Nye v. Elyria Savings & Trust Co.
Nye v. Elyria Savings & Trust Co.
Opinion of the Court
The original action was brought by the Elyria Savings & Trust Co. against George L. Nye and others in the Lorain Common Pleas. The petition of the Trust Co. declared upon certain notes given by Nye which were made payable to John Pekras and Melton Phelos. The notes were endorsed by Pekros and Phelos in blank. An answer was filed by Nye charging fraud in the consideration of the notes and notices thereof by the Trust Co. The company filed a reply denying the charge of fraud and also lack of diligence and estoppel in respect to the charge of fraud. At the conclusion of the evidence the trial court instructed the jury to return a verdict against Nye and in favor of the company for $25,510.00. Error was prosecuted and the Cofirt of Appeals held:
1. The negotiability of the notes is challenged because of the following recital contained therein:
“All of the conditions governing such securities, aforesaid, and the rights and privileges of the holder of such series of notes, are fully set forth in the declaration of trust this day made by the Elyria Savings & Trust Co. and approved by the payees of this note and the holders of such secutirite.” It is contended that the above quoted recital destroys the negotiability of the notes.
2. The recital related only to securities pledged as collateral. It does not affect the terms of the note upon which its negotiability depends, and under the law a recital of the securities of a negotiable instrument providing for securities for the payments provided for in the instrument does not render the instrument non-negotiable. The Trust Co. was therefore entitled to assert its rights as holder of the negotiable instrument.
3. It would be difficult to find any basis whatever to charge the Trust Co. with the knowledge which Nye himself does not claim to have discovered for more than four years.
4. Even if there was slight evidence, or a
Judgment against Nye affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.