Reed v. Johnson

Reed sued Johnson in trespass before a justice of the peace for an injury done by the cattle of the latter to the growing corn of the former. The circuit court dismissed the suit for want of jurisdiction in the justice, on the ground that growing corn was real estate, and that, under the statute, it was only in actions of trespass on personal property that justices had jurisdiction. The damages claimed were less than one hundred dollars; and the only question is, whether growing corn can so far be regarded as personal property as to authorize an action before a justice of the peace for an…