Horton v. Howard
Horton v. Howard
Opinion of the Court
One Nelson Horton died in 1864, leaving a widow, the complainant, and two children, Carlos D. Horton and Etta M. Beard. In 1869 Carlos and Etta, in settlement of their mother's right of dower, executed to her a deed of a life-estate in certain lands, including that here in controversy. The subsequent mortgages, deeds, and foreclosure suits will be found sufficiently stated in Pool
After the decision in the latter case, holding that the-decree of foreclosure was void on account of the kinship, of the circuit judge to the complainants therein, viz.,. Eebecca Horton, Carlos D. Horton, and Etta M. Beard, complainant filed a supplemental hill, setting forth the-proceedings had in the case and the decision of this Court therein, in which she alleged that she had never discharged, surrendered, or relinquished the mortgage of October 15, 1875, and had never consented to, or known of, the execution of the mortgage executed January 10, 1876, to take the place of the first- mortgage, and to correct a misdescription of the lands therein. Issue was joined, proofs were taken, and the court found that defendant Howard had acquired, by purchase and otherwise, the interests of Carlos D. Horton and Etta M. Beard, together with the debts secured in and by said mortgage, and as to them no sum was due and enforceable on said notes or mortgage, that complainant was entitled to one-third of the principal and interest due and secured by said mortgage, and entered a decree accordingly.
Complainant and defendant Howard appeal, the complainant claiming that she is entitled to the interest upon, the mortgage as representing her life-estate, and the-defendant Howard claiming that the mortgage had become void by the failure of Carlos to pay the Pool mortgage, or, if that be not so, that then complainant is entitled to only an undivided one-f ourth - of the mortgage, and that, whatever interest complainant has, it is in equity subject to $1,700 which defendant Howard claims to have paid Mrs. Beard for her interest, and $1,100 which he paid on the foreclosure of the Pool mortgage, by which he secured Carlos' interest.
Most of the questions now- involved were determined in.
It is unnecessary to state in detail all the proceedings ¿and conveyances by which the defendant Howard finally -obtained all the interest except that represented by the ■complainant. Her title and rights, whatever they were, were upon record, and were therefore notice to all subse■quent purchasers. By the deed of complainant and her children to the Hibbards she conveyed her life-estate, which was all she had to convey, and they conveyed a reversionary interest, which was all they had to convey. As each conveyed his or her separate interest, the mortgage given back must be construed to secure to each his or her part of the purchase price unpaid. Their interests were as clearly distinguishable as though each had taken a separate mortgage. Complainant’s life interest might then have been determined' according to her expectancy of life, and this amount inserted in the mortgage. But the parties chose a course which might be favorable or unfavorable, according to the time she continued to live.
The effect of the mortgage was to declare that she should .'.have the use of the money during her life, and that her -children should receive the princijjal at her death. He who bought the interests of Carlos and Etta in this mort- : gage took them subject to this condition. Defendant Howard purchased them, and, if he were now allowed to offset '•the amounts paid for their interests against complainant’s life-estate, it would leave her practically nothing. By this purchase he became entitled to no other or greater right, legal or equitable, than they possessed, and that sole right
The decree must be modified, and a decree entered in this Court in accordance with the above opinion. Complainant will recover costs of both courts.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Rebecca Horton v. Henry Howard, Carlos D. Horton, and Etta M. Beard
- Status
- Published