26 Mo. 180 | Mo. | 1858
delivered the opinion of the court.
The writ in this case was issued August 23, 1856, to the sheriff of Cole county, and was returnable to the next term, in February. At the adjourned February term, in May, 1857, leave was given to the defendant to answer thirty days before the next term, and on the 28th of July following an answer was filed. The answer purports to state matter only in abatement. It avers that at the commencement of the suit the plaintiff was a resident of Cole county and the de
The answer presented immaterial issues. That the defendant resided in Pettis made no difference, if he was found in Cole; and, if the return stated that he was so found, the fact "*could not be disputed, and the only remedy was by an action against the sheriff for a false return.
It is too late to object to the return on a summons after a defendant has appeared and obtained time to answer, and afterwards answers either to the merits or in abatement. The objection, in proper form, to the sufficiency of a return, should be the first step taken by the defendant in a cause.
The other judges concurring, the judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded, with leave to the defendant to answer to the merits.