33 Ind. 50 | Ind. | 1870
This was a suit by a ditching association, to enforce a lien for benefits assessed against 'the appellee’s lands. The assessment upon which, the suit was founded was as follows: “A schedule of lands and assessment o'f benefits to the same caused by the construction of the ditch contemplated to be constructed by the Jordan Ditching and Draining Association, all of which lands are situated in Madison county, and State of Indiana, and appraised by James M. Dehority, Eli Davis, and Charles O. McClade.
Matthias Wagoner S. E. & of N. W. & Sec. 18, T. 21, N. R. 7 E., 40 acres. $35.00.”
Appended to it was an affidavit of the three persons named as appraisers, that the “ foregoing is a true and correct assessment of wet lands,” &c.
The court below held this to be insufficient. Two defects are suggested in argument: 1. That the description of the' tract of land ivas insufficient. 2. That it does not appear to be an assessments of benefits. Of the first ob- ’ jection it is sufficient to say that the description would be good in a deed or mortgage, the abbreviations being as well understood in this State as the words for which they stand. The second is sufficiently answered by reading the instrument.
The appellee also suggests that either the complaint, or articles of association, or assessment, should show the beginning and terminus of the ditch. Upon the 'demurrer to the complaint, which does not, in this -case, and need not, •contain the articles of association, or allege their substance,
Indeed, in some cases expensive surveys must precede the location of the works and determine their description. We know of no law which requires that all this outlay shall occur before the collection of assessments, and before suit can be maintained against persons to be benefitted.
Reversed, with costs, and remanded, with directions to overrule the demurrer to the complaint.