People's Nat. Bank of Tyler v. William Tell Lodge No. 27, I. O. O. F.
People's Nat. Bank of Tyler v. William Tell Lodge No. 27, I. O. O. F.
Opinion of the Court
(after stating the case as above).
The real question involved in- the case is whether or not the bank had the right in the circumstances to pay and charge the account on its books in the name of “Wm. -Tell Lodge #27, I.O.O.F., by E. L. Tucker,” with the checks drawn by E.- L. Tucker. The lodge demanded the money and the bank refused, because it had already paid it out on checks drawn by E. L. Tucker. It is believed that the bank was legally bound to pay the money to the lodge on its demand, as the evidence established the lodge to be the true owner of the money deposited to the knowledge of the bank, and that the bank had timely notice in fact not to pay out the same to E. L. Tucker, and that there was want of authority in E. L. Tucker to check it out.
The facts are conclusive, and’ not in uncertainty: That E. L. Tucker was by telegram appointed a Special Deputy Grand Master with the view and expressed authority to do certain things about the affairs of the local lodge. In keeping with the appointment, he made arrangement with a certified accountant to audit the books of the lodge. The treasurer of the local lodge had the legal control of the funds of the local lodge, and was under bond for their safe-keeping and forthcoming. E. L. Tucker undertook to “temporarily” suspend this treasurer from disbursing lodge money during the period of the audit, and he directed the financial secretary of the local lodge to pay over to him (E. L. Tucker) the lodge moneys as collected during the period of the audit. The lodge money so turned over to E. L. Tucker was by him deposited in the bank in the name of “Wm. Tell Lodge #27, I.O.O.F., by E. L. Tucker.” He at various times during the audit, lasting some three weeks or more,' drew cheeks against the deposit, and the bank paid them. ■ None of the checks are shown to be for indebtedness of the lodge, unless the $500 for audit. That E. L. Tucker was without any authority from the local lodge or the treasurer to check against the deposit or make disbursements in any wise of the lodge funds. That, as found by the jury, the bank was warned not to pay out the money deposited.
It may be conceded that, as a general rule, it is the duty of the bank to pay money on deposit with it to the party in whose name it is deposited. The law presumes that a deposit belongs to and is the money of the person in whose name it is entered, and the bank cannot, as between the bank and the depositor, question his right thereto, and may lawfully pay it out on his demand or check.
The evidence goes to show that $500 was paid by the bank on checks of E. L. Tueker as the audit fee. This was owing by the lodge as the understood cost of the audit which was expressly consented to. The bank should be allowed credit for the payment as a matter of right.
The other assignments of error are overruled.
The judgment is modified so as to allow the credit of $500 audit expenses paid, and, as modified, in all things affirmed for $609, with legal interest thereon.
070rehearing
Appellee’s Motion for Rehearing.
Upon review of the evidence, it is concluded that there is not definite proof as to $200 of the audit fee being paid out of the bank deposits by E. L. Tucker. There does appear affirmatively evidence that $300 of the audit fee was paid out; therefore the motion for rehearing is in part granted, and the sum of $300 only is allowed as a credit to the bank. Accordingly, the judgment is modified so as to allow the credit of $300 audit expense paid, and the judgment as modified will be affirmed for $809, with legal interest thereon.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.