Nash County v. Allen

Winborne, J. While appellants in their brief present nine questions as being involved on this appeal, the first elicits the determinative answer. The question: “Was the service of summons upon the defendant, S. E. Allen, by publication fatally defective?” The court held that it was, and, upon the record and facts found, we affirm. Decisions of this Court uniformly hold that where service of summons is made by publication, the requirements of the statute must be strictly followed, — and that everything necessary to dispense with personal service of summons must appear by affidavit. An affidavit on which publications *548 is predicated is fatally defective in the absence of ail allegation that the person on whom the summons is so served cannot, after due diligence be found within the State. Among these decisions are: Wheeler v. Cobb (1876), 75 N.C. 21, and Commrs. of Roxboro v. Bumpass (1951), 233 N.C. 190, 63 S.E. 2d 144. In the latter case Barnhill, J., reviews and cites authorities in this State. Also in Groce v. Groce (1938), 214 N.C. 398, 199 S.E. 388, opinion by Stacy, G. J., the pertinent cases are assembled. Likewise the decisions are listed in the Annotation 21 A.L.R. 2d 934 n. Further rehashing of the rule would be merely repetitious. Hence the judgment below is Affirmed.