Red Jacket Tribe No. 28 v. Gibson

California Supreme Court
Red Jacket Tribe No. 28 v. Gibson, 70 Cal. 128 (Cal. 1886)
12 P. 127; 1886 Cal. LEXIS 741
McKinstry

Red Jacket Tribe No. 28 v. Gibson

Opinion of the Court

McKinstry, J.

There was sufficient evidence to justify the findings of the court below.

Evidence that the defendant Bennett acted without the concurrence of his co-trustee Dustman, or that the latter was induced to concur by reason of misrepresentations made by the former with respect to Worthington’s concurrence, was admissible.

Evidence that Dustman understood the propriety of the purchase was to be submitted to the “tribe” was admissible.

*131The objection to the question asked on cross-examination of the witness Dustman, “ Now, then, do you know of any unfair act that he (Gibson) did to induce the sale?” was properly sustained, because calling for the inference of the witness. The witness had already stated on his cross-examination what Gibson had said and done to induce the purchase. He had also been asked, “ Did Gibson do anything that you know of to induce you to purchase that lot and a half other than what you have testified to?” To this question the witness had answered, “Not that I know of.” Whether the acts of Gibson were “unfair” was to be determined by the jury.

The court was authorized to revive, the lien of the mortgage of the Occidental Loan Association in favor of the plaintiff if the satisfaction of the mortgage was part of the. fraud practiced on the plaintiff.

The court below properly admitted evidence that the trustees never assembled and as a board considered the transaction,—the purchase from Gibson.

The prompt disavowal of the act of one of the trustees was a fact which the plaintiff was entitled to prove. Gibson was a member of the tribe, and acquainted with the by-laws, which did not authorize the trustees to invest in lands. The order instructing the trustees “to try and invest the money in the bank, not exceeding two thousand dollars,” does not purport to authorize an investment of money of the tribe otherwise than “in stocks, bonds, mortgages, or other securities, approved by two thirds of the members thereof present as a regular council.” Moreover, the by-laws of plaintiff could not be amended by a simple motion or resolution.

The decree of the court below annulled the deed from Gibson to the plaintiff, and did not provide for a reconveyance from the latter to the former. This on the theory that the transaction was fraudulent, and in equity the deed conveyed no title. The deed being annulled, the plaintiff was entitled to a return of the money or its equivalent.

*132The minutes of the proceedings of the tribe showing a disavowal of the transaction were admissible, notwithstanding the objection that “there was no allegation in the complaint of a tender of reconveyance.” The complaint did not pray for a reconveyance, and none was ordered.

Judgment and order affirmed.

Myrick, J., and Ross, J., concurred.

Reference

Full Case Name
RED JACKET TRIBE NO. 28, IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN, OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA v. JAMES A. GIBSON
Cited By
3 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
Equity—Action to Annul Conveyance—Fraud — Evidence.—In an action by the purchaser to set aside a conveyance on the ground of fraud, a witness for the plaintiff was asked on cross-examination whether he knew of any unfair act done by the defendant to induce the sale. Held', that the question was improper. Id.—Return of Purchase-money—Satisfaction of Mortgage — Revival of Lien. —In such an action, the plaintiff is entitled to a return of the purchase-money on obtaining a decree annulling the conveyance; and it appearing that a portion of the purchase-money had been used by one of the defendants to satisfy a mortgage held by a third person on certain other land belonging to him, held, that the plaintiff was entitled to have the lien of the mortgage revived in its favor. Benevolent Association — By-laws — Power of Trustees to Invest Money. —■ A member of a benevolent association, who is acquainted with its by-laws, is chargeable with notice of the restrictions thereby imposed upon the power of the trustees to invest the funds of the association. Practice — Evidence. — On the trial, certain evidence stated in the opinion was admitted against the objection of the defendants, and certain objections to questions asked by him on cross-examination were sustained. Held, that the rulings of the court were proper.