Case Name: Mrs. A. A. Walker vs. Mrs. L. T. Barrelli
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1880-03
Citations: 32 La. Ann. 467
Docket Number: No. 7740
Parties: Mrs. A. A. Walker vs. Mrs. L. T. Barrelli.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Annual Reports
Volume: 32
Pages: 467–471

Head Matter:
No. 7740.
Mrs. A. A. Walker vs. Mrs. L. T. Barrelli.
A voluntary absence of ten years, by one residing in this State, who communicates with no one relative to property owned here and makes no provision for its administration, and gives no information as to her whereabouts or intention, is good evidence of intent to abandon the domicile in Louisiana and justifies attachment.
Domiciliary service of citation must be upon the defendant, or upon some one living in the house with defendant.
The law does not require the copy of citation to be served on the attorney ad hoc in attachment proceedings. Lriant vs. Hebert, 30 An. 1128, affirmed as to duration of writ of ft. fa.
Purchases by unauthorized married women are annullable only on their demand, or that of tlicir heirs or husbands.
It suffices that the attorney swear to the best of his knowledge and belief, in attachment suits. The sufficiency of evidence, can only be questioned on appeal.
The oath of the creditor is prima facie proof of the absence in attachment proceedings.
A debtor residing in this State must be cited either personally or at domicile or the judgment will bo null.
APPEAL from tlie Sixth Judieial District Court, parish of St. Tammany, Duncan, J.
Samuel E. Walker for plaintiff and appellant:
Eirst — A fi.fa. is issued to be returned in seventy days. The law prohibited a longer deiay. C. P. 604 ; Acts 1855, p. 253 ; 15 An. 189 ; 17 An. 467. •
Second — The failure of a sheriff to return within the time is prima facie evidence of the debt. 23 An. 253, 207.
Third — The purchaser at a judicial sale is a necessary party to an action to annul the sale. 30 An. 310 ; C. P. 608, 609 ; Hennen’s Dig. p. 746 (e.) No. 2 ; 10 E. 425.
Fourth — The affidavit by an agent that he verily believes the debt is due is insufficient. C. P. 242 ; 7 N. S. 610 ; 11 An. 625 ; 13 An. 473 ; 10 An. 324.
Fifth — The corporeal possession of tlie property in controversy, its effects and presumptions of law arising therefrom. Arts. 3442, 3443, 3444, R. O. C.; C. P. 605, No. 4, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613.
Sixth — A curator ad hoc has no capacity to act until served with copies of citation and petition. 6 R. 142 ; 12 E. 540 ; 10 E. 324 ; 13 An. 487 ; Hennen’s Dig. Absentee 9, s. 277 ; 10 M. 472 ; 12 E. 461; 9 An. 550.
Seventh — The curator ad hoc is not bound to ñle an answer. It may be a better defense not to file answer. C. P. 260, 266 ; 14 An. 75, 79 ; . 2 An. 239 ; 3 An. 381 ; 11 An. 184.
Eighth — Prescription cannot avail the defendant. C. C. 3483.
Ninth — The adjudication of Doherty was in contravention of law. E. C. C. 122 ; C. C. 12.
Ellis & Ellis for defendant and appellee :
First — On motion to dismiss, the husband’s affidavit cannot be considered in favor of the wife. O. O. 2281.
Second — This court has no jurisdiction. Const. 1879, arts. 81 and 261.
Third — The affidavit was good. C. P. 216, 217.
Fourth — The defendant in Eussell vs. Torre was an absentee. E. C. C. 47, 3556, No. 3.
Fifth — The sale was within the return-day of the writ. C. P. 318 ; 30 An. 1128.
Sixth — A tender of the price to the defendant, the purchaser of the property, is a condition precedent to plaintiff’s action to recover. 30 An. 891; 30 An. 174 ; 30 An. 1233.
Seventh — Prescription. C. C. 3542, 3543 ; Hennen’s Dig. (N. S.) p. 1219, No. 5, 6, 8,14, p. 1220, No. 18, 24, 25..

Opinion:
The opinion of the court was delivered by
Spencee, J.
On Motion to Dismiss.
Plaintiff brings this suit to annul a sheriff's sale of a house and lot in Covington to the defendant, and to recover said property as owner. The defendant and appellee moves to dismiss the appeal on the ground that the amount in dispute does not fall within our jurisdiction. An inspection of the record satisfies us that we have jurisdiction, and the motion to dismiss is denied.