44 N.C. 380 | N.C. | 1853
"The levy of the constable was endorsed upon a justice's (381) judgment in the following words: `Levied this execution upon Leonard Higdon's land, lying on Carny Fork.' It appeared that under this levy, after it had been returned to the county court, and an order of sale obtained, the land was sold by the sheriff, and one John B. Allison became the purchaser, at $115. It appeared, also, that one Chasteen had the legal title previously to that time, and had contracted with the defendant, Leonard, for the sale of it, and that the latter had paid the price agreed on, but had not taken a deed when the said levy was made. On the part of the defendants in the rule, it appeared that Samuel, the son of Leonard, had made a contract with his father for the purchase of his interest in said land, and that in pursuance of this agreement, and by the direction of Leonard, the said Chasteen had, after the sheriff's sale, accordingly made title to the land to Samuel.
"One Coward testified that the lands were as well identified in said levy, as they would be by a strict compliance with the words of the statute; that no other land adjoined them, except that of the State, *353 known as the `speculation claim,' covering a large tract of country, and that Leonard Higdon then lived on said land and had no other in the county so far as was then known; that since that time he had seen a deed to him for other lands on Carny Fork, but this was not generally known at the time of the levy. Another witness testified that the land was as well identified in the levy, as it would have been by adopting the words of the statute, and the public generally knew the land in question by the description in the levy. Higdon lived on it at the time, and so far as was generally known, had no other land in the county.
"Another witness testified, that as agent of J. B. Allison, he went to the defendant, Leonard, soon after the sale, and told him he might redeem the land by paying what it sold for, or that Allison would buy from him, by increasing the price to what the land was worth. Said Leonard replied, he had not the money with which to redeem the land, and that he must sell it. And it was then agreed between them, that the land was worth $325, which sum the witness paid to him for said Allison, it including the amount bid at the sale. Thereupon said Leonard surrendered the possession to Allison, who conveyed to the plaintiffs; and his deed was exhibited. (382)
"It also appeared in evidence, that an action of ejectment, by Samuel Higdon, against the plaintiffs, for the premises in question, is now pending in the Superior Court of Haywood County, and has been pending for several years."
The defendants' counsel objected to the amendment, for that the court had not the power to make it — that it could not take cognizance of it upon the case sent up from the county court — and that if it had the power, the evidence did not warrant its exercise here.
His Honor gave judgment making the rule absolute, and the defendants appealed to the Supreme Court. Our jurisdiction in regard to amendments in the court below, is confined to the question of power; with its discretion in the exercise of the power, supposing the court below to have it, we have no concern.
The subject may be divided into three classes: (1) Every court has ample power to permit amendments in the process and pleading of any suit pending before it. Quiett v. Boon,
The judgment must be reversed and the rule discharged, and judgment against the plaintiff for costs.
PER CURIAM. Judgment reversed, and the rule discharged.
Cited: Marshall v. Fisher,