Dobson v. Markle
Dobson v. Markle
Opinion of the Court
This was a suit brought by appellee against Julia A. Markle and Henry H. Markle, on a promissory note, and to foreclose a mortgage. The defendants were defaulted. Appellants Laban Dobson and John D. Markle, upon their petition, were permitted to become defendants to the action, and defend against the foreclosure of the mortgage. They then answered, that the mortgage was without consideration ; that it was fraudulent and void; .and filed a cross, complaint, alleging that the mortgage was fraudulent as. against creditors; that they were judgment creditors, and prayed to have the mortgage cancelled, and declared fraudulent and void. Issues were formed by denials ; trial by jury ;• verdict for plaintiff; motion for a venire de novo, and a. motion for a new trial, were both overruled and exceptions, reserved.
The errors assigned in this court are: 1st. The complaint, does not state facts sufficient; 2d. Overruling motion for a venire de novo; 3d. Overruling motion for a new trial.
The complaint is in the statutory form, and would have-been good on demurrer. It is sufficient under the objection, now for the first time raised, that it does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.
In the motion for a new trial, the first four reasons assigned are, substantially, that the verdict was not supported by the evidence, and was contrary to law.
The fifth and sixth reasons were based upon instructions to the jury. The seventh reason was for overruling the motion for a venire de novo.
This last reason is a proper subject for the assignment, in this court, of errors, but not a reason, before the court below, for a new trial.
We have examined the testimony and find it very conflicting ; there was ample testimony on either side, if believed by the jury, to strongly tend to support a verdict either way, and, under these circumstances, this court will not undertake to weigh the testimony and interfere with the verdict of the jury.
The first and second instructions given by the court to the jury are the only ones complained of. The first reads as follows : “This is an action brought by Robert R. Markle for the purpose of procuring a judgment on a certain promissory note, set out in the complaint, and to foreclose a mortgage on certain lands described in the complaint, which mortgage was given to secure the payment of said promissory note; and, on this complaint, the defendants
We think this instruction states the law correctly upon the rights of these parties, under the default of these two defendants. This is a question in which appellants have no interest whatever, their rights are not in the least thereby affected, and of which they have no right to complain; in this instruction the jury are told how appellants’ rights may be fully protected, notwithstanding such finding in relation to the other parties.
The second instruction reads as follows : “But while, under the issues and the evidence, you will find for Robert R. Markle and against Julia A. Markle and Henry H. Markle, as above suggested;' between the said Laban Dobson and John D. Markle, as plaintiffs to the cross complaint, and said Robert R. Markle, Julia A. and Henry H. Markle as defendants, a very different question is presented, and if, from all the facts and circumstances in evidence before you, you believe that the note and mortgage in suit were executed for the purpose of hindering or delaying the creditors of Henry H. Markle in the collection of their debts, and you further believe that Henry H. Markle was at the time of the
We think this instruction was applicable to the issues in
Per Curiam. — It is therefore ordered upon the foregoing opinion, that the judgment below be, and the same is hereby, in all things affirmed, at appellants’ costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.