Gibson v. Lock

Mississippi Supreme Court
Gibson v. Lock, 58 Miss. 298 (Miss. 1880)
George

Gibson v. Lock

Opinion of the Court

George, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

Lock & Smith sued out a distress for rent against L. Z. Gibson, their tenant, and the same was levied on some personal property on the demised premises. The sheriff demanded an indemnifying bond from Lock & Smith, which was given. The property was sold by the sheriff, and the proceeds applied to the payment of the rent. The plaintiff in error, the wife of said tenant, brought this action on the indemnifying bond, claiming that she was the owner of the property thus seized and sold, 'and seeking a recovery of its value. A demurrer was sustained to the declaration, and we think properly. At common law, all personal property present on the demised premises was liable to be distrained for the rent. This rule has been changed by sect. 1631 of the Code of 1871; but in exempting property found on the demised premises, belonging to others, who are not liable for rent, the *301statute expressly provides that the owner of such property shall not have the benefit of the exemption unless he will replevy the property, as provided for in the statute, before it is sold under the distress-warrant. We have heretofore held that such owner had no other remedy than replevin. Kendrick v. Watson, 54 Miss. 495. The sheriff, therefore, had no right to demand the indemnifying bond, and it was voluntary and void. To allow the alleged owner to recover .in this action would be to give a remedy which is expressly denied by the statute. The policy of the statute is to exempt property of others found on the demised premises from seizure and sale for the rent, and at the same time require the owner to interpose his claim before sale, so that the landlord may have the opportunity of seizing other property for his rent.

The judgment is affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
M. H. Gibson v. Lock & Smith
Cited By
2 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
1. Attachment eor Kent. Property claimed, by third person. Remedy. The common-law rule that all personal property found on demised premises is liable to be distrained for rent, has been changed by sect. 1631 of the Code of 1871; but if the owner of such property would avail himself of the benefit of the exemption therein created, he must replevy it before it is sold under the distress-wan'ant, and he has no other remedy. 2. Same. Indemnifying hond. Action thereon. In a case of attachment for rent, the sheriff to whom the writ is directed cannot, before making a levy upon personal property found on the demised premises, demand of the plaintiff an indemnifying bond; and if such bond be given, it is voluntary and void, and will not support an action by a third person claiming to have owned the property levied upon.