Lovejoy v. Bright
Lovejoy v. Bright
Opinion of the Court
This was an action of debt by Bright against Lovejoy and Rogers. The declaration states that the plaintiff recovered a judgment in the Decatur Circuit Court against Lovejoy and one Dragstrem (describing it); that a fieri facias against Lovejoy and Dragstrem issued upon the judgment and was placed in the sheriff’s hands. The execution is set out, and correctly recites the judgment. The declaration further states that, for the purpose of replevying the judgment, one Watson executed his written instrument, which the sheriff returned into the clerk’s office with the execution. The writing is without a seal, and its condition recites a judgment varying from the one before mentioned in the sum recovered, and an execution different in amount from that which was alleged to be placed in the hands of the sheriff. It is then averred that a fieri facias against Love-joy, Dragstrem, and Watson, which was issued upon the
The defendants pleaded three pleas, to one of which there was a demurrer, which was sustained. Replication to the other two pleas, and issues. Yerdict for the plaintiff. Motion in arrest of judgment overruled, and judgment on the verdict.
It is unnecessary to state the plea which was adjudged bad on demurrer, because it is immaterial whether it is good or bad, as the declaration is substantially bad in two respects: First, the execution which is alleged to have issued against Lovejoy, Dragstrem, and Watson, on which the officer seized the property named in the delivery-bond was unauthorized and irregular. The statute which governs this case authorizes the officer holding an execution to take a replevin-bond for the stay of the execution, requires him to return the bond with the execution to the clerk’s office, the clerk to record the bond, gives to the bond the force and effect of a judgment confessed against the obligor, and authorizes an execution to issue upon it. R. S. 1838, pp. 280, 281. The writing executed by Watson was not a bond: it had no seal, and was not a compliance with the statute. It could not therefore have the force and effect of a judgment, or sustain
The judgment is reversed with costs. Cause remanded, &c.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Lovejoy and Another v. Bright
- Status
- Published