Whitcomb v. Whitcomb's Administrator
Whitcomb v. Whitcomb's Administrator
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
On the 2d of May, 1851, Willard Whitcomb gave notice of his demand against the estate of Luke Whitcomb, and that he would present it for allowance to the Probate Court of St. Louis county, at the next term thereof. This notice, it seems,
These observations are based upon the case under consideration, by which it appears that the claim was filed in court at the term stated in the notice, and the cause was continued from time to time, we may presume, by consent, which would give the court jurisdiction. But, in the event the claimant giving notice, does not appear at the term at which he requires the administrator to be present to answer his demand, we do not see how the administrator could take any step affecting the claimant. What process or evidence would there be before the court, showing that the claimant had required the attendance of the administrator in court, until the production of the notice, authenticated by proof of service ? Should the court, on the unauthenticated notice given to the administrator, take any cognizance of the cause in the absence of the claimant ? Unsuch circumstances, would not the proceeding fall to the ground, leaving the claimant to another notice to the administrator to appear and answer his demand ? If the administrator should appear with witnesses, and the claimant should fail to attend, there might be some difficulty about the costs. The claimant should be held liable for them, but we do not see on what principle the court would be warranted in entering a judgment for them, with nothing before it on which the judgment could be based.
We suppose the real question lies beneath this proceeding, which cannot, nor is it adapted to reach it. For entering the fact that the plaintiff did not appear, when, in reality, he did not do so, we see no reason why he should be allowed an appeal. He is in no worse condition by reason of the entry, than if it had not been made. In either event, the same remedy was open to him, which would be a new notice to the administrator to appear, and then the question would arise whether the first notice would be an exhibition of the demand, within the meaning of the statute. That question has not been made, and we express no opinion in relation to it.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Whitcomb, in Error v. Whitcomb's Administrator, in Error
- Status
- Published