Stires v. First National Bank
Stires v. First National Bank
Opinion of the Court
This case is before us on a rehearing. It appears that one Garrett Hulst, a merchant doing business at Columbus, Nebraska, was insolvent, and, so far as the record discloses, owed but four creditors, namely: The Hundley-Smith Dry Goods Company, $11,560.40; the First National Bank of Columbus, $7,130.50; Columbus State Bank $10,995.98; and Lucy Iiulst (his mother), $1.2,724. The last named debt was evidenced by his promissory note, which will be hereafter called the Lucy Hulst note. The Lucy Hulst note had been indorsed by her and delivered to the Hundley-Smith Dry Goods Company as collateral security for its account against her son. She had also indorsed his notes to the First National Bank. The dry goods company was threatening bankruptcy proceedings against Garrett Hulst; and to prevent such action, to conserve his assets and to enable him to continue in business, the banks entered into the contract referred to in the pleadings, in the briefs, and in our former opinion. The negotiations originally contemplated that the banks should jointly take up the dry goods company’s account, but the national bank failed to consummate the arrangement. Thereupon the state bank purchased said account, and took an assignment of all of the Hulst book accounts, and a second assignment from Lucy Hulst of her note to secure; not only the dry goods company’s account, but the indebtedness of Garrett Hulst to said bank. The Lucy Hulst note was turned over by the dry goods
We are still of opinion that, when Garrett Hulst assented to the arrangement betAveen his creditors, he thereby made an equitable assignment of his estate to them, xyith preference to the dry goods company account, and equal rights in proportion to their claim as to the other creditors. It seems clear that at that time it was not belieAred by the creditors that bankruptcy proceedings would be instituted, but that Hulst’s debts Avould be liquidated in the ox'dinary course of business. All of the creditors expected the dry goods company account to be paid in full before any other debt would be paid. It Avas also understood and agreed that after the payment of that account there would remain but three creditors, to wit, the banks and Lucy Hulst, and the contract provided for the payment of their claims pro rata. None of the parties hereto claims any peculiar rights under the bankruptcy Iuav, and this case should be determined ac
It is urged, however, that the state bank has, by its pleading's, repudiated the contract and cannot now claim anything thereunder. In some forms of actions this might be so, but this is a proceeding brought by the trustee in bankruptcy for the sole purpose of his own protection in distributing the assets of the bankrupt, and, no matter what the contentions of the creditors may be, he is entitled to a decree which will determine their equities and be a full protection to him as against their claims.
We are satisfied that our former judgment is right, and therefore it is adhered to.
Judgment accordingly.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- J. D. Stires v. First National Bank of Columbus, appellant Columbus State Bank
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published