Justice Detail

State Bank of Illinois v. Kain

Kain sued the State Bank of Illinois because it failed to accept a deposit. The circuit court ruled for Kain, and the State Bank appealed. The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment, holding that the receipt of Kelly, the Bank's cashier, constituted valid evidence of a deposit. The argument that Kelly lacked explicit authorization was dismissed, emphasizing that the law empowered the cashier as an agent of the institution, and the cashier's role was to receive, record, and dispense funds.

Berry et al., administrators of Ernst v. Ernst

Mary Ann Ernst, widow of Ferdinand Ernst, sued the administrators of his estate over a dispute concerning Ferdinand Ernst's debts to the State Bank of Illinois. The circuit court ruled for Mary Ann Ernst, and the administrators appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court. The Court affirmed the legislature's 1828 law releasing Ferdinand Ernst's estate, directing proceeds from land sales to Mary Ann Ernst. The administrators, challenging the law's validity, sold lands on credit. The court found the state had the authority to order sales. The circuit court's decree was partly affirmed, with $742.88 granted to the complainant, and partly reversed in regard to excluding $105 from specific land sales.

Willard v. People

Willard was indicted for unlawfully secreting Julia, a mulatto girl and slave belonging to Sarah Lisle, while she passed through Illinois en route from Kentucky to Louisiana. Despite his demurral, the court fined him. The defense argued the indictment violated constitutional clauses and state ordinances regarding slavery. However, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the judgment, citing the necessity of interstate comity and maintaining peace. The law of comity permits passage of slaves through states, thus upholding the judgment. Case 001444 is missing, but is possibly part of this case.