Gardner v. Farmers State Bank
Gardner v. Farmers State Bank
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The action was one against a bank and certain of its officers, for conversion of funds deposited in the bank which were derived from a public sale of personal property belonging to plaintiff, made by plaintiff’s former tenant. Judgment was rendered in favor of plaintiff and against the bank, and the bank appeals.
At the trial the first question was whether Roberts had any interest in the hogs. Roberts and Gardner told what their business relations were. When giving or renewing a note to the bank in December before the sale, Roberts signed a credit statement in which he said he owned one hundred head of hogs. The statement could not bind Gardner with respect to any interest he might have in the hogs which were sold, and the court permitted the statement to be 'read in evidence merely as affecting Roberts’ credibility. The ruling was correct.
The credit statement said Roberts had no partners in his business “only on land with brother-in-law.” Gardner was not related to Roberts. Defendant contended with Roberts while he was on the witness stand, and contended with the court, that Gardner and Roberts were partners in the hog business. The court ruled that the relation between Gardner and Roberts was that of landlord and tenant, and in defendant’s brief complaint is made that defendant was not permitted to show Gardner and Roberts were partners. No rejected evidence of partnership called to the attention of the trial
The only other question of fact in the case of any importance was whether the bank had notice or knowledge that Gardner had an interest in the proceeds of the sale of the hogs. There was evidence pro and con, the jury found the bank knew of Gardner’s interest in the hogs, and the finding was abundantly sustained by evidence. Defendant contends) however, the finding was induced by an erroneous instruction relating to notice. The court did give an instruction on the subject of notice which was too broad; but in two subsequent instructions the court clearly made liability of the bank depend on its knowledge of Gardner’s interest, and on the whole record the court is unable to say that it affirmatively appears the instruction complained of prejudicially affected the bank’s substantial rights. (R. S. 60-3317.)
Some hay and a farm implement attachment belonging to Gardner were sold at the sale, and the bank appropriated the proceeds ¿long with the hog money. Roberts testified he told McCullough at the sale that half the hogs, the hay, and the attachment belonged to Gardner, and told the auctioneer at the time of sale that half the hogs, the hay, and the attachment belonged to Gardner. McCullough admitted he heard what was publicly said about the hay and the attachment, but testified he did not hear what was said about the hogs. The fact that Gardner owned the hay and the attachment was not disputed, and the court properly rendered judgment against
Defendant complains of remarks made by the court in the progress of the trial.
There were just two issues of fact in the case:' Gardner’s interest in the hogs, and the-bank’s innocence in appropriating the proceeds of sale of the hogs. The issues were simple and,, as. indicated, there was no sound basis for denial of. Gardner’s interest. Throughout the trial the court strove to. confine the evidence to material things and get through with the case. Defendant’s verified .answer stated it had. applied the money derived from the sale of live stock to payment of Roberts’ notes. In the course of the trial the. following occurred-:
“By the Court: Then your verified statement here states that you applied the money realized from the sale of the live stock at .the Roberts.sale to the Roberts indebtedness at the defendant bank.
“By Mr. Lamer: Yes, sir; and we further say in that* answer that we sold live stock. Now-hogs — live stock isn’t hdgs exclusively-.' A- great many- things were sold-at that sale in the way of live stock besides hogs; horses, and cattle were-sold at that sale'.'- .. . . . ., . ;
“By the Court: .No, but you don!,t designate. You don’t separate them in this answer.
'“By Mr. Lamer:"' No, it is true I don’t, but the court is trying to make hogs synonymous with live stock.” • ‘
Near the close of the trial counsel for the bank returned to the subject, and the following occurred:
“By the Court : The witness testified as to. what disposition was made of the proceeds, and your answer, verified, shows what he did with the proceeds from the sale.
“By Mr. Lamer: But', if the court please, Gardner doesn’t say anything about live stock. He says hogs. Our answer speaks about the proceeds from the sale of live stock.
“By the Court: Oh, well, listen. You want to split hairs. Let’s don’t make a joke out of this. Anything further?”
Under the circumstances, this court is unable to say that the district court deserves judicial rebuke.
Assignments of error respecting other remarks of the district court, individual liability of officers of the bank against whom no judgment was rendered, and form of verdict, have been considered, and are held not to be well founded.
The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- T. W. Gardner v. Farmers State Bank, (Ronald Finney, Errol McCullough and W. C. Roberts, Defendants)
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published