Weir v. Rountree/Opinion of the Court

United States Supreme Court

216 U.S. 607

Weir  v.  Rountree

 Argued: February 21, 1910. --- Decided: February 28, 1910

Bill was filed by the express company to restrain Mrs. Rountree from bringing suit against the company, which was directed to be dismissed for want of jurisdiction, because there was no diversity of citizenship and no Federal ground for jurisdiction. Rountree v. Adams Exp. Co. 91 C. C. A. 186, 165 Fed. 152. From this decree no appeal was taken.

A second suit on the same alleged cause of action was then brought in the name of the officers of the company, Levi C. Weir and others, alleging their diverse citizenship. The second suit was dismissed by the circuit court, and carried to the circuit court of appeals for the eighth circuit, and the latter court affirmed the decree of the circuit court. 173 Fed. 776.

This appeal was then prosecuted; but we are of opinion that it cannot be maintained. Colorado Cent. Consol. Min. Co. v. Turck, 150 U.S. 138, 37 L. ed. 1030, 14 Sup. Ct. Rep. 35; Bagley v. General Fire Extinguisher Co. 212 U.S. 477, 53 L. ed. 605, 29 Sup. Ct. Rep. 341. If the allegations which set up diversity of citizenship were stricken from the bill, the Federal court would have had no jurisdiction. Being relied on, the decree of the circuit court of appeals was final.

Appeal dismissed.

Notes