Case Name: Davis v. Graniss and Others
Court: Supreme Court of Indiana
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Decision Date: 1839-05-21
Citations: 5 Blackf. 79
Docket Number: 
Parties: Davis v. Graniss and Others.
Judges: 
Reporter: Blackford
Volume: 5
Pages: 79–80

Head Matter:
Davis v. Graniss and Others.
Tuesday, May 21.
Assumpsit against A. and B., the former of whom pleaded in bar of the action, and the latter, on whom process had been served, failed to appear. Held, that a verdict and judgment could not be taken against A. alone.
ERROR to the La Porte Circuit Court.
W. Quarles, for the plaintiff.
J. A. Liston, for the defendants.

Opinion:
Sullivan, J.
Assumpsit by C. B. Graniss and others against Davis and one Allison on a promissory note. Davis appeared and pleaded to the action. Allison, on whom process had been' duly served, entered no appearance. An issue was made on the plea filed by Davis. Verdict and judgment against Davis alone.
This judgment must be reversed. The error consists in taking judgment against one of the defendants only. The principles which govern suits against joint contractors are, we presume, familiar to all. A judgment by default should have been taken against Allison, and the jury that tried the issue made on the plea filed by Davis, should have been sworn to assess the damages against Allison also. 2 Arch. Pr. 28' .
Per Curiam.
The judgment is reversed, and the proceedings subsequent to the filing of the plea set aside. Cause remanded, &c.
The verdict for the plaintiffs in such case is as follows: The jurors, &c. say upon their oath that the said Henry Danis did undertake and promise, in manner and form as the plaintiffs have within complained against hint ; and they assess the plaintiffs' damages by reason of the not performing the promises and undertakings within mentioned, as well against the said Henry Darns as against the said John Allison, over and above the costs and charges of the plaintiffs by them about their suit in this behalf expended, to 200 dollars, &c. [Judgment against both as in ordinary cases.]' Arch. Forms, 338.
But if the plaintiff in such case fail to obtain a verdict against the defendant who pleads in bar of the action, the jury must be discharged from assessing damages against the other who let judgment go by default for the contract being entire, the plaintiff must succeed against both the defendants or neither of them. 2 Arch. Pr. 28.