Court of Appeals of Kentucky, 1845

Myers v. Smith

Myers v. Smith
Court of Appeals of Kentucky · Decided April 12, 1845 · Breck
44 Ky. 279; 5 B. Mon. 279; 1845 Ky. LEXIS 6

Myers v. Smith

Opinion of the Court

Judge Breck

delivered the opinion of the Court.

The record does not contain the requisite evidence of the service of the common order upon the tenant in possession. The only return upon it is, “Executed, Thos. J. Holton.” There is nothing in the record showing or indicating that he was Sheriff or otherwise authorized to serve process. In the absence of all proof of authority, the presumption cannot be indulged that he possessed it. But even if it appeared that the common order had been duly served upon Myers, it would have been irregular and erroneous to have rendered judgment against him, and for *280costs, by default. Under the statute of 1800, (Stat. Law, 583,) the plaintiff is authorized to declare, in his proper name, andjagainst the defendant in his proper name; but the proceeding in this case is not under that act, John Doe and Richard Roe stand upon the record as plaintiff and defendant. The tenant in possession is not a defendant until he appears, enters into the consent rule, and by the order of the Court, is made a defendant.

'The tenant in possession is not •liable for costs until he has been •admitted defendant by order of ‘Court. Trimble for appellant: Cwrry for appellee.

Upon the service of the common order and the failure of the tenant or other proper person, to appear and enter as defendant, the judgment should be rendered against the casual ejector, Richard Roe-: such was certainly the •original practice, and we are not disposed to depart from It, where the proceeding is commenced in the name of the fictitious persons, John Doe and Richard Roe.

The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings, not inconsistent with this opinion.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.