Lead Opinion
The facts which there is at least evidence tending to prove are set out quite fully in the opinion
Relying upon the husband’s appearance of ownership, appellant’s debts were contracted and their mortgage rights accrued.
The authorities, both within and without our State, forbid that appellee should be heard in court to deny the rights thus acquired by appellant.
The principle at the basis of all estoppels in pais is, that whenever one of two innocent persons must suffer by the act of a third, he who has enabled such third person to occasion the loss must sustain it. Lickbarrow v. Mason, 2 T. R. 70; Preston v. Witherspoon, 109 Ind. 457.
As expressed by the supreme court of the United States, the vital principle is that he who by his language or conduct, leads another to do what he would not otherwise have done, shall not subject such person to loss or injury by disappointing the expectations upon which he acted. Such a change of position is sternly forbidden.” Dickerson v. Colgrove, 100 U. S. 578, approved in Quick v. Milligan, 108 Ind. 419.
Neither is it essential in order to the existence of an equitable estoppel that there should be at the time a design to deceive or defraud. “The person against whom the estoppel is asserted must by his silence or his representations, have created a belief of the existence of a state of facts, which it would be unconscionable to
In Moore v. Moore, 112 Ind. 149, where one by fraud procured the assignment by indorsement of a promissory note not payable in bank, the real owner was held estopped to claim the note as against subsequent assignee for value without knowledge of the fraud. The court in its opinion says: ‘1 The more modern rule upon the subject under consideration seems to be, that where the owner of things in action, although not technically negotiable, has clothed another, to whom they are delivered, in the method common to all mercantile communities, with the usual apparent indicia'of title, he will be estopped from setting up against a second assignee, to whom the securities have been transferred for value and without notice, that the title of the first assignee was not perfect and absolute.”
In Hirsch v. Norton, Admr., 115 Ind. 341, Hirsch had transferred to Study certain shares of bank stock in regular form, but with a written agreement that the stock actually remained the property of Hirsch. The court held that as against those with whom Study dealt and who gave him credit on the faith that he owned the stock, he was in equity to be deemed the owner. Elliott, J., in the course of the decision says: ££The transfer made by the appellant gave to Study all the evidence of title that it was possible for the one to create or the other to acquire, and as to those who in good faith gave Study credit on the faith of his legal ownership, the appellant cannot be allowed to make available the secret agreement between him and his assignee. He voluntarily put it in the power of Stildy to secure credit upon the faith of his ownership of the stock, and as against creditors he cannot be heard to aver that the secret
The case of Minnich v. Shaffer, 135 Ind. 634, decides that if A allows lands paid for by her to be deeded to B, and third persons extend credit to B upon the faith of his ownership of the land, A will be estopped to assert title against such creditors.
These cases establish the proposition that it is unnecessary to the existence of an estoppel, that the party estopped should have acted with reference to the particular creditor injured.
Effort is made to distinguish the last three cases from the one in hand because of the fact that in them the legal title was actually vested in the apparent owner.
As we regard the law it is immaterial whether the legal title is vested or only the apparent legal title.
So far as concerns all the reasoning and principle on which these decisions are based, they apply to an apparent title and right of disposition as well as to a legal title. The equities, and it is with these we are dealing, are as strong in the one case as in the other.
The law applicable here is correctly laid down in Preston v. Witherspoon, supra, by Zollars, J. There, certain farmers deposited their wheat with an elevator company to be returned in kind. They knew the custom
“As a general proposition, it is well settled, both in law and reason, that no one can convey a better title to property than he has. In other words, no one without title to property can convey title thereto, and thus defeat the claims of the rightful owner. But there are many cases where the owner of property will be estopped to assert his title thereto as against an innocent purchaser for value. We think this is such a case. As we have seen, appellants knew that their wheat was to be, and was commingled with wheat purchased by the elevator company, and that company was selling and publicly shipping from the common mass. They, therefore, knew that others were purchasing the wheat from the elevator company, in the usual course of business, and paying their money therefor. By thus putting their wheat into the possession of the elevator company, and allowing it to sell and ship from the common mass, they clothed that company with an apparent ownership of, and authority to sell, the wheat, which estops them to assert their title thereto, as against W., B. & Co., who invested their money in good faith, believing that to be a
‘ ‘As between appellants and the elevator company, the question is, what authority did the elevator company in fact have to sell and dispose of their wheat ? As between appellants and W., B. & Co., the question is, with what apparent authority did appellants clothe the elevator company to sell and dispose of their wheat ?”
