Mitchell v. Hecker

Morrison, C. J.: Plaintiff as administrator of the estate of E. D. Clark, deceased, brings this action against the defendants as sureties on the official bond of one W. A. Washburn, Public Administrator. It is admitted that Washburn was the Public Administrator of the county of Butte; that the defendants are sureties on his official bond; that he took out letters of administration on the estate of E. D. Clark, deceased, and that he has wrongfully appropriated to his own use, of the funds of the estate, the amount for which plaintiff recovered a judgment in the Court below. It is claimed however, as a defense to the action, that the letters were granted to Wash-burn by the Probate Court of Butte county, in his individual capacity, and not to him as Public Administrator. This is the only point in the case.

If the letters were granted to Washburn as Public Administrator, defendants are liable, otherwise not. The petition for letters states “ that your petitioner is the Public Administrator, and therefore, as your petitioner is advised and believes, entitled to letters of administration of said estate.” The order granting letters of administration reads as follows: “ The petition of William A. Washburn, praying for letters of administration of the estate of Elisha D. Clark, deceased, coming on regularly to be heard, and due proof having been [560]made to the satisfaction of the Court that the Clerk had given notice in all respects according to law; and all and singular the law and the evidence by the Court understood and fully considered: whereupon, it is by the Court here adjudged and decreed, that the said Elisha D. Clark died on the twenty-first day of November, 1879, intestate, in the county of Butte; that he was a resident of Butte county at the time of his death; and that he left estate in the county of Butte, and within the jurisdiction of this Court. It is ordered that letters of administration of the estate of Elisha D. Clark, deceased, issue to the said petitioner, William A. Washburn.”

The petition was presented by Washburn in his official character, and his claim to letters was based upon the fact that he was Public Administrator of Butte county. It was that petition which the Probate Judge acted upon, and it was under that that petitioner was appointed. We are therefore of the opinion that the letters were issued to Washburn in his official character as Public Administrator, and not to him individually.

Judgment affirmed.

Sharpstein and Thornton, JJ., concurred.