Buck Stove Co. v. Johnson
Buck Stove Co. v. Johnson
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
John Johnson and E. E. Risk were partners doing business in the city of Memphis. On the 26th of September, 1876, complainant recovered a judgment against them for $4,933.26. Execution issued, and was returned nulla bona.
After suit brought and before judgment, and on the 1st of February, 1875, Risk and Johnson dissolved, Johnson selling out to Risk. It is provided in the terms of sale: “ Risk . assumes payment of each and all the debts and liabilities of every kind whatever of each and both of said firms, and obligates himself to pay the same, and protect and keep said Johnson harmless from the payment of any part thereof. The bills receivable, book accounts, and all debts of every kind payable or belonging to said firm, whether due or not due, remain and continue the joint prop
In June, 1875, Johnson conveyed “all” his “right, title and interest of every kind which belongs or may be coming to me as a member of the late firms of Johnson, Risk & Co., and Risk & Johnson, under and by virtue of the agreement and articles of dissolution,” &c., to secure his individual debt.
This bill is filed against several defendants. We need only notice Frank & Co., whose demurrer was sustained by the chancellor.
It is a well established rule that partnership property is first liable to partnership debts. The terms of the dissolution of the firms, and the sale by one partner to the other, kept the firm property impressed with its liability to firm debts. They undertook by it to indemnify the retiring partner against loss on account of partnership debts, and' although the language gives the lien and mortgage for the security of the retiring member, still, both' being insolvent, as the bill charges, the creditors, whose debts are indemnified against in the interest of one partner, may be subro-gated to his rights under the deed of sale and dissolution. Until Risk had discharged his "'obligation to pay debts, he could only convey subject to the liens and incumbrances imposed on his title. So long as there were partnership debts, any conveyance by Johnson of his interest in the lien or mortgaged property
• Decree reversed and cause remanded.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.