62 Minn. 3 | Minn. | 1895
In an action upon a promissory nóte alleged to have been executed by defendant, payable to the order of a third party, the only allegation of the complaint as to plaintiff’s title was that he “is now the owner and holder of said note.” We are of opinion that the complaint was demurrable; that, having shown the ownership of the note in a third party, he should have alleged an indorsement or assignment of it to himself by the payee.
We have frequently held that, where a party does not attempt to set up the source of his title to chattel or real property, a general' allegation of ownership is sufficient, and will be deemed an allegation of an ultimate fact, and not of a mere conclusion of law. But we have never held that, if he alleged title to have been in a third party, it would be sufficient to then allege that he was now the owner, without alleging a transfer from such party to himself. But that is just this case. In describing the note sued on, plaintiff necessarily showed title in the payee, but fails in any way to connect himself with that title by any allegation of indorsement, assignment, or delivery. If the note had been payable to bearer, or if it had been alleged that the payee had indorsed it in blank, so that it would have been transferable by mere delivery, perhaps the complaint would have been helped out by the allegation that plaintiff was the “holder”; but, in the absence of either of these facts, no aid is derived from
This case, however, is one which never ought to have occupied the time or attention of this court. The loose pleading of the plaintiff gave defendant an opportunity to demur; but, while the demurrer was technically well taken, it seems to us that it was wholly unnecessary for the protection of any of defendant’s substantial rights. Therefore we will not allow either party any statutory costs.
Order reversed.