McLaughlin v. Victor Motor Supply Co.
McLaughlin v. Victor Motor Supply Co.
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
The plaintiff issued a writ of replevin for an automobile, the title to which he claimed. No defense was presented by the defendant, but Milton Stern, doing business as Auto Transit Company, intervened and defended the action, alleging that he was the owner of the car. The trial judge gave binding instructions for the plaintiff, as to the Victor Company, and for the defendant, as to the intervening party. Prom the material evidence, which is not contradicted, it appears that the plaintiff made a contract with one, Stetson, for the purchase of a second-hand automobile for $700, on which price the seller accepted a car of the plaintiff’s at the valuation of $275. It was the understanding between the vendor and vendee that the purchase was to be a cash transaction, and that the car was to remain in the possession of the vendor until the whole of the purchase-price was paid. The plaintiff subsequently obtained a check for $430 which he placed, in the hands of one, McCloskey, with instructions to collect the money thereon and pay to Stetson the balance due on the car. McCloskey received the money on the check, but only paid to Stetson $225 on the plaintiff’s account. There was therefore a balance of $200 remaining unpaid on the purchase-price. McCloskey, who seems to have been managing the business for the plaintiff, arranged with Stetson to go to Stem’s place of business and obtain from Stern the amount due on the car. This was done by the making of a bill of sale from Stetson to Stern, whereupon the latter paid the balance due. A lease of the car, with a right of purchase, was then given by Stem to McCloskey. Stern was not informed that the plaintiff had an interest in the car, and as the transaction was concluded, Stern took the place of Stetson with respect to the car. The sale by Stetson having been a cash sale,
The judgment is affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.