Court Opinion

ID: 7036371
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 06:45:57.45666+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:11:09.503405
License: Public Domain

Perkins, J.
The question in this case may be presented by stating the pleadings to have been thus: Freeman filed a complaint for the foreclosure of a mortgage executed by Woodhull. The proper exhibits were made and filed. The defendant answered, setting up a former recovery, in the same Court in which the then suit was pending, making a copy of the proceedings and judgment a part of his answer. The plaintiff replied that the prior judgment, set up in the answer, was a nullity, in this, that the defendant therein, Woodhull, was a resident of the State of New York, and a non-resident of the State of Indiana; that he was not in any manner notified of the pendency of the suit; that he did not appear, and that judgment was rendered against him by default.
Trial by the Court, judgment for the plaintiff.
If the former judgment was rendered against Woodhull without notice, actual or constructive, and appears by the record to have been so rendered, it did not merge the mortgage, was, in fact, void, and could not bar another action upon the mortgage; and such would be the case where it was legally proved that no notice was given. The mortgage upon which the former judgment was based commenced as follows: “Richard W. Woodhull, of --- county in the State of New York, by Nathaniel K. Strong, his attorney in fact, mortgages,” &c.; and it was signed and acknowledged by Strong as the attorney of Woodhull. It was dated March 7, 1860. This mortgage was made a part of the complaint. Other *231persons, not interested in the mortgaged premises, however, were made defendants in the complaint, with Woodhull, the mortgagor of the land, and owner of the equity of redemption.
James Bradley, Charles J. Thompson and H. A. Gillett, for the appellant.
The following summons, and the return thereon, evidenced the only notice given of the pendency of the suit:
“The State of Indiana — to the Sheriff of Porter county:, You are hereby commanded to summon Richard W. Woodhull, Tighlman A. Hogan, Nathaniel K. Strong, Aaron Lytle and Richard Lytle to appear in the Porter Common Pleas Court on the second day of the next term thereof, to answer the complaint of Lorenzo Freeman, and of this summons make due return. Witness the Clerk, &c., August 28, 1861.”
Sheriff’s return : “ Served on all the within named defendants by reading, and on N. K. Strong, attorney in fact for Woodhull.” Signed by the officer.
Interpreting this return in the light of the facts, appearing in the complaint and record, that Woodhull was, one year before, a non-resident, and that there is nothing in the record showing any change. of residence, or any temporary appearance in Indiana, we think the inference from the whole record is that Woodhull was not notified of the pendency of the suit; that the record is not silent, but speaks to that effect. The case also appears to be one not falling within that class where notice to an agent suffices. 2 R. S. p. 57, § 30.
We do not see how the defendant is injured by this suit. He will not have to pay the ,costs of the former, and it is important, if a sale must be had of the mortgaged premises, that the purchaser shall- obtain a good title.
Per Curiam. — The judgment is affirmed, with costs and 1 per cent. damages.