McPherson v. Andes

75 Mo. App. 204 | Mo. Ct. App. | 1898

Gill, J. —

In December, 1893, plaintiff and defendant each signing his own name executed to the bank of Mound City their promissory note for $1,595. On the face of the note, and immediately under the names of the makers, was written: “This isa partnership note between W. O. Andes and A. L. McPherson.” The note was not paid at maturity; the bank sued both makers; recovered judgment against them jointly; this judgment was paid by McPherson; and then he brought suit against Andes for the one half, resulting in a verdict and judgment for plaintiff, and defendant appealed.

The sole defense of Andes was that he signed the note with McPherson as the latter’s surety and not as a joint and several obligor. It seems that Andes and McPherson together canvassed Holt county for an insurance company and took from those applying for policies various notes covering first premiums. McPherson was agent for the insurance company and he secured the services of Andes because of the latter’s acquaintance in that section. These notes of different parties were sold and discounted to the Mound City bank and out of the proceeds McPherson and Andes divided equally the portion belonging to them as agent’s commission. At the time of the sale of these notes to the bank plaintiff and defendant gave their written guaranty that the notes would be paid. The notes however were not paid, and the bank insisting that the guaranty be made good, plaintiff first and then defendant went to the bank and signed the note before mentioned.

quent admission without objecThe first error complained of relates to the court’s action in admitting evidence over defendant’s objection as to a conversation had between plaintiff and the bank cashier at the, time the no|-e wag signe(j anq in the absence of the defendant. Defendant is in no condition to complain of this, if error it was, because subsequently at the trial evidence of the same tenor and nature, concerning the identical conversation was permitted to go in without objection. The error was thereby cured. Ben. Soc. v. Lackland, 97 Mo. 137.

As to the court’s rulings on instructions we discover no substantial error. They fairly submitted the sole and only question of fact left for the determination of the jury — that is, whether or not defendant signed the note as a partner or joint obligor or as plaintiff’s security; and the jury have settled that issue in the only way that it could have been decided in face of the evidence which was overwhelmingly in favor of plaintiff’s contention.

several makers: fosuret1*011 as The court properly gave plaintiff’s instruction number 4 and committed no error in refusing defendant’s number 4. On the face of the note there was a pnma jacte liability against defendant; it purported to be the joint note or obligation of the two parties signing it, and besides carried in its face the declaration that it was a partnership obligation. “Where several persons execute a promissory note and there is nothing on its face to show their relations to each other, there is no presumption from the order in which they sign that any, or which, of the signers are sureties.” 1 Brandt on Surety and Gr., sec. 33; 2 Eandolph on Com. Paper, sec. 906; Hollegas v. Stephenson, 75 Mo. loc. cit. 120.

The judgment is clearly for the right party and will be affirmed.

All concur.