This case we regard as conclusive as to the merits of the cause in hand.
The position which we take is in exact harmony with the views of the most eminent text writers upon this subject.
In Bigelow on Estop., the law is thus declared: “In accordance with this case it is now a well established principle that where the true owner of property, for however short a time, holds out another, or allows another to appear, as the owner of or as having the full power of disposition over, the property the same being in the latter’s actual possession, and innocent third parties are thus led into dealing with such apparent owner, they will be protected. ”
In Herman on Estop., section 97 8, we find the following: “Where the owner holds out another, or allows him to appear as the owner of, or as having full power of disposition over, the property, and innocent third parties are led into dealing with such apparent owner, they will be protected. ”
In Anderson v. Armstead, 69 Ill. 152, Justice Schofield, speaking for the court, says: ‘ ‘ The law is familiar, that where the owner of property holds out another, c allows him to appear, as the owner, or as having full power of disposition over the property, * they will be protected. Their rights in such cases do not depend upon the actual title or authority of the party with whom
Again, in the same case, it is said: “It is immaterial as we have already shown, whether she in fact authorized the particular contract to be made or not. The question is not what power did her husband actually have over the property, but what power did she, by her acts and omissions, permit him to represent himself to the appellant to have. ”
The application of the principles declared by these authorities appears to me to make it clear that in this case, if the appellee permitted her husband to run this business in his own name, buy the goods in his own name, return them for taxation as his, appear to the world as in all things the absolute owner of them with the power of disposition which belongs to such an owner, and contract debts in the course of his business as such owner, she is estopped to deny such ownership as against appellants, who in the regular course of business, relying on such apparent ownership, sold him goods on credit and then took a mortgage thereon to secure the debt, granting an extension of time in consideration thereof. Whatever there may be in the case of McGirr v. Sell, 60 Ind. 249, asserting an opposite doctrine, is in our judgment contrary to the principles of the law and to the later authorities, both within and without our State.
The instructions of the trial court were not in harmony with the views of the law which we have expressed. If they are right the judgment should be reversed.
Under the decision in Hirsch v. Norton, Admr., supra,
In view of the fact that the supreme court has in Hirsch v. Norton, Admr., supra, distinguished the case of McGirr v. Sell, and has never in terms overruled it, this case is ordered transferred to the supreme court with the recommendation that that case be overruled.
Dissenting Opinion
Dissenting Opinion.
The facts of this case as disclosed by the evidence are briefly as follows:
In August, 1885, the appellee, Jennie Klinsick, was a married woman, the wife of one William Klinsick. She was sole owner of about $1,300 in money which she had realized from property inherited by her. Her husband was a druggist by profession, and was desirous of engaging in that business. A stock of drugs and fixtures situate in a certain building in the city of Logansport, were for sale. Mrs. Klinsick gave her husband the said $1,300 for the purpose of purchasing said stock and fixtures, and with which he did purchase the same. He immediately took possession thereof and made arrangements to continue the business at the same place. He put a sign on the window in large letters in these words, “Klinsick’s Drug Store.” He had letter heads- and prescription blanks printed and relabeled the goods-in his own name. He conducted said business in his-own name from the time of the purchase until shortly before this action was commenced in January, 1892.
During the time William Klinsick was engaged in said business, his wife, the appellee, gave him $600 or $700 in addition to the original purchase-price, to be used in said business, and which was used in the same. No note or other evidence of indebtedness was ever taken by Mrs. Klinsick on account of such moneys. Nor was there ever any settlement or statement of account between them. The appellants, A. Kiefer & Co., had no knowledge that Mrs. Klinsick had any interest in or made any claim to said store or goods until shortly before this
She brought this action to recover the value of the goods alleged to have been converted. The appellants answered the general denial and two special paragraphs in estoppel. The issues joined were tried by a jury which returned a verdict for appellee in the sum of $690, on which final judgment was rendered.
The only assignment of error discussed by appellants’ counsel is that of overruling the motion for a new trial. In their motion for a new trial the appellants charged that the trial court erred in excluding certain evidence offered by them, and in improperly instructing the jury and in refusing to instruct the jury as requested by them.
