Sindall v. H. C. Thacker & Co.
Sindall v. H. C. Thacker & Co.
Opinion of the Court
1. Thacker & Company moved a rule against the sheriff to show cause why certain funds raised from the sale of Sindall’s property should not be paid to them. Certain creditors holding junior liens attacked the judgment of Thacker & Company, on the ground that Sindall was not served, and the United States district court for the northern district, therefore, had no jurisdiction, and on the further ground that the judgment was fraudulently obtained in that court; and again, because that court allowed an amendment of the declaration of Thacker & Company, which was never served. The United States marshal returned that he had served the defendant by leaving a copy at his most notorious place of abode, in Griffin, Georgia, which is within the northern district of Georgia. At common law this return would be conclusive, and could not be attacked at all. The statute of our state allows the return of the sheriff to be traversed, but that must be done in the court which rendered the judgment, and the sheriff must be made a party to the traverse: See Maund vs. Keating, page 396, and Lamb vs. Dozier, this term. We should certainly apply to the court of the United States either the common law rule or our own. If the former, the return of the marshal is conclusive; if our own law be applied, the return cannot be attacked except in the court which rendered the judgment, and the marshal should be made a party. This would seem to conclude the attack upon this judgment for want of service.
2, 3. But conceding that it could be attacked in the superior court of Spalding county, what are the facts and what the charge complained of. The facts are that Sindall left his family in Griffin at a house there; that at the time of service by the marshal his wife had just left it; the house and furniture was sold by her, but some of the furniture not delivered, remaining in the house, and his brother, who was in the house or returning
4. But the appearance and plea and then withdrawal of it, cures the service even if defective.
5. In respect to the fraud used in procuring the judgment, the only error complained of is that the court charged that if any part of the judgment was for a valid debt, that part would stand. But the jury found that all of it was right a'nd the evidence certainly sustains the verdict. It was conflicting, but there is enough to sustain it. Hence the charge did no harm to defendant.
6. In respect to any irregularities in allowing amendments or other proceedings of like character in the United States district court, we cannot see what right the circuit court of Georgia has to interfere therewith. On the whole, we think the court below right in refusing the grant of a new trial and we affirm the judgment.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Charles A. Sindall, in error v. H. C. Thacker & Company, in error
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published