Merchants' National Bank v. Barrett
Merchants' National Bank v. Barrett
Opinion of the Court
(after stating the facts). The theory of the plaintiff is that defendant Barrett had property, moneys, goods, chattels, credits, or effects in his hands or under his control belonging to the principal defendant, Panting. It is also the theory that the assignment by Panting to Barrett was merely as a mortgage security. If it be conceded that this was a mortgage arrangement, and that Barrett might be held for whatever property should come into his hands under the assignment, still Barrett would not be liable, provided his security was made subject to the claims of the Mathias Planing-Mill Company. The mortgagee or other security holder cannot be held liable as garnishee until he has foreclosed his security, and received either the property or money in excess of the money loaned. Whether Barrett could be held liable as garnishee if he held the contract as security merely, we need not discuss; for we are clearly of the opinion that Mr. Barrett was a bona fide purchaser of this contract, subject to the claims of the Mathias Planing-Mill Company and Dennis Bros. It is undisputed that these two claims amounted to more than the value of the property, or what was realized from the sale thereof under the contracts. Mr. Barrett made disclosure that he had no property in his hands belonging to Mr. Panting, and that he was not indebted to him. Subsequently Mr. Barrett
Judgment reversed, and entered in this court for defendant Barrett.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.