Burtch v. Thorn
Burtch v. Thorn
Opinion of the Court
This is a suit between two sets of sureties of one Tracy. The appellants were his sureties as the executor of Charles A. Marshall, for the sale of the real estate. The appellee was surety for Tracy as the guardian of Charles Marshall.
By his will, Charles A. devised the half of his estate to Frances Tisdale; the other half to his illegitimate son, Charles, the ward of Tracy.
Frances Tisdale held a mortgage on the estate of Charles A. for a large sum. By her will, she bequeathed one half of her estate, including this mortgage, to Charles, the minor; and appointed one Richardville her executor. In September, 1849, Richardville, executor, foreclosed this mortgage against Tracy, executor, and had a decree for 2,250 dollars.
Marshall’s estate consisted chiefly of lands. Tracy applied to the Court for an order to sell the realty. In December, 1849, the order of sale was obtained, Burtch and Smith, the appellants, going sureties on his bond, in the penalty of 12,000 dollars, for the faithful discharge of his duties in the sale, and the application of its proceeds. Under this order, Tracy sold land to the amount of 10,000 dollars, converted, as is alleged, a large part of the proceeds to his own use, and in October, 1851, died insolvent.
It is further alleged that prior to his death, Tracy had. become imbecile and unfit for business, by the use of stimulants and narcotics. A short time before his death, in 1851, Tracy, at the instance of Burtch, gave a receipt, as guardian of Charles, for half the Tisdale decree, 1,125 dollars, as received in September, 1849, of Richardville, executor. A corresponding credit was entered on Tracy’s account as executor, said to be in Burtch’s handwriting. It is not pretended that any money passed, or that there was ever any credit entered on the decree. In Tracy’s settlement wTith the Probate Court as executor of Charles A., this item was passed upon and allowed. In brief, Tracy, executor, and the appellants, his sureties, were credited half the Tisdale decree, by charging Tracy, guardian, with
The complaint seeks to set aside the receipt, on the ground of want of capacity in Tracy, and fraud on the part of Burtch.
The defendants, Williams and Bichar dville, are defaulted. Burtch and Smith answer. The answer denies Tracy's insolvency, denies his default as executor, his incapacity when the receipt was given, and all fraud in obtaining the receipt or in its effect.
On these issues the cause went to a jury. Verdict for Thorn, the plaintiff below. Motion for a new trial over-' ruled, and judgment. The evidence, and certain instructions excepted to by the defendants below, are made part of the record. Burtch and Smith appeal.
So far as the questions of fact are involved, we can not disturb the verdict. For instance, on the question of the capacity of Tracy at the time the receipt was given, the evidence is conflicting. Seven witnesses, including his wife, testify to his being imbecile and incompetent at that time, giving as a cause the use of stimulants and narcotics. Four witnesses, including the family physician, who had visited him daily for five weeks before his death, and for the last two weeks had visited him four or five times a day, testify that he was competent. In this state of the evidence, we should not feel at liberty to disturb the verdict of a jury either way. And the same principle will apply to the other questions of fact.
It only remains to examine the instructions complained of. One of these is as follows:
“The receipt in this cause is in favor of Bichar dville; he is a party to it. That receipt could not have any legal effect, or become binding on any one, until it was delivered to Bichar dville, or was received or otherwise recognized by him.” This instruction is correct. Ketcham v. The New-Albany and Salem Railroad Company, ante, p. 391.
It is argued that as there was an agreement between Tracy and Richardville that the former should retain half the decree for his ward, Charles Marshall, he had a right
The other instructions complained of do not materially differ from this. Both the facts and the law are clearly with the appellee.
The judgment is affirmed with costs.
Reference
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- Burtch and Others v. Thorn
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