Case Name: Scoville and Others v. Chapman
Court: Supreme Court of Indiana
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Decision Date: 1861-12-12
Citations: 17 Ind. 470
Docket Number: 
Parties: Scoville and Others v. Chapman.
Judges: 
Reporter: Indiana Reports
Volume: 17
Pages: 470–472

Head Matter:
Scoville and Others v. Chapman.
In a proceeding to enforce a mechanic’s lien, after the jury had been sworn, and the evidence heard, the Court permitted the plaintiff to enter a dismissal as to some of the defendants, so far as a personal judgment was sought against them, but to continue them as parties to the proceedings to enforce the lien.
Held, that there was no error in this.
Errors of law occurring on the trial, as in the refusal to grant a continuance, or in the admission of improper evidence, must be assigned in the motion for a new trial, or they can not be noticed on appeal.
Motion for a new trial upon the following grounds, viz., 1. “For irregularities in the proceedings of the Court, and abuse of discretion, by which the defendants were prevented from having a fair trial. 2. On account of accident and surprise, which ordinary prudence could not have guarded against. 3. Errors of law occurring at the trial, and excepted to.”
Held, that the reasons assigned were too vague and indefinite to bring any question to the attention of the Court.
APPEAL from the Lagrange Common Pleas.

Opinion:
Worden, J.
This was an action by the appellee against Seoville, Jones and Shirts, to recover for work and labor done, and materials furnished; and to enforce a mechanic's lien on a saw-mill and premises, on which the labor had been done, and for which the materials were furnished. Issues were formed, and the cause tried by a jury.
After the jury had been sworn, and the evidence offered, the plaintiff filed a dismissal of the cause as against Jones and Shirts, so far as it was sought to obtain a personal judgment against them, but retained them as defendants, so far as it was sought to enforce the lien on the premises. The defendants objected and excepted to such dismissal, the Court permitting the same to be entered. There was no error in this. Code, § 99; Taylor et al. v. Jones, 1 Ind. 1.
The effect of the proceeding was simply an abandonment of any pretended right to recover against Jones and Shirts a personal judgment for the labor and materials; claiming the right to enforce the lien as against them, however, and leaving them before the Court to protect their interests in the premises, if they had any. This, it seems to us, can not be error.
Verdict and judgment against Seoville, with the usual order enforcing the lien.
After the action above noted was had in relation to Jones and Shirts, an affidavit was filed, on which a continuance was applied for; but the application was overruled, and exception taken. There was no motion for a new trial on the ground of error in refusing a continuance; hence, this point ne0<^ no ^tiier noticed. Kent v. Lawson, 12 Ind. 675.
J. E. McDonald, A. L. Eoache and E. Parrett, for the appellants.
A. Ellison, for the appellee.
It is objected that incompetent evidence was permitted to go to the jury. A new trial was not asked on this ground.
The reasons filed for a new trial are as MIoavs: 1. "For irregularities in the proceedings of the Court, and abuse of the discretion of the Court, by which the defendants were prevented from having a fair trial. 2. On account of accident and surprise which ordinary prudence could not have guarded against. 3. Because the verdict is not sustained by sufficient evidence, and is contrary to law. 4. Errors of law occurring at the trial, and excepted to by the defendants."
The evidence is not in the record; hence, nothing further need be said in reference to the third reason. The other reasons were all too vague and indefinite to have brought any question to the attention of the Court below. Barnard v. Graham, 14 Ind. 322; Medler v. Hiatt, id. 405.
What AAre have said disposes of all the questions arising in the case.
Per Guriam. — The judgment is affirmed, Avith 5 per eent. damages and costs.