Department of Public Works & Buildings v. Lewis

The Department of Public Works and Buildings filed its petition in the circuit court of White County to condemn lands for widening and otherwise improving State Bond Issue Route No. 14. Defendants Ella Wilson Pyle and nine others, owners of part of the property sought to be condemned, filed a traverse and motion to dismiss, alleging a lack of necessity for the taking. The motion was denied as to the larger portion of defendants’ tract, but as to a strip of land about 610 feet in length and 10 feet in width, the motion was sustained and a judgment entered dismissing the petition. Plaintiff…