Mississippi Supreme Court, 1853

Holt v. Bacon

Holt v. Bacon
Mississippi Supreme Court · Decided April 15, 1853 · Fisher
25 Miss. 567

Counsel

II. M. Simrall, for appellants, made the following points in argument: •—, G. S. Yerger for appellees, argued the case orally, but filed no brief in the papers from which an abstract of his points made can be obtained.

Holt v. Bacon

Opinion of the Court

Mr. Justice FisheR

delivered the opinion of the court.

The appellees filed their bill in the vice-chancery court at Natchez, alleging, that the president, directors, and company of the Planters Bank of the State of Mississippi transferred to the said complainants a certain judgment recovered against the said appellants in the circuit court of Wilkinson county in favor of said bank.

The answer in effect denies the transfer, and calls for proof of the same.

The testimony shows, that the transfer was made by the cashier of a branch of said Bank, at Woodville, Mississippi. The witness says, that the cashier made out a list of certain judgments, among which was the one now in controversy, and handed it to the witness as the agent of the complainants. This list was intended by the cashier as a transfer of the judgment.

The question here arises, whether this proof sustains the allegation of the bill, that the judgment was transferred by the president, directors, and company of the bank.

Primd facie, the cashier of a bank has no authority to transfer judgments in its favor, or to dispose of its property. His authority, in this respect, extends only to negotiable instruments. The president and directors were the only persons who could legally make the transfer. If the cashier acted as their agent in the-matter, this fact'ought to have been shown in evidence.

Decree reversed, and bill dismissed.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.