Larrimore v. Heron
Larrimore v. Heron
Opinion of the Court
This was an action by Heron, as receiver of the Savings Banlc of Indiana, duly appointed by the Court; •
Larrimore and Vance pleaded, among other things, that the bill was made, executed, and discounted in the Savings Bank, for the use and benefit of Larrimore do Dale, and, that the defendant Vance was only an indorser thereof for their accommodation. That about the time the bill became due, and before the appointment of the plaintiff as such receiver, the bank was, and still is, indebted to Larrimore, for the use of Larrimore dé Dale, in the sum of $250, for money theretofore had and received by the bank for the use of Larrimore da Dale ; and in the sum of $250, for money deposited in the bank by Larrimore for the use of Larrimore dé Dale ; and in the sum of $250, being a balance of $600 before that time deposited in the bank by one Talbott for the use of Larrimore da Dale, which sums Larrimore offered to set off. Demurrer sustained to the plea; exceptions, and final judgment for the plaintiff.
This plea we think substantially good. It is, as the counsel for the appellee says, a kind of nondescript in pleading, in alleging an indebtedness of the bank to one man, for the use of himself and another. But the averments specifying the particulars of the indebtedness show, and we think substantially allege, the indebtedness to be to Larrimore do Dale. Indeed, an indebtedness to Larrimore for the use of Larrimore dé Dale, seems to amount to an indebtedness to Larrimore do Dale. Under the code they would both have to sue upon it, and we think were Larrimore da Dale alone sued, and both before the Court, they could set off the indebtedness.
/ This is a mere formal matter, and we pass to the more substantial objection urged against the plea. It is urged that the law does not allow a set-off in such cases.
The statute provides, that “ In all actions upon a note or other contract against several defendants, any one of whom is principal and the others sureties thereon, any claim upon
"We are unable to perceive why. this case is not within the spirit of the statute. The facts as alleged are substantially these: Larrimore do Dale wanted money. Larrimore drew his bill upon La/rrimore do Dale, in favor of Vance, who indorsed it to Larrimore dk Dale, who indorsed it to the bank, and received the proceeds. Thus Larrimore <& Dale became the principal debtors. Vance is only liable as a remote indorser. Although all may be joined in a suit upon the bill, yet as Larrimore c& Dale are the principal debtors, an indebtedness from the bank to them may, under the statute, be set off. The statute allows this defense to be made by the “ principal or any other defendant.”
The judgment is reversed, with costs. Cause remanded, &c.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.