Montgomery v. Patterson
Montgomery v. Patterson
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
This was an ejectment for fifty aeres of land in Mifflin county, which was referred to arbitrators under the compulsory arbitration act. The plaintiff had sold, but not conveyed the land to the defendant, and the purchase money not having been paid, this ejectment was brought for the purpose of compelling payment. The arbitrators awarded a sum of money to be paid by the defendant to the plaintiffs. The record exhibits a very strange proceeding indeed, for, on this award for money, the plaintiff sued out a habere facias possessionem for the land, with a fieri facias for the costs of suit. This award, according to the act of assembly, stands for a judgment. And it is clearly erroneous, because the action was brought for the recovery of land and not for money. The plaintiff might have sued for the money, and recovered it j but not having parted with the legal estate, he thought
Judgment and execution reversed, and restitution awarded both of the land and money which have been taken from the defendants. The record is to be remitted to the Court of Common of Pleas, in order that such further proceedings may be had as justice may require.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.