67 Ind. 345 | Ind. | 1879
The appellant brought this suit against the appellees, on a promissory note made by Conrad Weckerly and James J. Weckerly, payable to the order of E. E. Jones, at the First National Bank, Indianapolis, Indiana,
Issues of fact were joined, and a trial by jury had, which resulted in a verdict for James J. Weckerly, and against certain other parties who are not complaining. Judgment was rendered for James J. Weckerly, against the appellant, from Avhich this appeal is taken.
We do not state the proceedings at length, as the contest arises solely between the appellant and James J. Weckerly, who, as a second paragraph of answer, pleaded as follows:
“ That, about the date of said paper sued upon, the payee of said note,, or his agents, came to this defendant and proposed to give him an agency to sell-Improved Lifting Jack, in Marion county, Indiana, and read to this defendant a paper, which, as read to him, was appointing this defendant an agent for the sale of said Lifting Jack, and nothing more ; that, at the time of said transaction, he could not see to read or write; that he authorized his name to be written to a paper such as read to him, and nothing else, and if it was signed to the paper sued upon, it was so signed without his knowledge or consent, and without any fault or negligence whatever on his part.”
A demurrer, stating the want of facts as ground, was overruled to this paragraph of answer, and exception reserved. This ruling presents the only question in the case.
We are compelled to say that this paragraph is a very feeble answer to a promissory note governed by the law merchant, in the hands of an innocent holder. It does not show but that the facts averred transpired after the note was signed, but says that they occurred “ about the date of
The judgment in favor of James J. "\Veckerly and against the appellant is reversed, at the costs of said James; the cause is remanded, with instructions to sustain the demurrer of the appellant to the second paragraph of said Weckerly’s separate answer, and for further proceedings.