15 Kan. 612 | Kan. | 1875
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The question in this case is as to the priority of certain liens. The matter’ was tried before a referee, who filed his report, with findings of fact and conclusions of law. He gave plaintiff in error priority over Barnwell, defendant in error. The district court, however, upon the facts as reported by the referee,'awarded priority to Barnwell. No objection’was made by plaintiff in error to the referee’s report, and no motion made by him to set it aside. The facts therefore as found by the referee, are beyond question, and the only matter for consideration is the judgment required upon such facts. The district court was not bound by the conclusions of law of the referee, any more than this court is bound by the conclusions of the district court. It was the duty of that court, upon examination of the facts found, to see that the proper judgment was entered upon them, whatever might have been the conclusions of the referee, as it is the duty of this court upon a reexamination to see if there has been any error in the conclusions and judgment of that court, and if so to direct the entry of the proper judgment.
Which lien was prior? Barnwell claimed a mortgage; Martsolf a mechanic’s lien. Barnwell’s mortgage was executed and recorded August 21st, 1871. Martsolf’s 'contract for work was executed, and his work commenced, August 23d, 1871. Upon this alone, Barnwell would have unquestioned priority. As against this, it is claimed that, prior to the execution of the mortgage there was an understanding between the mortgagee, the lot-owner, and Martsolf, by which Martsolf
Again: It is said that the money was to be advanced as the work progressed, and that in fact only a small portion was advanced prior to the commencement of the work, and that therefore to the extent of such prior advancement alone could Barnwell’s mortgage be preferred to the mechanic’s lien. In this we think counsel are mistaken. The mortgage was for a single, fixed amount, and contained no provision for future advances. Now, if it be true, that equity will look' behind the face of the mortgage, and date the liens from, the times of the several advances of money by the mortgagee, (and upon this question we express no opinion,) it will also upon the same principle date the mechanic’s liens from the times of furnishing material and doing work. If the one can claim a lien only from the time of paying over his money, surely the other can claim his only from the time of supplying material and doing work. At such times only