{
  "id": 8626564,
  "name": "J. A. SINK et al. v. A. E. HIRE et al.",
  "name_abbreviation": "Sink v. Hire",
  "decision_date": "1936-06-30",
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:57:05.250790+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "J. A. SINK et al. v. A. E. HIRE et al."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Stacy, C. J.\nNo rights of the defendants having attached by plea, decretal order, verdict, or otherwise, it would seem the court\u2019s refusal to allow the plaintiffs to suffer a voluntary nonsuit is at variance with the practice established by a number of decisions. Oil Co. v. Shore, 171 N. C., 51, 87 S. E., 938; Olmsted v. Smith, 133 N. C., 584, 45 S. E., 953; Pass v. Pass, 109 N. C., 484, 13 S. E., 908; Bynum v. Powe, 97 N. C., 374, 2 S. E., 170; Graham v. Tate, 77 N. C., 120. In the absence of some right attaching which the defendant is entitled to have determined in the action, it is generally understood that \u201cthe plaintiff can take a nonsuit, as a matter of right, at any time before verdict.\u201d Mfg. Co. v. Buxton, 105 N. C., 74, 11 S. E., 264; Campbell v. Power Co., 166 N. C., 488, 82 S. E., 842; Cahoon v. Brinkley, 168 N. C., 257, 84 S. E., 263; Carpenter v. Hanes, 167 N. C., 551, 83 S. E., 577; Caldwell v. Caldwell, 189 N. C., 805, 128 S. E., 329; Bank v. Stewart, 93 N. C., 402.\nThe party retiring is not, in a strict sense, said to take a nonsuit, \u201cbut is allowed to withdraw or depart with costs against him.\u201d Gatewood v. Leak, 99 N. C., 363, 6 S. E., 706; Lafoon v. Shearin, 95 N. C., 391. \u201cAs the plaintiff possessed the power of becoming nonsuit when called before verdict, it became a general practice to allow him to do so at any time before verdict, when he desired from any cause to abandon his action. So long as he is merely a plaintiff, the court has no means by which he can be compelled to appear and prosecute his suit against his will, and no injury can result from allowing him to abandon it\u201d \u2014 Rodman, J., in McKesson v. Mendenhall, 64 N. C., 502. The following cases are also in point and to the same effect: In re Baker, 187 N. C., 257, 121 S. E., 455; Dawson v. Thigpen, 137 N. C., 462, 49 S. E., 959; Rumbough v. Young, 119 N. C., 567, 26 S. E., 143.\nThe trial court seems to have interpreted the answer as setting up a cross action, but res judicata is usually regarded a plea in bar. 15 R. C. L., 1045, et seq. Indeed, the appropriateness of a cross action in the present proceeding may be doubted. S. v. Lbr. Co., 199 N. C., 199, 154 S. E., 72.\nThe principles announced in R. R. v. R. R., 148 N. C., 59, 61 S. E., 683; Waddell v. Aycock, 195 N. C., 268, 142 S. E., 10, and others of similar import, cited and relied upon by defendants, are not applicable to tbe present record. Killian v. Chair Co., 202 N. C., 23, 161 S. E., 546.\nThe verdict and judgment will be stricken out and the cause remanded for judgment dismissing the action as in ease of nonsuit.\nReversed.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Stacy, C. J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Hlledge & Wells and Parrish & Deal for plaintiffs, appellants.",
      "Manly, Hendren & Womble and W. P. Sandridge for defendants, appellees."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "J. A. SINK et al. v. A. E. HIRE et al.\n(Filed 30 June, 1936.)\nTrial D e \u2014 Where answer does not entitle defendants to affirmative relief, plaintiff may take voluntary nonsuit before verdict as matter of right.\nPlaintiffs instituted this action to restrain collection of drainage assessments, to remove cloud on title, and to have defendant drainage district declared null and void. Defendants denied the allegations of the complaint and pleaded res judicata,. During the progress of the trial one of plaintiffs\u2019 attorneys became ill and plaintiffs sought a voluntary nonsuit. Defendants objected on the ground that the action was a proceeding in rem, and the trial court refused to permit plaintiffs to take a nonsuit. Held: The plea of res judicata is a plea in bar and does not set up a cross action, and no rights having attached in defendants\u2019 favor which they were entitled to have determined in the action, plaintiffs were entitled to take a voluntary nonsuit as a matter of right.\nAppeal by plaintiffs from Hill, Special Judge, at November Term, 1935, of Eoesyth.\nCivil action to restrain collection of drainage assessments, to remove cloud from title, and to have Forsyth County Drainage District No. 2 declared null and void.\nAnswer by defendants denying allegations of complaint, pleading res judicata, and praying that plaintiffs\u2019 action be dismissed.\nDuring the progress of the trial, J. M. Wells, Jr., leading counsel for plaintiffs, was taken ill and was unable to appear in court on the second day; whereupon other counsel for plaintiffs asked that a juror be withdrawn and a mistrial ordered, as they were not able to proceed without the presence and assistance of Mr. Wells. Overruled; exception.\nThe plaintiffs then announced in open court that they elected to take a voluntary nonsuit. Objection by defendants on the ground that the action is a proceeding in re to. The court declined to permit the plaintiffs to take a nonsuit. Exception.\nFrom verdict and judgment for defendants the plaintiffs appeal, assigning errors.\nHlledge & Wells and Parrish & Deal for plaintiffs, appellants.\nManly, Hendren & Womble and W. P. Sandridge for defendants, appellees."
  },
  "file_name": "0402-01",
  "first_page_order": 468,
  "last_page_order": 470
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