28 Ind. 59 | Ind. | 1867
— Carter sued Goldsberry in the court below on a promissory note. The summons was served on the
The affidavit is defective in not stating the nature of the defense. Frost et al. v. Dodge et al., 15 Ind. 139, and the authorities therein cited. The default can only be set aside to let in .a defense to the merits, and the nature of the defense must be shown; it is not enough to state that the defendant believes he has a meritorious defense to the action.
The pendency of the compromise was not alone a sufficient excuse for failing to appear and plead to the action. The conduct or declarations of the plaintiff which put the defendant off his guard ought to have been shown.
The judgment is affirmed, with costs.