Kittle v. Wilson
Kittle v. Wilson
Opinion of the Court
This case comes here by appeal from the district court for Dodge county. The object of the action is to perpetually enjoin the collection of a certain judgment rendered by the .county court of that county against this plaintiff as indorser of a promissory note, executed by one William Martin to the said plaintiff, and by him indorsed and transferred to the defendants. It appears that this note was originally secured by a mortgage executed by Martin upon certain real estate which had been foreclosed, and this judgment was for the balance remaining unsatisfied after the sale of the mortgaged premises.
There can be no doubt that if the facts respecting this extension were precisely as alleged in the petition, they would, if established, have been a good defense to the action against the plaintiff in the county court. An agreement between the indorsee and maker of a promissory note, for any definite extension of the ° time of payment, in consideration of an agreement by the latter to pay an increased rate of interest, is binding upon them, and if made without the consent of the indorser, will release him from all liability on the note.
But this defense was a legal one, and should have been made to the action on the note. By suffering judgment to go against him in that suit, the plaintiff has lost the advantage which the extension gave to him, and cannot now make it available as a ground for resisting the enforcement of the judgment. There is no equity in the petition, and the judgment of the court below dismissing the action must be sustained.
Judgment accordingly.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.