.