88 Iowa 536 | Iowa | 1893
The note in suit as it appeared on the trial is in words and figures as follows:
•“$100.00. Des Moines,- Iowa, Sept. 3, 1889.
“Six months after date, for value received, I promise to pay to S. E. McCreary, M. D., or order, one hundred (100) dollars, at Des Moines, Iowa, with interest at ten per cent, per annum, payable annually, and interest in arrears shall draw ten' per cent, interest till paid; and in case of nonpayment of interest when due the whole sum of principal and interest to become due and -collectible at the holder’s option. And, in any action that may be brought for any sum under the provisions •of this note by the holder hereof, he shall be entitled to recover of the maker hereof a reasonable sum as attorney’s fee, to be taxed-by the court.
“Geo. W. Crabtree.”
It bore indorsements as follows:
“Pay to J. W. Whitmore or order, without recourse. S. E. McCreary, M. D.”
“Pay to C. M. Conger, or order, without recourse.
“J. W. Whitmore.”
It has been held in some cases that the holder of a note has an implied power to fill blanks which were-not filled when it was delivered. But whether a power to fill such blanks as those in controversy may exist by implication, in any event, we need not determine. In. this case it is shown, clearly, that it was withheld. The filling of the blanks was unauthorized, and was-designed to affect the liability of the maker of the note, by increasing the amount for which he was liable. 'The-alteration was therefore material, and a forgery, and rendered the note void, as between the maker and the-party who made the alteration. Code, section 3917; First Nat. Bank v. Hall, 83 Iowa, 645; Smith v. Eals, 81 Iowa, 235; Adair v. Egland, 58 Iowa, 314; Tied. Com. Paper, sections 391, 394; McGrath v. Clark, 56 N. Y. 34; Cape Ann. Nat. Bank v. Burns, 129 Mass. 596. Such an alteration may be shown as against an innocent purchaser for value, before maturity. Charlton v. Reed, 61 Iowa, 166; Knoxville Nat. Bank v. Clark, 51 Iowa, 265.
It is possible that the-maker of an altered note may be estopped to deny liability on account of it because of negligence on his part in delivering it with unfilled' blanks, but we do not think it can be said, as a matter-
It follows from what we have said that the district court erred in directing a verdict for the plaintiff. Its judgment is, therefore, reversed.