Whaley v. Freeland
Whaley v. Freeland
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
The chancellor has passed upon the question of fact in this case with a full knowledge of the parties, and while the same rule does not apply in disposing of such issues in equity by this court as in cases at common law, still much importance should be given the views of the chancellor in a case of fraud where doubt may well be entertained as to the truth of the charge. It is clear that Vanarsdal and Freeland were not purchasing the debt on Butler with a view to speculate upon it, but made it for the benefit of the latter. It seems that the consideration for which the note was executed to Whaley was a mare of but little value, and these parties, with a view of reinstating Butler, purchased the note at the discount, that is, they gave a note for seventy dollars and the costs, making ten or twelve dollars more, for the execution, amounting to $133.
The fact, however, that Whaley got the advantage of Butler did not authorize the parties to take advantage of Whaley. We suppose some of the truth in regard to a matter of which the party should be informed, if material to the contract, is fraudulent. If the party, however, is in possession of facts that should enable him to know or ought to put him on inquiry, we are not disposed to adjudge that suppressed vice could establish the fraud. Whaley knew that this execution was in the hands of the sheriff, or that the sheriff was trying to collect the debt. Pie had been offering the debt for $15, or quite a small sum of money, and knew that Butler was insolvent. He
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.