Case ID: nc_144/html/0765-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Pee, Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

L. J. FAIN v. A. J. GADDIS.
    Dówer — Evidence—-Lost Papers — Verdict.—When the sole controversy is as to whether a certain lot was assigned to plaintiff as dower, some of the papers in the dower proceedings having been lost, and under competent evidence and instructions the jury has found their contents to be as contended by the plaintiff, the defendant is not entitled to a new trial.
    Civil actioN, tried before W. R. Allen, J., at Fall- Term, 1906, of the Superior Court of Oi-ieroeee County. From a judgment for plaintiff, the defendant appealed.
    
      Busbee & Busbee, Axley & Axley and Ben Posey for-plaintiff.
    
      Dillard & Bell for defendant.
   Pee, Curiam.

The Court, in its discretion, after careful examination, denied the motion for new trial for newly discovered evidence. The action is brought to recover possession of a parcel of land known as lot No. 189, or the Dugan lot, which plaintiff alleges was duly assigned to her as dower. It is admitted that J. B. Fain, plaintiff’s husband, owned the lot in fee during the coverture, and that plaintiff has never released her dower right. The defendant claims under the husband. The sole controversy is as to whether the said lot was actually assigned to plaintiff as dower. Some of the papers in the proceedings under which dower was allotted' having been lost' or mislaid, the Court submitted to the jury these issues:

1. Was the Dugan lot embraced in the petition for dower ? Answer: Yes.

2. Was the Dugan lot embraced in the allotment of dower ? Answer: Yes.

3. What is the average rental value of the Dugan lot? Answer: Rents per year, $15.

Tbe plaintiff introduced tbe summons in tbe dower proceedings and certain docket entries, and then proved tbe existence of tbe papers and that due search bad been made. . Both parties offered parol evidence as to wbat tbe lost record contained. Tbe answer sets up tbe lost record very fully and seeks to establish it by proof. Tbe original summons and docket entries constitute most conclusive proof of its existence, which was not denied. Tbe only controversy was as to whether tbe Dugan lot was included in tbe proceedings and allotment. Tbe jury find it was. There was abundant evidence to support tbe finding, and we find in tbe record nothing that entitles defendant to another trial.

No Error.