Lewers & Cooke, Ltd. v. Atcherly

Citations

• 222 U.S. 285
• 32 S. Ct. 94
• 56 L. Ed. 202
• 1911 U.S. LEXIS 1786

Syllabus

<p>Where one asks the aid of a court of chancery in executing a former decree, he takes the risk of opening such decree for reexamination. Lawrence Manufacturing Co. v. Janesville Cotton Mills, 138 U. S. 532.</p> <p>Of two former decrees adjudicating title to real estate, the Supreme Court of Hawaii having found that the earlier was right and bound •all interests and that the later was wrong, this court affirms, seeing no reason for not following the local court.</p> <p>Great weight should be attributed to the decision of the court on the spot, especially when ancient law is involved, such as existed in Hawaii before the annexation.</p> <p>This court sustains the rule laid down by the Supreme Court of Hawaii that decisions of the Board of Land. Commissioners of 1845 could not be attacked except by direct appeal to the Supreme Court of Hawaii as provided by law.</p> <p>A decree establishing a will may determine who is entitled to testator’s property without determining that a particular property belonged • to the inheritance.</p> <p>Where a case has not passed to a 'final decree one buying pendente lite from a party thereto stands no better than the vendor. Mellen v. Moline Iron Works, 131II. S. 352.</p> <p>18 Hawaii, 625; 19 Hawaii, 47, affirmed.</p>