Case Name: Reeves v. Allen
Court: Supreme Court of Indiana
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Decision Date: 1873-05
Citations: 42 Ind. 359
Docket Number: 
Parties: Reeves v. Allen.
Judges: 
Reporter: Indiana Reports
Volume: 42
Pages: 359–359

Head Matter:
Reeves v. Allen.
Deposition.—Proceedings before Mayor.—Depositions of witnesses may be taken out of the State, in an action pending before the mayor of a city.
APPEAL from the Putnam Common Pleas.
.S'. Turman and J. Birch, for appellant.
JD. E. Williamson and A. Daggy, for appellee.

Opinion:
Downey, J.
The only question in this case is, whether or not depositions of witnesses may be taken out of the State, in an action pending before the mayor of a city, who, by law, has the jurisdiction and powers of a justice of the peace. The common pleas decided that they could not be taken. We are of the opinion that this decision cannot be maintained. Prof. Greenleaf says: " This method of obtaining testimony from witnesses, in a foreign country, has always been familiar in the courts of admiralty; but it is also deemed to be within the inherent powers of all courts of justice." 1 Greenl. Ev., sec. 320.
But however this may be, we think the question in this State is settled by statute. It is enacted, in sec. 49, p. 591, 2 G. & H., that " depositions of witnesses or parties residing out of the county, or sick, or about to leave the same, may be taken under the rules prescribed by law for taking depositions; and if such party or witness be absent from the county or unable to attend at the trial, may be read as evidence in any cause; and no dedimus shall be necessary in such case." The question, whether a dedimus or commission is necessary when the deposition is taken out of the State, is not before us in this case, and need not be decided, for there was a dedimus or commission issued by the mayor, in pursuance of which the deposition was taken.
The judgment is reversed, with costs, and the cause remanded, with instructions to grant a new trial, to overrule the motion to suppress the deposition on the ground stated, and for further proceedings.