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22 Tex. 166

Rutherford v. Harris

Texas Supreme Court

Decided July 1, 1858

Texas Supreme Court · decided 1858-07-01

<p>Where judgment was rendered in favor of a plaintiff, against the maker and endorsers of a promissory note, and also in favor of the maker, against one of the endorsers on an obligation of indemnity; and, upon motion of tbe maker, a new trial was granted, as to him only; and the plaintiff having dismissed his suit as to the maker, the court ordered execution to issue .on the judgment against the endorsers; there being no allegation, in the pleadings, that the maker of the note resided beyond tbe limits of the State, or in a county not-organized, or was insolvent, or that plaeed the parties in any other-relation to each other, than that of maker and endorsers; to permit the discontinuance of the suit, as to the maker, was in direct violation of the statute. (Hart. Dig. Art. 670, 705.)</p> <p>The judgment in favor of the maker, against the endorsers, was dependent upon that of the plaintiff against him; and the latter being set aside, left no foundation for the former.</p>

Decided 1858-07-01

Roberts, J.

¶1Harris brought suit against Atkinson, as the maker, and Rutherford and Thompson, as the endorsers of a promissory note, which was executed by Atkinson, in favor of Rutherford and Thompson, and by them assigned to Harris. Atkinson filed an answer, and the other defendants did not. Upon the trial, a judgment was rendered in favor of Harris, against all the defendants, and in favor of Atkinson, against Thompson, on an obligation of indemnity; both being for the amount due on the note. Atkinson moved for a new trial, which was granted, as to him only. Whereupon the plaintiff below, Harris, dismissed his suit as to Atkinson, and the court ordered execution to issue on the judgment rendered against Rutherford and Thompson.

¶2There was no allegation in the pleadings, that Atkinson, the principal, and the maker of the note, resided beyond the limits of the State, or in a county not organized, or was insolvent. Nor was there any other fact alleged or shown, which placed Rutherford and Thompson in any other relation towards Harris, *168than that of endorsers. The discontinuance of the suit, then, as to Atkinson, was in direct violation of the statute. (Hart. Dig. Art. 670, 705.) This question was decided in the case of Cook & Cornelius v. Henderson, 18 Tex. Rep. 303. The judgment of Atkinson against Thompson, was dependent upon that of Harris against Atkinson; and the latter being set aside, left no foundation for the former. Judgment is reversed, and cause remanded.

¶3Reversed and remanded.

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