Opinion
6834
March 30, 1908.
Before ALDRICH, J., Lancaster, June, 1907. Affirmed.
Action by W.B. Cauthen, administrator, and Arista Cauthen against Alexander Cauthen et al. From Circuit order of final settlement, plaintiff W.B. Cauthen appeals.
Messrs. W.C. Hough and R.B. Allison, for appellant.
Mr. Ernest Moore, contra.
March 30, 1908. The opinion of the Court was delivered by
This case has been before this Court twice before ( 70 S.C. 167, 49 S.E., 321, and 76 S.C. 226) . Full statements of facts were made in the former appeals. This appeal is from an order of Judge James Aldrich made to carry into effect the last decree of this Court.
The contention of the appellant W.B. Cauthen that the Circuit decree is not in conformity with the judgment of this Court rests on misapprehension. As we understand, W.B. Cauthen has been in possession of the land since he bid it off on 4th December, 1905. He is, therefore, liable for the interest on his bid less all the credits which were established in his favor by the former judgment of this Court. This is the scheme adopted by Judge Aldrich in his decree.
The following statement will show that Cauthen owes the clerk on his bid $2,846.87, with interest from 4th December, 1905:
The 470-acre tract brought ........................ $1,825 00 The 384-acre tract brought ........................ 6,000 00 _________ Gross sales ....................................... $7,825 00 Amount of costs as taxed .......................... 448 85 _________ Net sales ...................................... $7,376 15 Amount of judgment or claim reported by referee, ordered to be paid first ......................... $3,299 64 Interest on same from 26th September, 1905, the date to which referee computed, to 4th December, 1905, the date of sale ................... 43 62 _________ 3,343 26 _________ Surplus proceeds of sale ................ $4,032 89 The interest of W.B. Cauthen in the surplus proceeds of sale is threetenths ................................. 1,209 87 _________ Amount of Cauthen's bid ................ $6,000 00 Amount of claim reported by referee, $3,299.64, less $1,400.00 paid Green Hines for Cauthen ............ $1,899 64 Interest on amount reported by referee, $3,299.64 from 26th September, 1905, to 4th December, 1905. 43 62 Cauthen's interest in the surplus proceeds of sale ............................ 1,209 87 _________ 3,153 13 _________ All that Cauthen could be required to pay at the time of the sale ....... $2,846 87 He, therefore, owes this amount and interest thereon from 4th December, 1905.This is the statement on which appellant's counsel claims the settlement should be made, and it carries out the decree of Judge Aldrich. It is true the decree did not in express words provide for the payment of the costs, but we think that was implied, and if appellant's attorney regarded it not sufficiently clear on this point, application should have been made to Judge Aldrich to provide for the costs.
As we understand, the sum of $448.85 deducted from the bids in the foregoing statement covers all costs. As to part of this taxation of costs there is litigation between the parties, and the fund reserved to pay the disputed costs will be distributed hereafter according to the result of the litigation about the costs.
The judgment of this Court is, that the judgment of the Circuit Court be affirmed.