Durr v. Wildish, 108 Wis. 401

108 Wis. 401 | Wis. | 1900

Bakdeem, J.

The mortgage in suit contained the following provision: “ The mortgagors shall have the right to sell goods covered by this mortgage, and add to the stock by purchasing other goods. It is especially agreed that this mortgage shall and does cover such after-acquired property.” Further than as above stated, no provision was made regarding the disposition of the proceeds of such sales. The •complaint and the evidence show that while the mortgagor was in possession he sold goods to the amount of $6,690.53, and expended $4,423.36 in additions to the stock; that during this period he had paid about $165 on the mortgage debt, leaving over $1,500 wholly unaccounted for, even if he paid for all additions to the stock,— a fact not shown.

A mortgage which permits the mortgagor to remain in possession of the mortgaged property, and to sell it and apply the proceeds, partially or wholly, to his private use, is void as to creditors. Place v. Langworthy, 13 Wis. 629; Blakeslee v. Rossman, 43 Wis. 116. The same is true if the mortgage is given with the understanding, express or implied, that the mortgagor shall go on selling the property in the usual course of trade, applying the proceeds to his own use. Anderson v. Patterson, 64 Wis. 557; Bank of Kaukauna v. Joannes, 98 Wis. 321; Charles Baumbach Co. v. Hobkirk, 104 Wis. 488. Where any such understanding exists, the fact that the mortgagee has taken possession of the property does not validate it in a contest with creditors. Blakeslee v. Rossman, supra. It is probable that since the passage of ch. 241, Laws of 1887, and in view of the decision in Roundy v. Converse, 71 Wis. 524, a mortgage which permits the mortgagor to sell the property and make additions to the stock, and does not make express provision as to the application of proceeds, might be held valid where statements were filed as required by the statute. But in this case it is admitted that no such statements were filed as were required by the statute.

The record shows that the mortgagor was left in possession, and was permitted to make sales; that over $1,500 of such proceeds were applied to his personal use. There is no allegation that it was so applied contrary to any agreement or understanding of the parties. The inference is that it was so used by the mortgagor in accordance with some agreement. If such agreement existed, the mortgage was absolutely void as to creditors; and the fact — if it is a fact— that the mortgagee afterwards took possession did not change the situation. Charles Baumbach Co. v. Hobkirk, 104 Wis. 488. When, in such a case, the mortgage is silent as to the disposition of the proceeds of sale made by the mortgagor over and above the additions to the stock, the law . would presume that such proceeds were to be applied in satisfaction of the mortgage debt. But when the complaint and the evidence show sales largely in excess of the additions, and an application of only a small portion of such excess upon the mortgage debt, to the knowledge of the mortgagee, the court will be justified in assuming that the remainder was used by the mortgagor pursuant to some understanding, express or implied, with the mortgagee. No objection seems to have been made by the mortgagee to the policy pursued by the mortgagor. The bank was the actual owner of the mortgage. Its officials knew the facts, as a portion of the money was checked out through the bank. Mr. Pullen, the cashier, was frequently in the store. He is presumed to be familiar with the transactions of the bank. There is no pretense that the parties were not familiar with the transactions alleged in the complaint. No explanation is offered or reason given why the balance of sales over additions was not applied to reduce the mortgage debt. Admitting that the mortgage was valid on its face, if the agreement mentioned existed the inevitable tendency and effect of the mortgage was to hinder and delay the collection of debts against the mortgagor. Anderson v. Patterson, 64 Wis. 557; Bank of Kaukauna v. Joannes, 98 Wis. 321.

But it is said no such issue is tendered by the answer. That is true, but very many of the facts mentioned appear on the face of the complaint. Considerable of the testimony came in without objection. During the trial testimony was offered by defendants as to the removal of some of the stock at One time to another store. This was objected to by plaintiff as not being within the issues raised by the pleadings. The court admitted it “ for the purpose of showing that upon the grounds alleged in the answer the mortgage was void, and for the further purpose of determining wbo had the possession of the goods from and after the 9th of December, 1897, and for no other purpose.” The record further shows that, as some of the testimony bearing upon the disposition of the proceeds of sales by the mortgagor was being offered, plaintiff’s counsel remarked to the court, “ All under the same limitation,” to which the court made no response. It is needless to say that such an objection is insufficient. Substantially all of the evidence bearing upon the fact last suggested came in without any proper objection thereto. The evidence is in the case, which, with the facts set out in the complaint, is sufficient to sustain the conclusion reached by the trial judge that the mortgage was void as to creditors, although he put it upon other grounds.

It is further argued that there was no proper evidence that the mortgagor had other creditors. The evidence on that point was the record of the proceedings in the voluntary assignment made by the mortgagor December 13,1897. This record showed claims filed to the amount, of $4,978.28, and that $2,244.28 of claims were not objected to. This included plaintiff’s claim now in suit. The plaintiff had become a party to the assignment proceedings, and had had a contest with the assignee as to the possession of the property, which came to this court. Durr v. Wildish, 100 Wis. 411. We see no good reason why such record was not properly admissible to establish the amount of the mortgagor’s indebtedness.

The view we have taken of the case renders it unnecessary to discuss the question whether plaintiff’s alleged possession of the mortgaged property was forcible or not. We are convinced that the record shows that the mortgagor was selling goods and applying a portion of the proceeds to his own use pursuant to some agreement with the mortgagee which rendered the mortgage void as to creditors.

By the Court.— The portion of the judgment appealed from is affirmed.