Hubbard v. Corum

Per Curiam: Armitage S. C. Forbes and husband executed a mortgage on real estate, and thereafter sold the property to defendant in error L. M. Corum, subject to the mortgage. Plaintiff in error, the owner of the promissory note secured by this mortgage, brought his action to foreclose the mortgage and obtained service by publication. Defendant in error L. M. Corum, the holder of the legal title to the property, was not named in- the action or proceeding. By mistake the name of L. M. Crum was used. After decree, sale thereunder, and deed executed by the sheriff, the purchaser attempted to.secure possession of the mortgaged premises under the deed. His right of possession was denied by Corum on the ground that the entire action and proceedings, as to him, were void for want of jurisdiction. Thereupon Hubbard commenced this suit against Corum, his wife, and' other parties in interest, to obtain a foreclosure of the mortgage. Defense was made to this action by Corum. [310] The trial court gave judgment for defendants on the ground that the mortgage, having 'been once foreclosed, a second decree of foreclosure cannot be had. This was error. The decree of foreclosure rendered upon constructive service against L. M. Crum did not bind L. M. Corum, the holder of the legal title. As to him the mortgage has not been foreclosed, and he, not being bound by the former decree, cannot use it for the purpose of defeating the just rights of the owner of the mortgage while holding his title to the property in subservience to this mortgage. The judgment is reversed, and cause remanded for further proceedings in conformity with this opinion. Smith, Cunningham, Greene, Pollock, JJ..