Kinser v. Norvelle-Chambers Shoe Co.
Kinser v. Norvelle-Chambers Shoe Co.
Opinion of the Court
Opinion op the Court by
Affirming in part and reversing in part.
Appellant Kinser, with, his wife and eight children, lives in a box house on a small piece of ground near the bed of Pond creek in Pike county. This property, which has been twice appraised at $800.00, is near a mining camp and is used and claimed by appellant as a homestead. It having been sold under executions in favor of appellees Norvelle-Chambers Shoe Company and Lynch-burg Shoe Company against appellant and bought in by appellee companies for their debts and the sheriff having made a joint deed to the two companies for the property, Kinser brought this action against the shoe companies to obtain a cancellation of the sheriff’s deed and to have said property assigned him as homestead for himself and family. This relief was denied by the trial court and Kinser has appealed here.
He owned in 1912 a homestead in a lot and house near the one in question. Im that year Kinser embarked in the merchandising business and became involved. On June 3,1913, he sold his house, lot and stock of goods to Lester Brothers for $1,500.00, of which sum he was paid only $140.00 in cash and the balance went to his creditors. With this $140.00' Kinser bought the lot in controversy on June 19, 1913, and immediately erected a small box house thereon into which he and his family promptly moved and have at all times since and now reside. Before he purchased the lot he purchased goods from appellee, Lynchburg Shoe Company, to the amount of $139.22. This was in February before he acquired the lot and built the house in June, 1913. He owned no other real estate. Later he gave the shoe company two notes of
Under this rule Kinser had the right to sell his original homestead and with the proceeds received from Les-, ter Brothers acquire a new one, and this last one would have been exempt from all his mercantile obligations the same as the original homestead. But under the sale in gross which he made we are unable to determine what part of the sale price was for the homestead and what for the merchandise in which he had no exemption.The homestead exemption is of statutory origin and one who would avail himself of its benefits must manifest his right to the same. If he does not do so, although the unproven facts may warrant it, no relief can be had. This is Kinser’s situation. Although he could have preserved his original homestead and invested it in the home in controversy he did not do so, or at least does not manifest such facts as would warrant a court in so holding. It follows, therefore, that the present home of Kinser was subject to the execution of the Lynchburg Shoe Company for $139.22, with interest and costs.
Judgment reversed for proceedings not inconsistent herewith.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.