Farmers' State Bank of Merkel v. Briggs
Farmers' State Bank of Merkel v. Briggs
Opinion of the Court
This appeal is prosecuted from a judgment of the district court of Jones county dismissing the -case because of insufficiency of the citation in stating the nature of plaintiff’s demand.
The Farmers’ State Bank of Merkel sued J. W. Briggs, a resident of Jones county, on three promissory notes. The petition, in its several paragraphs, fully described each note as to date of execution, due date, to whom payable, the amount,' the interest, and whether from date or maturity, its provision as^ *268 to attorney’s fees, that each note liad been placed in the hands of attorneys for collection and suit brought thereon and agreement to pay attorneys the attorney’s fees provided for in the notes, which was a reasonable compensation for the services, that the provision as to attorney’s fees had matured and inured to the benefit of plaintiff, and the suit included the attorney’s fees. The notes were fully copied in the petition and the legal effect of the execution and delivery of the notes stated. The petition alleged demand and failure to pay, and that each of the notes had been placed in the hands of attorneys for collection, and that by reason thereof the attorney’s fees were due as a part of the cause of action.
The petition asked for citation, for judgment for the principal, interest, and attorney’s fee on each of the notes, and for costs, and for relief, general and special. The citation stating the nature of plaintiff’s demand is as follows:
“A suit on three promissory notes executed by J. W. Briggs in favor of the Farmers’ State Bank of Merkel, Texas, aggregating the sum of $4,731.65, default having been made in the payment of the same.”
The citation was duly served and return made. Appellee did not appear nor file answer. After withdrawing its allegations and proof as to two of the notes, one for $1,400, and one for $140, and electing to take judgment on the note for $2,230, appellant moved the court to enter judgment in its favor for $2,230, interest, and attorney’s fees, and for costs. The court refused to enter a default judgment for appellant, as stated, “because of the insufficiency of the citation,” and inquired of appellant’s attorney if he desired to take any further action in the matter, and on the attorney’s reply that he did not, and was waiting for judgment by default, the court rendered judgment dismissing the case at plaintiff’s costs.
Reversed and remanded.
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Reference
- Full Case Name
- Farmers' State Bank of Merkel v. Briggs.
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- Published