Grimison v. Russell
Grimison v. Russell
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff in his amended petition alleges that on the 13th of August, 1876, one W. Wright, desiring to borrow one hundred dollars of Wells & Nieman, said Wright being insolvent, induced one George H. Wells to sign a note as surety for said Wright, payable to said Wells & Nieman, by reason of which the said Wright could and did obtain the said sum of one hundred and three and dollars; that said money was . obtained alone by the credit and financial standing of said George
u $103.10. Schuyler, Neb., Aug. 13th, 1877.
“ Ninety days after date, we, or either of us, promise to pay to George H. Wells, or order, one hundred three and dollars, for value received, negotiable and payable without defalcation or discount, at the banking house of Sumner & Co,., Schuyler, Nebraska, with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from maturity until paid. In case the note is not paid at maturity, and an action is commenced thereon, we agree to pay reasonable attorney’s fees, the same to be allowed by the court, and included in the judgment. The conditions of this note are set out in full upon the back of this note.
“ Signed, W. Wright,
“ J. A. Grimison.
“ This note is to be binding upon the signers only on the following condition: That a certain note for $103.10, one hundred three dollars, signed by W. Wright and G. H. Wells, and made payable to Wells & Nieman, of Schuyler, be not paid.
“ W. Wright,
“ G. II. Wells,
“ J. A. Grimison.”
. Plaintiff further avers that it was solely in consideration of the foregoing promise by the defendant, he and the said Wells being on terms of great friendship, that said Wells was induced to and did sign the said note-to Wells & Nieman as security for said Wright.
That the said firm of Wells & Nieman is composed of N. W. Wells and Henry W. Nieman, and that neither of them is related to said George H. Wells.
That afterwards, to-wit, on or about the..............day of..................187..., for a valuable consideration the said George H. Wells assigned the said promissory note or written promise to this plaintiff, in words as follows:
“ Pay H. C. Eussell without recourse.
“G. H. Wells.”
That said note is still the property of this plaintiff. That the defendant has not paid the same nor any part thereof, though often requested to do so. And he still refuses to pay the same.
That there is due the plaintiff thereon, the assignee of GeorgeH. Wells as aforesaid, from the defendant, the sum of one hundred three and dollars, and interest thereon from the 14th day of November, 1877, at the rate of 12 per cent per annum, and an attorney’s fee of 10 per cent of the amount found due.
Wherefore plaintiff prays judgment against said defendant for the sum of one hundred three and dollars, with interest thereon from November 14, 1877, at the rate of 12 per cent per annum, also an attorney’s fee of 10 per cent of the amount found due, together with the costs of this suit.
The defendant below demurred to the petition, and the demurrer being overruled filed an answer wherein he alleges:
First. That he signed the instrument sued on in this action solely and only upon the request and for the accommodation of the said W. Wright, and that he received no
Second. That the written agreement described- in the plaintiff’s petition herein was executed and delivered by the defendant to the said W. Wright at a time subsequent to the time of the execution and delivery by said George H. Wells to said W. Wright of the note described in the condition written on the back of the said instrument described in plaintiff’s petition. ;
'Third. That said George H. Wells was never at any time asked or requested by the defendant to sign the said note mentioned in said condition, nor to give to the said W. Wright any credit or accommodation whatever. That the defendant never at any time promised to the said George H. Wells that he would sign said instrument or any other writing whatever for the accommodation or benefit of the said W. Wright, nor that he would indemnify him in any way for any loss which he, said George H. Wells might sustain by reason of a failure on the part of said W. Wright to pay the said note mentioned in said condition to Said Wells & Nieman, or any part of it. That neither prior to the time when said George H. Wells, signed said note payable to the order of Wells & Nieman, nor ever at any time since, has the defendant promised to the said George H. Wells that he,- the defendant, would in any manner indemnify him, the said George H. Wells, for the payment of any sum of money which he, the said George H. Wells, might be required to pay or did pay on said note described in said condition.
On the trial of the cause the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff below (defendant in error). The testimony shows that the G. H. Wells mentioned in the proceedings is' not a member of the firm of Wells & Nieman. The only question for determination is, did the
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- J. A. Grimison, in error v. H. C. Russell, in error
- Status
- Published