O'Connell v. Mercantile Trust Co.
O'Connell v. Mercantile Trust Co.
Opinion of the Court
This is the second appeal in this case. The petition in the case and the agreement between respondent’s decedent and the Trust Company, as well as the answer of appellant, are set out in full in the report of the case 'when previously before us and will be found under the title O ’Connell, Admr. v. Mercantile Trust Company, St. Louis Transit Company et al., Respondents, 148 Mo. App. 416, 128 S. W. 30. The cause coming on for trial, after having been remanded, defendants Slevin and Palmer were duly brought into court by publication and not appearing, judgment by default having been entered, the court entered final judgment eliminating them from any interest in the trust fund. The former judgment in favor of the Transit Company was confirmed. . Judgment went against the appellant Young, the remaining inter-pleader. At this last trial, the circuit court found against this interpleader and awarded the fund, less certain deductions for costs and allowances, to the administrator of Kate O’Connell. From this, after interposing a motion for new trial, the interpleader, Young, has duly perfected appeal to this court.
We said when the case was here before that under the agreement the interpleader was entitled to have payment of the judgment he held, provided that at the time when payment was due, it was a valid and subsisting judgment. The trial court has found that it is not a subsisting judgment.
We see no reason to disturb the judgment of the learned, trial court. Interpreting the trust agreement in its spirit as well as its legal effect, we hold that the
At the present trial appellant introduced an agreement which had been entered into between the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland and Kate O’Connell, which is to the effect that in consideration of the Fidelity Company signing as co-surety with Kate O’Connell on a replevin bond, she agreed to hold the Fidelity & Deposit Company harmless and to indemnify it against all loss or damage accruing by reason of it having signed that bond. The appellant Young, as appears by the evidence at the last trial, was a mere agent and representative of the Fidelity & Deposit Company and as such assignee of the judgment, holding it in trust for the Fidelity & Deposit Company. As we understand the record the court excluded this re
The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.