Naeglin v. De Cordoba

by David Josiah Brewer

United States Supreme Court

171 U.S. 638

Naeglin  v.  De Cordoba

On March 29, 1886, the appellees, Doloritas Martin De Cordoba et al., filed their bill in the district court of the county of Mora, Fourth judicial district, territory of New Mexico, to establish their rights as the children and heirs of one Frederick Metzger. After answer the case was referred to a master, who reported findings of fact and conclusions of law in favor of the plaintiffs. Upon a hearing in the district court, a decree was entered adversely to the conclusions of the master, and for the defendants. On appeal to the supreme court of the territory, that decree was, on August 24, 1895, reversed, and one entered remanding the case to the district court, with instructions to enter a decree in conformity with the findings and conclusions of the master. 41 Pac. 526. Thereupon the defendants appealed to this court.

At the time of entering the decree, and also of overruling a petition for rehearing, no statement of facts was prepared by the supreme court, and no other determination of the facts than such as appears from the direction to enter a decree in conformity with the findings and recommendations of the master. But, after the supreme court had adjourned, an application was made to have the findings of fact made by the master incorporated into the record as a statement and finding of facts by that court, for the purpose of an appeal, and upon that application the following order was entered:

'And now the foregoing statement and finding as to the facts proven and established by the evidence in each of said causes are ordered to be incorporated in the record of said supreme court as part thereof, as fully as we may be thereunto empowered, the July term of the supreme court having been adjourned on the 26th day of September, A. D. 1896, and this order made and signed by each of the judges while in his district respectively.

'Thomas Smith, Chief Justice,

'Needham C. Collier Associate Justice,

'Supreme Court of New Mexico.

'Signed at Silver City, in the Third judicial district.

Gideon D. Bantz.

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Mexico and Presiding Judge of the Third Judicial District Court.

'Signed at Santa F e, N. M., in the First judicial district.

N. B. Laughlin,

'Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and Judge of the First Judicial District.'

It appears from the bill, answer, and findings that Frederick Metzger, though an unmarried man, was the father of several children by different women; and this suit is one between these several illegitimate children to determine their respective rights to share in his estate. The counsel for appellants says in his brief: 'The bill of complaint and the testimony present for determination of the count two questions: First. What estate and property did Metzger own at the time of his death? And, second, who is entitled to that estate?'

Harvey Spaulding, for appellants.

Mr. Justice BREWER, after stating the facts in the foregoing language, delivered the opinion of the court.

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