Valentine v. Britton. , 127 N.C. 57 ( 1900 )

FAIRCLOTH, C. J., concurs in result only. Ruffin N. White, on 25 May, 1886, obtained a judgment in Bertie against T. W. Brown, John Wilson and Josiah Mizell and on the same day, and in the same Court, he obtained another judgment against C. J. Morris and Josiah Mizell. Both these judgments were docketed in the above order in Book B, page 163, and indexed. On the cross-index, however, the only entry containing Mizell's name is one entry, "J. Mizell et al., defendants. R. M. White, plaintiff. Judgment Docket Book B page 163." Subsequently the plaintiffs, administrators of Valentine. obtained a judgment against Josiah Mizell and another, which was docketed in Bertie, 9 July, 1892, and properly indexed and cross-indexed. The answer admits as to the two White judgments that "the first one docketed was indexed and cross-indexed," and has been duly satisfied. The defendant's contention however, is that the one cross-index above set forth, "J. Mizell et al., defendants." etc., by referring to Book B. page 163, is sufficient cross-indexing as to both judgments on that page and that, if it is not, it would be as much a reference to the second judgment as to the first. We concur with the defendant, as was also held by the Court below, that "J. Mizell," or "Jo. Mizell," was a sufficient cross-indexing for a judgment against "Josiah Mizell"; but we further concur with his Honor that where two judgments, taken by the same plaintiff, are docketed against the same defendant, and only one is cross-indexed against that defendant, it is in law a cross-indexing of the judgment first entered on the judgment docket. Anyone turning to the page on the docket referred to in the cross-index (Book B, p. 163,) and finding the described (59) judgment against Jo. Mizell canceled, could not be expected to look further on same page for another judgment against him. The second judgment not having been cross-indexed (for only one judgment, White against Mizell, was cross-indexed), it was not a lien upon the realty of Mizell. Code, sec. 118; Hahn v. Mosely,119 N.C. 73; Dewey v. Sugg, 109 N.C. 328; Holman v. Miller, 103 N.C. 118. The defendant, administrator of Mizell, who sold the land to make assets, erred in applying any part of the proceeds to such judgment in preference to the judgment of the plaintiff, which was duly docketed, indexed, and cross-indexed, and which was therefore a valid lien upon the realty.

The administrator was properly taxed with the costs. It is a proceeding to subject him to liability for misapplication of the funds, and not to recover a debt out of the estate, against which the plaintiff already had a judgment, and hence section 1429 of The Code does not apply. Section 1459 applies to cases where the administrator unreasonably denies a claim filed under Code, sec. 1448. Hence, also, the exception as to the administrator's commissions needs not to be considered. Besides, the record shows that, after paying the plaintiff's judgment, there is a sufficiency in hand for that purpose.

The exception that it is not shown that the plaintiff ever presented his claim will not avail, as it is neither averred nor proved that the defendant had given the notice required by Code, sec. 1421. Love v. Ingram,104 N.C. 600.

No error.

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