On the trial the appellants were permitted to give in evidence the declaration of William Klinsick concerning said business and the manner in which he conducted the samó. On one occasion, William Klinsick was at the business house of A. Kiefer & Oo., in Indianapolis. Pie was not there for the purpose of buying goods but simply made a social call. Appellants then propounded to their witness, one of the appellants then testifying, this question: ‘ ‘ State what, if anything, he ever said to you at any time before the commencement of this suit, during the time he was running the drug store here in Logansport about the ownership of the drug store ? ” The court sustained an obj ection to the question. Conceding that the declarations of William Klinsick while in the actual possession of the goods or while in the transaction of business pertaining to said store were competent, this question is too general, as it is not limited to the time when in possession or while in the transaction of business pertaining to the store. In view of the fact that the appellants were permitted to give in evidence the declarations and conduct of William Klinsick, and the manner in
The court also of its own motion gave several instructions to the jury bearing upon other questions to which the appellants excepted. The appellants presented to and requested the court to instruct the jury on the subjects of agency and estoppel in pais. The court refused these requests. These instructions are very lengthy and we will not encumber this opinion by setting them out.
If upon the above facts, tbe law is with the appellee, then the ultimate judgment is right and no intervening error, if any there be, will avail the appellants in securing a reversal.
In this branch of the case, the appellants contend first, that the facts disclose that William Klinsick was the agent of the appellee, with full authority to mortgage the stock in his own name for her; second, that the facts establish an equitable estoppel against her.
The usual method of transacting business by an agent is to use the name of the principal, but if the agent
Conceding, without deciding that the facts of this case show that William Klinsick was the general agent of Mrs. Klinsick, in the management of the business and had the power of buying goods upon credit, and to retail them and to apply the proceeds to the payment of the debts contracted, it does not follow that he had authority to execute the mortgage. An agent, to sell either real or- personal property has no power to mortgage. Jeffrey v. Hursh, 49 Mich. 31; Wood v. Goodridge, 6 Cush. 117; Mechem on Agency, sections 323, 361.
In Switzer v. Wilvers, 24 Kas. 384, 36 Am. Rep. 269, the plaintiff left a colt with the defendant with authority to sell the animal. The defendant, without authority, executed a chattel mortgage in his own name to another party. It was held that the mortgage was void and that a power to sell does not authorize a mortgage. If the owner of the personal property place another in possession with full power to sell for cash or on credit, at wholesale or at retail, a sale made by such person will confer a valid title, whether the sale be made in the agent’s name or in the name of the principal. Or if the owner of personal property sell it upon credit and deliver the same to his vendee for the apparent or implied purpose of re-sale by such vendee, a condition in the contract that the title shall remain in the vendor until the purchase-price is paid, is void as against a purchaser from his
A chattel mortgage is a conditional sale, and upon the breach of condition, the sale becomes absolute. If appellants’ mortgage be upheld it results in a sale at wholesale. The facts of this case, however, show that only a retail business was contemplated by the appellee. A power to sell at retail does not authorize a sale at wholesale.
The last contention that the appellee is estopped by her acts, declarations and conduct to assert a claim to the goods adverse to that of appellants is the most important question in the case. The estoppel soug’ht to be invoked against the appellee assumes or proceeds upon the theory that she was originally the owner of the goods, but that owing to her conduct she has lost her title thereto.
The vital principle of an equitable estoppel is that of fraud. He, who by his language or conduct, leads another to do what he would not otherwise have done, will not be permitted to subject such person to loss or injury, by disappointing the expectations upon which he acted. A change of position by the first party would involve both fraud and falsehood, and the law abhors both. The principles of estoppel in pais have been applied to a great variety of cases. The doctrine has no application where everything is equally known to both parties, or where the party sought to be estopped was ignorant of
The appellants claim title to the property through the mortgage. The facts of this case, however, show that the appellee had no knowledge of the execution of the mortgage and that she never authorized it. If she had no knowledge, the execution of the mortgage could not of itself work an estoppel against her. It is true that title may be created by an estoppel in pais. Pitcher v. Dove, 99 Ind. 175. But the person who invokes this principle must invoke it for himself and not in the interest of a third party.
The appellants contend that the appellee estopped herself by her conduct in permitting her husband to take and remain in possession of said goods for more than six
It will be observed that this contention is not based upon the conduct of the appellee at the time of the execution of the mortgage, but upon her declarations and conduct prior to that time. The rights of A. Kiefer & Co. in the property in controversy, if any they had, prior to the execution of the mortgage,were only such rights as they acquired by reason of being creditors of either the appellee or of William Klinsick. The right that a general creditor has in the property of his debtor is extremely vague and uncertain; but as the right may ripen into something tangible, and as it is the duty of a debtor to apply his property in discharge of his debts, the law will protect the creditor against the fraudulent operations of the debtor and will aid the creditor in subjecting the debtor’s property to the payment of his debts.
