Jopp v. Kegel

Cahill, J. This suit was commenced in justice’s court. The plaintiff had judgment for $130.25. The defendant Kegel filed an affidavit and bond for appeal to the circuit court. In his affidavit for appeal, he stated that he made the same in behalf of himself and Joseph Kemp. He also alleged— “That such judgment was not in accordance with the just rights of the said Joseph Kemp and this deponent, and that this deponent and Joseph Kemp, conceiving themselves aggrieved thereby, appeal therefrom to the circuit court of the county of Wayne.” ■ The bond on appeal was made and signed by Kegel, as principal, and. Henry Michelsen, as surety, but was not signed by Joseph Kemp, nor by any one as his surety. The defendant Kegel entered " his appearanee in the circuit court by Edward A. G-ott, his attorney. The defendant Kemp did not enter any appearance. The case was duly noticed for trial upon Kegel’s attorney for the September term, 1890. When the case was called for trial in the circuit court, the plaintiff was allowed to put in his testimony in support of his case, and rested. The defendants offered no testimony. The counsel for defendant Kegel requested the court to direct a verdict for the defendants, on thé ground that no notice of trial had been served on defendant Kemp, and [52] that he was not represented in court. The court charged as requested by counsel for defendant Kegel, and plaintiff's counsel excepted. This ruling was erroneous. The defendant Kemp had not perfected his appeal. The statute requires that the party appealing shall give a bond to the adverse party, which shall be executed by appellant with one or more sureties, or by two or more sufficient sureties without the appellant. How. Stat. § 7000. By the next section, the sureties are required to justify their responsibility on oath. •As already stated, Kemp had neither joined in the appeal-bond himself nor had it been executed by two sufficient sureties on his behalf. The judgment against him in justice's court, therefore, remained unaffected by Kegel’s appeal. Kemp was not entitled to enter any appearance in the circuit, nor to any notice of trial there. The judgment is reversed, and a new trial granted. The other Justices concurred.