Coots v. Morgan's Administrator

Soott, Judge, delivered the opinion of the court. We always think it very strange, when a case is tried and decided in the court below, that it should not appear on what ground it was determined. We can not find out from the record, nor do the counsel on either side in this court know the ground on which this cause went off in the court below. If the evidence offered in support of the plaintiff’s demand was re [524] jected because bis account was made out against “Albert Gr. Morgan” and not against bis estate, or tbe defendant Martin Snider, tbe administrator of A. Gr. Morgan, deceased, we are of opinion that it was error. When an account is contracted with tbe deceased himself, it is usual to make it out against him by name, and this seems to be tbe correct way. Of course it must appear, when suit is brought on tbe account, that it is brought against his executor or administrator. This sufficiently appears in tbe cause before us. Whether A. G. Morgan was personally liable for the demand of tbe plaintiff would depend on the evidence. If A. G. Morgan employed tbe plaintiff to perform services for a dead man’s estate, he is personally liable for them, unless tbe contract was so framed by the parties as to exclude bis liability. As to the point that tbe motion for a new trial and for a review was not made for years after tbe judgment, we do not consider that this was a case in which, according to tbe present practice, any motion for a review or new trial was necessary. Tbe court refused to bear any evidence, and gave judgment against tbe plaintiff for the costs. This was error, and the party was entitled to his writ of error on the record, as it appears that he excepted to the action of the court. Judge Ryland concurring, the judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded. Judge Leonard absent.