Wilson v. Wright
Wilson v. Wright
Opinion of the Court
(after stating the facts). This bill was filed by the First National Bank before a receiver was appointed, and the bank will be treated in this opinion as the complainant. The bank insists that this is a trust fund, to which it is entitled as the owner of the notes. Defendant Wright insists upon the correctness of the decree for the following reasons:
1. That there is no evidence to prove the authority of Sharp to sign the alleged agreement for Wells, Stone & Co.
2. That the bill is defective for omitting necessary parties, viz., Brown and the representatives of the estate of Leaton, deceased.
3. That it is not a trust fund.
4. That the First National Bank took these notes after they were past due, and therefore subject to all equities and defenses which Wells, Stone & Co. would have as against the original holders.
Wells and Stone died before this bill was filed. Defendant Wright is the surviving member of the firm. Leaton & Upton were indebted in about $72,000, of which there was due to the Commercial Bank about $20,000,
Under this state of facts, we think there are two complete answers to the complainant’s case:
1. The settlement of May 15, 1894, was signed by Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Leaton, and Mrs. Leaton, and settled all transactions between them and Wells, Stone & Co. The settlement with the bank on May 16, 1894, recited the settlement between Brown & Leaton and Wells, Stone & Co., the transfer of certain lands to the bank, and the bank, in consideration thereof, released and discharged Wells, Stone & Co. By this settlement, Brown, Leaton, and their wives released Wells, Stone & Co. from all liabilities, which included all claim to this fund which Brown and Leaton, or either of them, ever had. They made no reservation of this claim, and as to them it was settled and disposed of. They could not revive the claim by having the notes transferred to their wives by the Commercial Bank. Evidently, the bank considered Brown & Leaton insolvent, and released them
2. If it be conceded that this fund was retained for the purpose stated, complainant has not shown that it was entitled to it. By the terms of the paper signed by Sharp, Wells, Stone & Co. were only under obligation to pay the money to' the holder of the notes if it should be determined that Leaton & Upton ought to pay them. As we understand the situation, Leaton & Upton were parties to the notes, and under legal obligations to pay to the then holder, the Commercial Bank; but it was insisted that equitably, and as_ between Leaton & Upton and Brown & Leaton and Brown, the latter should pay, and that was the question submitted to arbitration. That question has not been determined. There is no evidence in this record by which we can determine it. If it belonged to Brown & Leaton and to Brown to pay them, they have been more than paid by Wells, Stone & Co., and they have settled it. Neither Brown nor Leaton nor their wives could recover against Wells, Stone & Co., and, if they could not; neither can their transferee, the bank, which purchased after due.
It is unnecessary to discuss the other questions raised. The decree is affirmed, with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- WILSON v. WRIGHT
- Status
- Published