Hardin County Court v. Lowe

Opinion by

Judge Lindsay:

Although the petition shows that at the time of the last settlement there remained in the hands of the sheriffs, in the way of a surplus of county dues, the sum of $1,590.63, it does not show that up to the time of the institution of this action, the county court had authorized or empowered any person to collect said sum from the sheriff, or that it had made any orders whatever concerning its safekeeping. Until some such order is made, and the sheriff is required to pay the money over, either to the county treasurer, or if there be none, then to some person designated by the county court, he cannot commit a breach of his bond. Until some person is authorized to collect the fund, there can be no demand made upon the sheriff; and until there is a demand and a failure to pay, no cause of action can arise against him and his official sureties. Owen v. Ballard County Court, 8 Bush 611.

There is no cause of action stated in favor of Davenport. He sues as the assignee of Tabb. It is alleged that Tabb is a county creditor to the amount of $-. But it is not stated that this claim, if it amounted to any sum whatever, had been allowed by the county court, nor that the sheriff had ever been directed to pay it.

The demurrer was properly sustained, and the petition properly dismissed. Judge Cofer did not sit in this case.

Judgment affirmed.