62 Neb. 501 | Neb. | 1901
This is an appeal from a decree foreclosing two real estate mortgages covering the same land given by the defendants, Alfred S. Litchenberger and Julia E. Litchenberger, to one James W. Stratton.
The first contention in this court is that the first count of the petition does not state a cause of action, because it does not contain an allegation as to which defendant plaintiff claimed was in debt on the cause of action. This criticism upon the pleading lacks merit. The first count is
The principal note set forth in the first count of the petition was as follows :
“York, Nebraska, April J, 1891.
“On the 7th day of April, 1896, I promise to pay to James W. Stratton, or order, fifteen hundred dollars with interest from this date until paid at the rate of eight per cent, per annum, payable annually, as per coupons hereto attached. Yalue received. Principal and interest payable at York, Nebraska. Should any of said interest not be paid when due, it shall bear interest at the rate of ten per cent, per annum, payable annually from time same becomes due, and upon failure to pay any of said interest within thirty days after due, the holder may elect to consider the whole note due, and it may be collected at once. This note to draw ten per cent, after maturity.
“Alfred S. Litchenberger."
In the decree interest was allowed on the foregoing note at the rate of ten per cent, after the maturity of the obligation, of which action of the trial court complaint is now made. The fair and reasonable interpretation of the note
Alfred S. Litchenberger had taken out a policy of insurance on the mortgaged premises, loss payable to mortgagee. A note was given for the premium, which Litchenberger failed to pay at maturity, and plaintiff paid the same, and the amount thereof was allowed him in the decree. Defendants urge that in this the trial court erred because the petition discloses that plaintiff did not pay the premium note until after the foreclosure suit was brought, and no supplemental petition was filed setting up such payment. The suit was instituted on March 19, 1897, and the petition avers that the premium note was paid by plaintiff on March 30, 1897. This last date was doubtless erroneously stated in the pleading, since the note Avas paid before, and not subsequent to, the commencement of the suit. The alio Avance of the amount of this premium note was proper. The mortgage stipulated that the mortgagor should keep the buildings on the mortgaged premises insured for the benefit of the mortgagee, and as the failure to pay the premium note Avas ground for cancellation of the policy, plaintiff had the undoubted right to pay the amount thereof to protect the insurance. Under the mortgage he could haAre taken out a new policy and the costs thereof Avould have been a lien upon the property. He paid the amount due on the note instead of taking out a new policy to perpetuate the insurance, and the amount thus paid is proper charge against the land. White v. Atlas Lumber Co., 49 Nebr., 82.
It is insisted that there is no competent evidence that plaintiff Avas the owner of the notes secured by the mortgages in suit. The notes purported to be indorsed by Mr. Stratton, the payee.' J. M. Bell testified that the signatures of Stratton on the back of the notes were genuine. IIoAvever, plaintiff had possession of the notes in question
We have examined the evidence contained in the bill of exceptions and find that the amount aAvarded plaintiff by the decree is not excessive, and fully supports the findings of the trial court. The decree is right, and is accordingly
Affirmed.