Overview
Case summary
Lewis M. Stone appealed a decision by the Court of Claims denying his claim for the loss of ninety-three horses allegedly stolen by Indians in 1867. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision, emphasizing that the claimant's failure to present the claim to the government for decades created significant negative presumptions. Additionally, the Court held that testimony from an interested party and a single witness, when unsupported by other evidence, does not compel a judgment in the claimant's favor, even if the testimony is not directly impeached.
Abstract
Claimant appealed denial of claim for loss of horses allegedly stolen by Indians, but the court affirmed due to failure to present the claim to the government for decades, creating significant negative presumptions. Testimony from an interested party and a single witness, unsupported by other evidence, was insufficient to compel judgment in claimant's favor even if not directly impeached. The lower court's decision was affirmed on the same grounds.
Procedural posture
Legal categories
Case record
Issues & holdings
Holdings of the court
Timeline
No timeline recorded.
Facts & evidence
Incident
Key facts
4 facts- Claimant alleged the theft of a herd of ninety-three horses by Indians in November 1867.
- Claimant failed to present the claim to the Department of the Interior, Congress, or any government agent for decades.
- The claim was supported only by the claimant's own testimony and one witness.
- Claimant provided an ex parte affidavit claiming he could not locate any of the thirteen other persons who allegedly followed the Indians.
Authorities
Legal principles applied
- judicial caution regarding uncorroborated testimony
- presumptions of fact arising from lapse of time