Bennett v. West

88 N.E. 309, 44 Ind. App. 398, 1909 Ind. App. LEXIS 189

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: May 12, 1909
• Docket: No. 6,656
• Status: Published

Opinion

Roby, J.

Suit by appellant to enjoin appellees from closing up an alleged roadway. A demurrer was sustained to the first paragraph of complaint, and answers in general denial were filed to the second and third paragraphs. Special findings were made and conclusions of law stated thereon. The court filed its findings and conclusions of law on March 11, 1907, and while they were being read appellant moved to dismiss the case. He withdrew this motion March 18, and filed exceptions to the conclusions of law and also a motion to make the special findings more specific. This motion was overruled March 30 (last day of the March term), to which ruling the appellant excepted. He then filed a motion for a venire de novo. This motion was overruled May 20 (first day of the May term), to which ruling the appellant excepted. He then filed a motion for a new trial. Appellees made a motion to strike the motion for a new trial from the files, for the reason that it was not filed within the time allowed by the statute. This motion was sustained. Appellant excepted and filed a motion for judgment on the special findings. This was overruled, and on motion of the appellees judgment was rendered, in accordance with the conclusions of law, in their favor.

1. The exception to the conclusions of law upon the facts specially found came too late. Such exception must be taken at the time the finding of the court is filed. Barner v. Bayless (1893), 134 Ind. 600; Helms v. Wagner (1885), 102 Ind. 385, 386; Hull v. Louth (1887), 109 Ind. 315, 333, 58 Am. Rep. 405; Smith v. McKean (1885), 99 Ind. 101.

It has been stated that exceptions to conclusions of law must be taken before the excepting party makes any other step. Dickson v. Rose (1882), 87 Ind. 103; Helms v. Wagner, supra. This does not impliedly authorize any delay in taking the exception. In Hull v. Louth, supra, the special findings and the conclusions of law thereon were announced December 31, and an attempt to take the exceptions on January 3. The fact that the motion to dismiss was pending cannot affect the rule. The pendency of such motion did not prevent an exception. It has frequently been held that, in respect to the time when an exception should be taken, the provision of the code (§656 Burns 1908, §626 R. S. 1881) is mandatory. Dickson v. Rose, supra.

2. No error was committed in overruling appellant’s motions for additional findings and for a venire de novo. The failure to state the existence of a fact is equivalent to a finding against the party upon whom the burden of proof rests. Brazil Block Coal Co. v. Hoodlet (1891), 129 Ind. 327; Pittsburgh, etc., R. Co. v. Burton (1894), 139 Ind. 357, 364.

3. Motions to make additional findings are not recognized by the Indiana code. Leedy v. Capital Nat. Bank (1905), 35 Ind. App. 247; Allen v. Hollingshead (1900), 155 Ind. 178; Windfall, etc., Oil Co. v. Terwilliger (1899), 152 Ind. 364; Sharp v. Malia (1890), 124 Ind. 407. The findings are not so defective that a judgment cannot be rendered thereon. The proper remedy is by a motion for a new trial. Maxwell v. Wright (1903), 160 Ind. 515; Deeter v. Sellers (1885), 102 Ind. 458, 460; Graham v. State, ex rel. (1879), 66 Ind. 386, 394; Citizens Bank v. Bolen (1889), 121 Ind. 301, 304.

4. 5. The motion for a new trial was not filed until the term after the decision was rendered. It was properly overruled. §587 Burns 1908, §561 R. S. 1881; Radabaugh v. Silvers (1893), 135 Ind. 605, 611; McIntosh v. Zaring (1898), 150 Ind. 301. The court did not err in overruling appellant’s motion for judgment on the special findings. Such motion presents no question. Cruzan v. Smith (1872), 41 Ind. 288; Smith v. Davidson (1873), 45 Ind. 396.

6. This case was tried upon the theory that the way sought to be closed was a private right of way. The facts stated in the findings show it to be a public highway. Gillespie v. Duling (1908), 41 Ind. App. 217; McClaskey v. McDaniel (1906), 37 Ind. App. 59; Louisville, etc., R. Co. v. Etzler (1892), 3 Ind. App. 562; Pitser v. McCreery (1909), 172 Ind. 663.

Judgment affirmed.