Adams et al. v. Logan County

Case # Not Listed

Appellant/Plaintiff

Lucien B. Adams, S. M. Tinsley, M. L. Knapp

Appellee/Defendant

County of Logan

Appellant/Plaintiff Attorneys

  • Stephen Trigg Logan, Stuart, Edwards

Appellee/Defendant Attorneys

  • Abraham Lincoln, William H. Herndon, Charles Emerson

County of Origin

Logan County

Justice

Justice John D. Caton

Terms of Court

December 1849

Type of Case

Assumpsit

Disposition

Affirmed

Citation

11 Ill 336

Case Summary

Adams sued Logan County to recover money loaned to the county. The circuit court entered a pro forma judgment for Logan County and the parties took the case to the Supreme Court as an agreed case. The Supreme Court opines that Adams's action cannot be sustained. The Legislature retained full control over Logan County's county seat despite previous arrangements fixing it at Postville. No agreement existed for money repayment or land reversion upon county seat relocation. Donors understood this possibility, hence no safeguards were included in the deed. Expectations of reimbursement via property sales suggest no grounds for additional compensation. Therefore, the circuit court's judgment is affirmed.

Illinois Reports File