21 Colo. 74 | Colo. | 1895
delivered the opinion of the court.
The evidence introduced upon the trial was not preserved by a bill of exceptions, and our review is therefore limited to the record proper. The foregoing statement sufficiently presents the rulings upon which error is assigned. These may be summarized under three heads: First, that the court erred in denying motion for judgment upon the pleadings; second, in dismissing the counterclaim; third, in summoning, a jury of twelve on its own motion, to try the issue of fact. In support of the first proposition, it is contended by plaintiff in error that the specific denials in the replication to his cross complaint limited the general denial, and being in
It is unnecessary to discuss the third question presented, since the right of the court to call a jury to answer questions of fact in chancery eases is too well settled to admit of controversy ; and we know of no rule that limits the court in calling a full jury for that purpose. And, furthermore, the verdict of the jury in such case being merely advisory, the court may disregard it and decide the issue of fact for itself on the evidence produced. The judgment must be reversed and the cause remanded with directions to the court below to reinstate the cross complaint of plaintiff in error and to grant him the relief he is entitled to thereon as against his codefendant Newell, and decree to him the surplus, if any, derived from the sale of the mortgaged premises, after satisfying therefrom the prior lien of defendant in error. The plaintiff in error having failed to make Newell a party fo the proceeding, and the defendant in error being entitled to the decree in his favor, the cost in this court must be assessed against plaintiff in erroi\
Reversed.