Viewing page 136 of 233

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

4. Report Continued. 

[[5 columned table]]
| Parties to action | Nature of Complaint | Date of Trial | Synopsis of Evidence | Decision. |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

| Jos Hemmons Plaintiff -Vs- J. V Crute Defendant | Unlawful seizure and retention of a Mule the property of the U.S. which Mule was taken up as astray by Plaintiff in April 1865 after the Armies had passed. | Aug 31, 1867 | The Plaintiff whose Wife was in the Employ of Defendant, in April 1865 happened one day, to be near the gate leaving from Defts yard, to the public road - while there a Govmt Wagon, passed, and the Mule in question, being with it, laid down in the road near the gate, and was left there by the teamster, Plaintiff took the mule & placed him in Defts yard, for safety - subsequently Deft seized the said Mule, and has since retained him, claiming that he ordered Plff to take said Mule. 
- Defendant to prove that Plff took up said Mule in obedience to his (Dfts) order, introduced Marcus, a simple minded boy, about 10 years old, but whose absence from the plantation at that time, was proven by four witnesses. | That the Mule in question is the property of the U.S. and the party who first discovered it, in the road and took it up as astray or abandoned, is entitled to its possession, until proper orders are given for its final disposition Ordered, 
That the said Mule be restored to Plaintiff, he giving Bonds in the sum of One Hundred dollars for its safe keeping, & retention until called for by Government Authority. 

Decision appealed from, and papers to be forwarded as soon as practicable. |

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-14 07:26:50