Pattison v. Shaw
Pattison and Others v. Shaw
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Summary
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Opinion of the Court
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Davison, J.
Shaw, on the 19th of November, 1852, filed a bill in equity, having for its object the foreclosure of a mortgage executed to him on the 9th of June, 1852, by one Francis Conwell. In July following, Conwell conveyed the *378 mortgaged premises to Pattison, the appellant, subject to Shaw’s incumbrance; it being stipulated as part of the consideration, in the deed of Conwell, that Pattison should pay Shaw’s debt. The bill does not aver that Conwell had a mortgageable interest in the land. In other respects it is in the common form.
G. Holland, for the appellants. J D. Howland, for the appellee.
All the defendants except Pattison were defaulted. He answered and filed Ms cross-bill. No defence is set up by the answer; but in his bill he alleges that the premises, when deeded to him, were incumbered by a mortgage to the state of Indiana, which is duly recorded; and he prays that the state be made a defendant. The Court sustained a demurrer to the cross-bill, and rendered a decree of foreclosure.
The original bill, it is said, is defective, because it does not allege title in the mortgagor when he executed the mortgage. This objection was not raised in the Circuit Court; and we think it is one which, if available at all, should have been made at the earliest stage of the proceedings. It is evidently too late to make such objection in the first instance in this Court.
But was the state a necessary party ? It is not shown whether her incumbrance was prior or subsequent to that of the appellee. If it was prior, the authorities seem to be decisive that she was not a necessary party, because her rights were paramount; nor is it clear that the complainant would have been positively required to make a subsequent mortgagee a party, though, at his election, he might have done so. Story’s Eq. PL, s. 193, and notes. In the present case the answer is too indefinite to afford any data upon which to decide the point under consideration. Moreover, we know of no rule of practice that would authorize the state to be made a party defendant in any cause. The decree must be affirmed.
Per Curiam.
The decree is affirmed, with 2 per cent, damages and costs.
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