Opinion
4 Div. 59.
April 6, 1939.
Appeal from Circuit Court, Coffee County; W. L. Parks, Judge.
Yarbrough Beck, of Enterprise, for appellant.
The law providing for condemnation of property used for unlawful transportation of prohibited liquor does not contemplate the condemnation of property of those who did not assist in the unlawful transportation, and who were not charged with knowledge that their property was to be so used. Briscoe Motor Car Co. v. State, 204 Ala. 231, 85 So. 475; State v. Hughes, 203 Ala. 90, 82 So. 104; Maples v. State, 203 Ala. 153, 82 So. 183; Hartzog-Ganey Motor Co. v. State, 222 Ala. 50, 130 So. 771; Auburn Sales Co. v. State, 219 Ala. 360, 122 So. 463; Wright Motor Co. v. State, 214 Ala. 120, 106 So. 868; General Motors Acc. Corp. v. State, 217 Ala. 571, 117 So. 181; Edwards v. State, 213 Ala. 122, 104 So. 255.
Thos. S. Lawson, Atty. Gen., for the State.
This appeal is from a final decree of the Circuit Court of Coffee County, sitting in equity, condemning as contraband "one 1936 model Tudor Ford, Motor No. 18-2493810, Tag No. 111-150," seized by the officers of the law for being used for the transportation of prohibited liquors in the town of Enterprise, and denying the claim of title asserted by the appellant under an alleged conditional sale contract entered into by and between intervener and Mrs. Bertha Mae Durden.
There is no denial in the petition for intervention or otherwise of the allegations of the bill, which make a prima facie case for condemnation, and the only evidence noted, as required by rule 75 of Chancery Practice, was the depositions of the witnesses Whigham and Sparks, examined as witnesses in behalf of the complainant. The rule is mandatory and testimony not noted can not be considered on appeal. Allison Lumber Co. v. Campbell, 225 Ala. 609, 144 So. 574; First Nat. Bank v. Williams, 206 Ala. 394, 90 So. 340; Harrod v. State, 225 Ala. 669, 145 So. 137.
The rule is applicable to testimony given ore tenus. Johnston v. Johnston, 229 Ala. 592, 158 So. 528.
Moreover, if the testimony and documentary evidence not noted could be considered, the question presented is purely of fact, and warranted the conclusion denying intervener's right to the property. Equitable Credit Co. v. State ex rel. Perry, 214 Ala. 77, 106 So. 399; Auburn Sales Co. v. State, 223 Ala. 184, 134 So. 867; Edwards et al. v. State, 213 Ala. 122, 104 So. 255.
It follows, therefore, that the decree of the Circuit Court is due to be affirmed.
It is so ordered by the Court.
Affirmed.
ANDERSON, C. J., and THOMAS and KNIGHT, JJ., concur.