People's Loan & Savings Ass'n v. Carey
People's Loan & Savings Ass'n v. Carey
Opinion of the Court
— This - action was commenced by appellant to foreclose a mortgage. Appellee Carey filed a cross-complaint. The issue was formed and trial had upon the cross-complaint. We are not informed by the record as to what became of the complaint. Appellant’s separate demurrer to each the second (a) and third (a) paragraphs of the cross-complaint was overruled, as was likewise its motion for a new trial, for judgment upon the special finding, and its exceptions to the conclusion of law. Error is severally assigned upon each of these rulings.
The special finding discloses the following facts: Prior to January 20, 1896, one Krotz purchased of one-Wells the real estate described in the complaint, and the appellee Shadrach IT. Carey furnished the purchase money therefor, and, as a security for that and other sums to be advanced for improvements, took a conveyance, in his name from Wells by a deed absolute upon its face. Krotz afterwards subdivided the land into lots, and commenced the erection thereon of buildings and other improvements, the ■ said Carey furnishing from time to time the money that was used in such improvements. On January 20, 1896, Krotz was indebted to Carey, on' account of purchase money and sums advanced for said improvements, the total amount of $3,800, and there were on said lots fourteen storerooms in course of construction but incomplete; and on said day Krotz negotiated on the whole of said lots a loan for $4,500 of the appellant. The title to the property being in Carey, he and Krotz met at the office of the appellant, and it was
Appellant, pulsiiant to said contract, paid James W. Arthur $211.80, deducted the expenses of the loan $62.60, paid all the mechanic and other liens filed against the mortgaged premises, amounting in all to $1,425.21, and making a total disbursement under said contract of $1,699.61, and leaving a balance of the loan undisbursed under the contract of $800.39, after the completion of the buildings, and full payment for all liens, labor, and materials therefor, which balance of $800.39 was due appellee, Carey, under the contract. The evidence shows that appellant disbursed the full amount of the $4,500, but paid $800.39 of the amount directly to Krotz from time to time, upon his production of evidence that he had paid the sums for labor and materials
The cross-complaint is based upon the written contract between appellant and appellee Carey, and the real question in the case is whether under the contract, appellant was authorized to pay to Krotz, or other person, any money on account of the loan, except upon liens filed against the property; appellant’s contention being that under the contract the completion of the buildings must also he provided for from the fund before Carey became entitled to any part of it, while, on the other hand, Carey contends that appellant was restricted in its disbursements to liens actually filed. We perceive no ambiguity in the languge used. It is: “We agree to pay to James W. Arthur $211.80, and to pay all mechanic and other liens which have been or may be hereafter filed against the property described in said mortgage, not, however, to exceed the sum of $2,288.20; and when said buildings are fully completed, and all material and labor fully paid, then any part of said sum of $2,288.20 which we have not paid upon said liens filed upon said property, and the expenses incurred by reason of said loan, we agree to pay to Shadrach H. Carey.” A purpose to make very clear the class of debts to be paid by appellant is shown by a repetition of the words “any part of said 'sum of $2,288.20 which we have not paid upon said liens filed upon said property * * * shall he paid to Carey.”
The appellee had 'surrendered his first lien upon the property to enable appellant to make the loan of a larger sum to Krotz. After payment of the $2,000, $1,800 of Carey’s claim remained unpaid, and, by conveyance of the lots to Krotz, became unsecured, except by appellant’s written agreement. In this agreement it was stipulated, in effect, that no part of the loan left with appellant should go into the hands of Krotz. What reason there was for such a stipulation is not material. It might have been a matter of convenience, or the improvidence of Krotz, or a want of con
The first six reasons for a new trial are waived. The seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth complain of the exclusion of testimony as to the value of the property after the buildings had been completed. How the value of the lots at that time could affect the terms of the written contract we can not perceive. The eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth relate to the exclusion of testimony as to the disbursement by appellant of the loan fund to Krotz, or creditors of Krotz, other than those holding liens filed against the property. This was clearly right. The fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth relate to the exclusion of testimony of the same class, and which was rightfully refused. The other reasons for a new trial are waived for failure to present them. We find no error in the record. Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- People's Loan and Savings Association v. Carey
- Status
- Published