Court Opinion

ID: 7035250
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 06:44:59.951283+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:11:07.367303
License: Public Domain

Davison, J.
The appellee, who was the plaintiff, sued Robert McGammock and Anderson Thompson, alleging in his complaint these facts: Thompson, on June 20, 1858, recovered a judgment in the Putnam Common Pleas against one John Gase, for $731; and on September 1, then next following, Thompson being indebted to the plaintiff $576, it was agreed between them in the presence of McGammock, that Thompson should pay the plaintiff $100 on said indebtedness, and in full payment of the residue, $476, transfer and assign to him an amount of the judgment against Gase equal to such residue; which transfer and assignment was then made, without writing, and accepted by the plaintiff as such payment, of which McGammock then had due notice, &c. It is averred that Thompson, the judgment creditor, at the time of said agreement authorized and directed McCammoolc, as his agent, to assign upon the record to the plaintiff so much of said judgment as would pay $476, the above named residue; and, that afterward, on December 6, 1858, Gase, the judgment debtor, fully paid the judgment to the clerk of said Court, and McOammock having failed to assign the judgment, as authorized and directed by Thompson, *322collected and received the whole amount thereof from said clerk, and converted the same to his own use, &c. And the plaintiff in fact says, that McGammock, though often requested, has refused to account, or pay over to the plaintiff, the $176, so collected and received by him, &c.
The defendant McGammock demurred on three grounds: 1. The complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. 2. There is a misjoinder of parties defendant. 3. The Court has no jurisdiction of the person of the defendant Thompson.
None of these grounds are tenable. The facts alleged show, affirmatively, a sufficient cause of action against McGammock, for money had and received for the plaintiff’s use; and Thompson, being the assignor of the judgment, was properly joined as a defendant “ to answer as to the assignment, or his interest in the subject of the action.” 2 E. S., § 6, p. 28. There is consequently no ground for the assumption that the Court had no jurisdiction of his person.
McGammock, one of the defendants, answered by general denial; and the cause being thus at issue as to said defendant, the plaintiff moved to continue the case until the next term of the Court, which motion, though resisted by the defendant, was sustained by the Court; and the cause was thereupon continued to the next succeeding term of the Court, and the defendant excepted. At the term at which this continuance was granted, it appeared that the defendant Thompson had been served with process, though not in time to rule him to appear and plead. The continuance was granted without affidavit, the cost abiding .the event of the suit.
Thompson appeared at the next subsequent term, and answered: 1. Denying any interest in the judgment, alleging that it was fully paid, and disclaiming any interest in the suit. 2. He denies the matters and things alleged against him in the complaint. 3. That he is a resident of Morgan county, and that the Putnam Common Pleas has no jurisdiction of his person. To the third paragraph of this answer the plaintiff replied, that the Court has jurisdiction of the person of Thompson; that his co-defendant, McGammock, resides in Putnam county, has been duly served with process, *323is now in Court, and jointly with Thompson defending the suit; and that he, Thompson, is a necessary party, &c. -
J. A. Matson and A. Baggy, for the appellants.
A demurrer to this reply.was overruled, and we think correctly. Thompson was the assignor of the judgment, and therefore a necessary party to the suit. See 2. R. S., § 6, p. 28. And the statute provides that “ when there are several defendants residing in different counties, the action may be brought in any county where either defendant resides, and a separate summons may be issued to any other county where the other defendants may be found.” 2 R. S., § 33, p. 34; Ward v. Buel, 11 Ind. 327; Arbuckle v. Spaugh, id. 372.
The issues were submitted to a jury, who found for the plaintiff $470; and thereupon the defendant McCammock, moved for a new trial: 1. Because the verdict was contrary to law and evidence. 2. The damages were excessive. 3. Errors of law occurring at the trial, and excepted to at the time.
It is assigned for error, that the Court awarded a continuance on the plaintiff’s motion -without affidavit, and without taking cost against him; that Thompson was not allowed to testify on behalf of his co-defendant, and that the Court erred in giving instructions; but these rulings are not properly before us, because they do not appear to have been sufficiently assigned as a cause for a new trial. They are evidently not embraced in the first and second alleged causes. And the third, viz., “ Errors of law occurring at the trial, and excepted to at the time,” is too general, and does not inform the Court, specifically, of the errors of which the party complains.
We have examined the evidence, and are of opinion that it sustains the verdict; nor is there any ground for the conclusion that the damages are excessive.
Per Ouriam.
The judgment is affirmed, with 3 per cent, damages and costs.