Case: TURNER'S CASE. George W. Turner v. The United States
Abbreviation: Turner v. United States
Decision Date: 1866-12
Docket Number: 
Citation: 2 Ct. Cl. 390
Volume: 2
Reporter: United States Court of Claims Reports
Court: United States Court of Claims
Jurisdiction: United States
Parties: TURNER’S CASE. George W. Turner v. The United States.
Judges: 
Pages: 390–390

Head Matter:
TURNER’S CASE. George W. Turner v. The United States.
On motion to join others as parties claimant.
Turner brings his action to recover the proceeds of certain cotton under the act of 1863, (12 Stat. L.,p. 820.) Clark, Wright fy Co. come into court and move that they he joined as parties claimant. Each party alleges that he was the true owner of the cotton, and contests the right of the other to recover the proceeds.
Under the “ captured and abandoned property act,” (12 Stat. L., p. 820,) two parties claiming each to have been the true owner of the cotton and entitled to the proceeds will be joined as parties claimant, aud their conflicting claims be settled in one suit.

Opinion:
PbR Curiam :
The act of 12th March, 1863, which confers our jurisdiction to hear and determine cases of this kind, requires a party to prove his ownership of' the property and his right to its proceeds, and then, on proof of loyalty, is entitled to a judgment in his favor. The party intervening here alleges his ownership and his right to the proceeds. Proof of these facts on the trial would defeat the original claimant's right. Another trial would then be necessary to determine that of the inter-venors. This can as well be settled in one case, and circuity and delay avoided.
Our jurisdiction over this subject being peculiar, special, and exclusive, and the proceedings being in the nature of an action in rem, it may be doubtful whether, after a judgment in favor of a party here, the ownership and right to the proceeds could be litigated elsewhere.
Upon the presentation of a petition, in due form, and showing an nterest in the subject-matter of the claim, and the right of the party .to be heard in this court, we will make an order directing them to be made parties on the record.