Humfeldt v. Moles

Holcomb, J. But one question is presented for decision, and that is whether there has been a final determination of a controversy, in which a temporary injunction was issued, so as to give rise to a cause of action on a supersedeas bond given to keep the injunction in force pending a final termination of the action. It appears that, in a controversy over the right to the possession of certain real estate, the plaintiff [449] in the action obtained an interlocutory order of injunction against the defendant, restraining him from molesting or in any way interfering with .the possession of the plaintiff of . the real estate involved in the controversy. After a hearing at chambers an order was entered dissolving the temporary injunction, and, to maintain the same in force notwithstanding the order of dissolution, the amount of a supersedeas bond was asked to be fixed, which was done, and a bond duty given and approved for the purpose of superseding the order of dissolution until the case could be finally heard in term time on the issues raised by the pleadings. Afterwards, and before a trial on the merits, the plaintiff died. No effort was made by any one of the parties interested, or by those who might make the application, to have the action revived in the name of the legal representatives or successors in interest, and after the lapse of more than a year after the death of the plaintiff the tidal court entered the following order in said cause: “December 14, .1895. It being suggested to the court that the plaintiff in this action is dead, this cause is dismissed by the court and complete record waived.” Thereafter suit was instituted on the supersedeas bond, given to hold the injunction in force, against the sureties thereon; and, after the issues were formed, a trial ivas had, resulting in a judgment in favor of the plaintiff in the action. The defendant sureties prosecute error, insisting that the petition and the evidence will not support a recovery, because the action in which the supersedeas bond was given has never been finally determined, and that it has never been finally adjudicated that the injunction was wrongfully issued. It is urged that the order of the district court herein-before set forth operated only to strike the cause from the docket, and is not such a final disposition as will authorize a suit on the injunction bond. ' We regard it otherwise. The death of the plaintiff abated the action permanently, unless revived in the name of the proper parties by some of the modes prescribed by law. There has been no attempt whatever to have the action revived. It apparently has [450] been abandoned by those succeeding to the interest of the deceased plaintiff, and the effect of the order is a dismissal for want of prosecution by those entitled to succeed to the rights and interest of the plaintiff. Whether the order be regarded what its language imports, or as striking the cause from the docket as provided by section 468 of the Code, the effect, so far as the liability of the sureties on the injunction bond is concerned, is the same. The order operates as a dissolution of the injunction, and a cause of action accrues on the bond. Gold v. Johnson, 59 Ill., 62; 2 High, Injunctions [3d ed.], sec. 1476. It is, in all probability, now too late to revive the action either by an original proceeding and the issuance of process, or by the summary method provided by statute on a conditional order, and such was its condition at the time this action was begun ; and yet will it be contended that, conceding the action has permanently, abated by the death of the plaintiff, and no steps taken to have it revived within the time recognized by law or in equity, the obligee in the supersedeas bond is without remedy for the damages sustained because the injunction was wrongfully sued out? The case, in principle, is somewhat analogous to Bell v. Walker, 54 Nebr., 222, arising on a supersedeas bond given for the purpose of an appeal. In that case it is held: “The death of the principal in a supersedeas bond while the cause is pending in the appellate court does not release the surety from liability, nor is he discharged by the failure to have the action revived.” Says Norval, J., writing the opinion: “It is suggested that the surety was discharged by the failure of Walker to have the action revived in the name of White’s representative. This argument is without merit. While the former, had he so desired, might have had the action revived, the law imposed no duty upon him to secure an order of revivor to be entered..” The defendant in the injunction suit had the right to expect the injunction action would be prosecuted with due diligence, and a final determination reached without unnecessary delay. This was contemplated in the giving of the supersedeas bond. He [451] was entitled to have it dismissed for want of prosecution, had the facts warranted; and this would be a final determination of the cause, and an adjudication that the injunction was wrongfully issued, as effectually as though it had been so decided in express terms, and an action would thereupon lie on the bond for the damages, if any, suffered. The action in which the injunction issued abated by the death of the plaintiff. It was the duty .of those interested to have it revived in the name of the proper party in the manner provided by law. This has not been done, and some disposition must be made of the case. The abatement, for the reasons stated, having become permanent, the effect is to finally terminate the action in Avhich the injunction ■ Avas issued, and authorize a recovery, under the terms and conditions of the supersedeas bond, for whatever damages were sustained by the person for whose benefit it was given. The judgment of the district court is Affirmed.