Terrebonne v. Abernathy
Terrebonne v. Abernathy
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiff, R. J. Terrebonne, under a contract with the Louisiana Highway Commission, constructed a highway in the parish of Concordia; and defendant, O. L. Abernathy, claiming that Terrebonne was indebted to him in the sum of one thousand dollars for services rendered in constructing the highway, filed and had a sworn statement of the amount claimed recorded in the office of the recorder of mortgages of said parish, and notice of same served on the Louisiana Highway Commission, asserting the right to be paid by preference from the amount due plaintiff, as provided by Act No. 224 of 1918.
In the present action plaintiff alleged that he was not indebted to defendant in any amount whatsoever and that the affidavit had been filed and recorded by defendant merely for the purpose of harassing and annoying plaintiff; that the Louisiana Highway Commission was ready to settle with plaintiff for the balance due on the contract, but was prevented from doing so by reason of the action of defendant, and plaintiff prayed for judgment against defendant ordering the affidavit canceled and erased from the mortgage records.
Defendant answered admitting that he filed and had the affidavit recorded, and alleged in substance that plaintiff had employed him to superintend the work of constructing the road at a salary of $200 per month, and that the amount claimed in the affidavit was due for five months’ salary; and he prayed for judgment against plaintiff accordingly.
On trial, judgment was rendered in favor of plaintiff, rejecting defendant’s de- ■ mand, and ordering the cancelation and erasure of the affidavit from the mortgage records; and defendant appeals.
The evidence shows that there was an agreement between the parties in which defendant was to superintend the work which was to be financed by plaintiff, including the personal expenses of defendant, who was to receive one-half of the profits. It is
The judgment is therefore affirmed at defendant’s cost.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.