Case ID: ala_34/html/0163-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "STONE, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

PARISH’S ADM’R vs. GALLOWAY.
    [bill, in equity for recovery of slaves, account, &o.]
    1. From what decree appeal lies. — An appeal does not lio from a decree ira chancery, dismissing a cross bill, and continuing the original cause.
    Appeal from the Chancery Court of Henry.
    Heard before the Hon. Wade Keyes.
    The original bill in this case was filed by Eleazar Galloway, against William Parish aiid Roger Parish, who were the brothers of the complainant’s wife, and sought, 1st, to recover certain slaves in the possession of said Roger, which the complainant claimed under a deed from Anna Parish, deceased, who was a sister of his wife; 2dly, to set aside as fraudulent an instrument of writing by which complainant released his interest in said slaves to said William Parish; 3dly, to enjoin an action at law for the recovery of said slaves, which said William Parish had instituted against said Roger Parish, and which was predicated on the said fraudulent release; and, lastly, an account oí the hire of the slaves, and general relief. The defendant Roger Parish filed a cross bill, setting np title in himself to the slaves as the administrator of Edward Parish, deceased, who was the father’ of said Anna, William and himself; insisting that, under the will of said Edward Parish, which was made an exhibit to the cross bill, said Anna Parish took only a life estate in the slaves, and, consequently, had no right to convey them .to the complainant; and praying that said deed from Anna Parish to the complainant, as well as the release from complainant to William Parish, might be canceled. The cause was submitted to the chancellor, by agreement of counsel, for decision on the single point involved in the construction of the will of Edward Parish ; and he, being of opinion that Anna Parish took ail absolute estate in the slaves under said will, and not merely an estate for life, dismissed the cross bill,.but continued the original cause. From this decree Roger Parish now' appeals, and assigns as error the dismissal of his cross bill.
    Goldthwaite, Rice & Sesipib, for appellant.
    Pugh & Bullock, contra.
    
   STONE, J.

A cross bill is one means of defense to an original bill, and, as a general rule, its fate is not necessarily decisive of the main suit. It may fail for want of necessary averments, or delect of proof, and still the complainant in the original bill may obtain no relief, for want of equity in his bill, or for a like defect of proof. See Andrews v. Hobson, 23 Ala. 219; Bill v. Shahan, 25 Ala. 694; Nelson v. Dunn, 15 Ala. 501; Daniel’s Ch. Pr. 1742.

In this case, the chancellor dismissed the cross bill, and continued the case made by the original bill. This is not a final decree, under section 3016 of the Code. As well might it be contended, that a judgment of the circuit court, sustaining a demurrer to one of two or more pleas, and then continuing the cause, was a final judgment, as that this is a final decree. Indeed, there is no decree whatever, on any phase of the case presented by the original bill.

This court has no jurisdiction of the appeal, and, ex mero moiu, dismisses it.