Head Bros. v. Newcomb
Head Bros. v. Newcomb
070rehearing
OPINION UPON REHEARING.
The appellants, in their petition for a rehearing, present the question of the correctness of the opinion in holding them guilty of laches in their proceeding'to reinstate the judgments that were satisfied on the first of June, 1889. It is said in the petition that there is a mistake as to dates that may have led the court to a mistaken conclusion. It will be seen, by reference to the opinion, that the court was in doubt as to the precise date of the order setting aside the sale that led to the entry of satisfaction of the judgments, it being there stated: “It does not appear when the motion was filed, nor when, after February, 1890, term, said sale and levy were set aside, and the time in the opinion is fixed as about April 28. The appellants now call attention to the fact that the abstract is incorrect and that the words, “after February, 1890, term,” should read “at the February, 1890, term,” and it is said that the exact time was February 25. It is also urged that the pleadings do not properly present the question of an estoppel.
We were, of course, justified in considering the case with the facts as they ‘ appeared in the record. However, taking the record as claimed, and disregarding the theory of laches, we do not see how a different result is to be arrived at. Our reasoning will be more intelligible if we briefly summarize the facts in connection with it.
The defendants’ judgments were obtained in November, 1886. Executions were taken thereon, and the homestead of the judgment debtor, being land other than that covered by the mortgage, was sold June 1, 1889, and the judgments satisfied of record,
It is urged that the appellants were notin fault for the satisfaction of the judgments, because they honestly believed the sale of the other land was valid. In a very important sense, they were not in fault; that is, they made only an honest mistake. But such mistakes often lead to legal liabilities or losses. The same may be said of the plaintiff, in making the investment. It was not in fault. The appellant’s mistake entails upon one of the parties a loss. Under the familiar rule stated in the opinion, it should be the party causing it, where both are innocent. As to other points discussed, we are content with the reasoning of the former opinion, and the conclusion, therein announced is adhered to. . Aeeibmed. ■
Opinion of the Court
The appellants contend that, as the note and mortgage in question were assigned to the appellees after due, they hold the same subject to any defense which might be made, if suit were brought by the indorser, and that as said note and mortgage were given without consideration, and to defraud the appellants as judgment creditors of Sarah A. Newcomb, the appellees are not entitled to recover thereon. The appellees concede the general rule to be as stated, but contend that under the facts the appellants are estopped, by reason of their laches, from maintaining said defense
Appearance No. 2,043, Sarah A. Newcomb against J. H. Black, sheriff, Alexander Boyd and Edward Caughlin. Defendants appeared by J. A. G-allaher, their attorney. Plaintiff appeared by J. D. Howard, her attorney. And now, to wit, on this first day of May, A. D. 1890, this ease comes on to be heard on the motion of Boyd and Caughlin to correct the decree herein, and reinstate their judgment against the plaintiff, and the court, being fully advised, finds that the original judgment against plaintiff, and in favor of said defendants Boyd and Caughlin, was satisfied and can-celled by the application of the proceeds of land that this plaintiff owned, and by authority of executions issued therefor. That afterwards, that is to say, after February, 1890, term of this court in this action, said levy and sale were set aside and held to be naught by the court, as said land so sold was held to be the homestead of this plaintiff and exempt from execution. Therefore said motion is sustained, and this order adjudged and decreed by the court that the said original judgments be, and they are hereby, reinstated, and the clerk of this court is directed to enter upon judgment docket against said judgments the fact that they are now reinstated, and are now in full force and effect, as though said sale and payments had never been made.”
It does not appear when this motion was filed, nor when, “after February, 1890, term,” said levy and sale were set aside. According to the time fixed for the terms of that court in 1890, of which we take judicial
It is argued that, as the land sold under the execution was the homestead of. the execution defendant, and not subject to levy and sale, the sale was no satisfaction of the judgments, and that they stood reinstated by operation of law. Let this be conceded, yet it does not appear that the appellees knew that the land sold was the homestead. We infer from the record entry copied above that it was questioned whether or not it was the. homestead of Sarah A. Newcomb, and there is nothing’ shown that would have put the appellants upon inquiry, or have required them to decide that controverted question. We are in no doubt but that the appellees purchased and paid full value for the note and mortgage in the belief that there were no prior judgment liens upon the mortgaged
This view of the case renders it unnecessary that we inquire whether the note and mortgage are without consideration, and fraudulent, as alleged. The decree of the district court is aefibmed.
Reference
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- Head Brothers v. Sarah A. Newcomb
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