15 Kan. 372 | Kan. | 1875
This was an action of replevin, brought by the plaintiff in error, plaintiff below, against the defendant, a special constable. It was first tried before a justice of the peace, and then on appeal in the district court. On both trials judgment was rendered against the plaintiff. The evidence was briefly to this effect — that the property belonged to the plaintiff, and that it was taken by the defendant upon an execution issued by a justice of the peace. The judgment was in favor of John M. Hatfield, and against J. C. Price, C. H. Norton, E. L. Osborn, and J. W. Borton, officers of the Wilton Town Company. The execution was as follows :
“To G. 8. Humphrey, Special Constable:
“ You are commanded to take into your possession enough of the personal property of the Wilton Town Company to satisfy a judgment of $2.55, together with all costs that have or may accrue in a case wherein John M. Hatfield was plaintiff, and C. H. Norton and J. W. Borton, officers of the Wilton Town Company, defendants, rendered this 20th day of February, 1874, before Hiram Bersie, a justice of the peace in and for Lane township, Greenwood county, Kansas. Make legal service and due return according to law. Dated this 3d day of March. • Hiram Bersie, J. P.”
This is one of those petty cases which never ought to be brought to this court, one in which the principal matter in interest is now the costs; and one in which it is doubtful whether strict rules of law ought to be enforced in the construction of the judgment and process of a justice .of the peace, or great allowance made for his ignorance of legal phrase, for the purpose of giving effect to the probable intention of the magistrate. For it cannot be doubted, that an officer is not protected in seizing the property of A. under an execution which recites only a judgment against B., and is issued upon a judgment only against B., notwithstanding it commands him to seize the property of A. So that if this judgment was really against the officers of the Town Com
The judgment will be affirmed.