First Nat. Bank of Snyder v. Patterson
First Nat. Bank of Snyder v. Patterson
Opinion of the Court
Patterson brought this-suit against appellant to recover the sum. of $233.40, on account of the alleged conversion of a check dated July 5, 1913, in the principal sum of $233.40, drawn by the Missouri State Life Insurance Company upon the National Bank of Commerce of St. Louis, payable to the order of A. M. Avant, Ida A. Avant, and appellant. Patterson was the state agent of the Missouri State Life Insurance Company,- ¡with office and ‘head!-qnarters in Dallas. A. J. McDowell was a subagent of the insurance company, doing business in Scurry county and counties adjacent thereto. He was engaged in writing insurance and making loans for the insurance company as Patterson’s subagent.
It is contended by appellant that Patterson and McDowell were partners in that business, and for the purposes of this opinion it will be assumed that they were. McDowell had written a policy of insurance upon the life of A. M. Avant, and had negotiated a loan to him and his wife, Ida A. Avant. The amount of the check mentioned represented the commission due by the insurance company to Patterson and McDowell for writing the policy and negotiating the loan, plus a rebate of $30.35, which was due the Avants by Patterson and McDowell. On July 5, 1913, the insurance company sent the check mentioned to appellant at Snyder, Tex., with instructions to have the payees therein indorse the same to the order of W7 I-I. Patterson and A. J. McDowell, and after the same had been so indorsed to forward the check to Patterson at ’Dallas. The appellant was named as one of the payees in the check for safety in transmission through the mails. Upon receipt of the check by appellant, the Avants indorsed the same to the order of W. H. Patterson and *1019 A. J. McDowell. McDowell then signed his own name and Patterson’s name upon the back of the check, and the bank paid the check to McDowell. Such indorsement of Patterson’s name was made with the knowledge of the bank’s cashier. McDowell paid to the Avants that portion of the check representing the rebate due them. At that time McDowell was indebted to Patterson in the sum of $225.03, which has never been paid. Prior to July 5, 1913, McDowell had authorized Patterson to retain any money passing through the office and credit his indebtedness therewith. The insurance company gave the instructions mentioned to the bank at Patterson’s request, and same were given for his benefit. Patterson, or some one in his office at Dallas, had also instructed the bank to forward the check to him at Dallas after its indorsement. This instruction was given for. the purpose of enabling the general agent to get a record of the business and to prevent McDowell from getting the proceeds of the check or any part thereof. McDowell and Patterson were sharing the profits and dividing losses in the insurance and loan business in Scurry and other counties. Prior to the cashing of the check, McDowell had been receiving insurance premium checks payable to himself and Patterson, and had been cashing these checks at appellant’s bank, and sending Patterson his portion of the proceeds. McDowell’s share of the check in controversy was $65.99. Prior to the time it was cashed McDowell had agreed with Patterson that Patterson should have the interest of McDowell in the commission upon the Avant policy and loan.
This appeal is prosecuted by the bank from a judgment in favor of Patterson for $203.05, which was the amount of the check less that portion belonging to the Avants. We will not undertake to discuss in detail all of the assignments presented, but for the most part will confine ourselves to a statement of the legal principles controlling the rights of the parties; a detailed disposition of assignments being made only where deemed proper or necessary.
The error, if any, in the admission of the 'testimony complained of in the fourth assignment, does not present reversible error. Bule 62a (149 S. W. x).
We are not clear that the remarks of counsel for appellee complained of in the fifth and sixth assignments were altogether improper. In any event, they are not regarded as presenting reversible error, especially in view of the court’s instruction whereby a portion of the remarks were eliminated from considera! ion.
The sixteenth assignment complains of the admission of testimony. In part the evidence was admissible, and as to that part which was incompetent its admission was harmless error.
All the other assignments presented by appellant have been examined and considered. They are regarded as without merit and are overruled.
Affirmed.
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Reference
- Full Case Name
- First Nat. Bank of Snyder v. Patterson.
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