If one person permit another to use his property, exercising all the powers of ownership over it for the purpose of giving such other person credit and financial standing, and such other person contract obligations upon the faith created by reason of such ostensible ownership, the real owner will be estopped to deny the right of such creditors to subject such property to the payment of their claims.
Again, if one knowingly or negligently permit another to use his property,- exercising all of the powers of disposition over it, and knows or might have known by reasonable diligence, that third parties were dealing
If A allows lands paid for by him to be taken in the name of B, and third persons deal with and give B credit, without knowledge of the rights of A, A will be estopped to assert an interest in the lands as against such creditors. Minnich v. Shaffer, 135 Ind. 634; Michener v. Bengel, 135 Ind. 138; Adams v. Curtis, 137 Ind. 175
A deed of conveyance is the highest evidence of title to real estate and when coupled with possession, the grantee has all the indicia of title. The statute, section 3335, R. S. 1891, requires all conveyances of land to be by deed in writing subscribed, sealed and duly acknowledged. When the debtor exhibits his deed, or the creditor learns of it through the- record, the creditor has the right to rely upon it for all it purports to be. The same rule holds good in reference to the transfer of certain kinds of personal property, such as shares of stock in corporations ; such transfer being regulated by statute.
In Hirsch v. Norton, Admr., 115 Ind. 341, it appeared that Hirsch assigned and transferred ten shares of bank stock to one Study, and caused a formal transfer to be made upon the books of the corporation; the bank issued a certificate for the ten shares to Study. At the time of the transfer, Hirsch and Study entered into a secret agreement to the effect that Hirsch should remain the owner of the stock. The court held that the creditors of Study whose claims were contracted- upon the faith of such ownership, would be protected against such secret agreement. That decision rests upon the fact that the shares of stock were a peculiar kind of personal property and
In Moore v. Moore, 112 Ind. 149, it was held that where the holder of a promissory note is induced by fraud and without consideration to endorse and deliver to another who afterwards endorsed it to an innocent purchaser, the original holder was estopped to deny the title of the fraudulent endorsee as against the last purchaser. That decision rests primarily upon the fact that the statute, section 7515, R. S. 1894, provides that all promissory notes “ shall be negotiable by endorsement thereon so as to vest the property thereof in each endorsee successively. ” The first endorser clothed her endorsee with every indicia of title and put it in his power to transfer the note with all the evidence of ownership being in him. To permit the first endorser to question the title in the hands of the last holder would be a palpable fraud such as the law will not tolerate. 2 Herman Estop., section 978.
The case before us is distinguishable from the above cases cited and relied upon by the appellants. In those cases the effort was to obtain the judgment of the court affecting the status of particular property. And in those cases also the debtor' or the vendor was clothed with all the evidences of title. Here William Klinsick had possession of the goods which was only prima facie evidence of title in him. Such personal property as is here
The appellants also assert that there is an element of estoppel in the declaration of the appellee when she stated to their attorney that the' debt and the store belonged to her husband. They claim that they were induced to extend the time of payment and to take a mortgage on the faith of this declaration. But the
The case of Preston v. Witherspoon, 109 Ind. 457, relied on in the majority opinion does not in my judgment support the position of the appellants. There “Runde & Wallace” were engaged in selling and shipping wheat and receiving wheat for storage for hire from farmers and on demand of the depositors they agreed “to return to them wheat of a like kind, quality and amount as that deposited, but not the identical tvheat.” There was a direct authority given by the depositors to Runcie & Wallace to sell their wheat in the very manner in which it was sold, and of course the depositors could not assert title to it after it had passed into the hands of innocent purchasers. The principles of that case have no application to the case at bar. Here the right to sell at retail is conceded, but the sale was not at retail. There is not a shadow of evidence that William Klinsick had any authority to mortgage the property or sell at wholesale, as the agent of appellee. Nor do I consider the cases to set aside fraudulent conveyances and to subject property to sale on execution in point. In such cases the effort is to reach specific property for a specific purpose.
The case of McGrirr v. Sells, 60 Ind. 249, is a much stronger case in its facts than the one at bar, and as I think correct in principle. The appellee ought not be placed in a worse position or the appellants in a better position than if this were an action to set aside a fraudulent conveyance. And yet this will be the result if appellants prevail. The appellee will be stripped of her rights of exemption.