275 Mo. 227 | Mo. | 1918
This action was commenced in the probate court of Jackson County, Missouri, on January 8, 1914, in the following form:
“Estate of George Townsend, deceased, to Cornelia Townsend, debtor,
.“To one hundred shares of the Central States Bridge Company, par value one hundred dollars ..................................... $10,000
“To thirty-two bonds, Citizens Street Railway Company, Indianapolis, par value one thousand dollars ............................ 32,000
“To eight water bonds, City of Indianapolis, Indiana, par value one thousand, dollars . 8,000
“Total .................................$50,000”
Before the case was finally submitted to the jury, plaintiff reduced her demand for the par value of the thirty-two Citizens Street Railway Company bonds, of Indianapolis, Indiana, from $32,000 to twelve of -said bonds of the alleged value of $12,000. She also withdrew from the consideration of the jury, as shown by her instruction “D,” that part of her claim relating to the one hundred shares of the Central States Bridge Company, of the alleged value of $10,000.
Prom the judgment of the probate court in favor of defendant, plaintiff appealed to the circuit court, where the case was tried de novo, at the November Term, 1914, before a jury. The trial began on January
There was substantial evidence offered upon the part of plaintiff tending to show that George Townsend, who was a brother of plaintiff, on or about the 25th day of October, 1907, had met with success as a railroad builder, and had accumulated at that time valuable bonds and notes of the face value of $250,000; that he and plaintiff were twin sister and brother, and that for many years» they made their home with their sister, Mrs. Anna Townsend Davis; that plaintiff and her brother George were dear to each other, and traveled a great deal together.
Plaintiff introduced in evidence her Exhibit 6, shown to have been in the handwriting of George Townsend, which reads as follows:
“Indianapolis, Oct. 25, ’07.
“My dear Sisters:
“I have this day paid off my loan at the Fletcher Bank and am not now honestly in debt to anyone in the world and I am entirely out of business. I have now in my safe deposit box at Fletchers, 150 Indpls Water, Citizens Ry and other bonds paying me 5% interest, besides 100 New Orleans Ter. Notes in the 1st Natl Bank of N. Y. and other investments, and so I have decided to carry out my long promised intention made so often to you and Nellie of adding to the bonds you already have so that you will both be provided for should bad luck come to me or in case of my marriage and so I will.today take with me or send to you in Chicago, as a present sixty (60) of the Water and Citizens bonds, Forty (40) of which will be for Nellie and twenty (20) for Anna, because Nellie is more dependent on me than you are. You must take good care of these bonds and do not change the investment into other bonds or stock without first advising with me. These bonds all pay 5% per annum; the water bonds sell around par and the Citizens sell a few points higher but I consider them equally safe as an investment. You can divide the two binds as you see fit so that Nellie gets a total of 40 and you get the 20. I take pleasure in doing this as it will still leave me a sufficient income.
“Love to you both,
Brother George.
*235 “This is a list of the numbers of the bonds I am giving you so in case anything happens in transit payment might be stopped. The 40 Water bonds numbers 76, 77, 196, 311, 312, 352, 1413, 1885, 1942 to 46, 1975 to 79, 2011, 2013, 2013, 2094, 2096, 2097, 2107 to 11, 2134. 2135, 2144, 2145, 2148 to 53 and '2202. The 20 Citizens bonds are numbered 6, 24, 25, 26, 27, 133, 134, 142 to 145, 284, 290, 393 to • 397, 402 and 403,
Georoe.
“Since writing the above I find it is too late to express these bonds and catch my train so I will leave them here at Fletchers and put a slip in the pkg of 40 water bonds as being the private property of Nellie and a slip in the pkge of 20 Citizens bonds as being the property of Anna and I will either continue to hold them here for you or send them to you at a later date.
Yours,
George.”
A book was identified by Mrs. Davis, as a diary of George Townsend, and in his handwriting, under dates of October 24-5-6. It was introduced in evidence, and read as follows:
“(October 24th.)
“Arrived in Indianapolis at 3:05 p. m.
“Took dinner with Mrs, Schaden.
“Took room at Columbia Club.
“(October 25th.)
“Paid Fletcher my last loan and put 35 Water, 15 Citizens 30 N. W. & 10 U. T. bonds in my deposit box. Took 40 Water & 20 Citizens as a present to my Sisters in Chicago. Arrived home at 8:00 p. m.
“(October 26th.)
"Gave Sister Nellie 40 Water bonds and to Sister Anna 20 Citizens. Had hair cut in the p. m. Played cribbage at home in the evening with the folks.”
Mrs. Davis identified “Exhibit 8” as in the handwriting of her brother George, and says she received it through the mail. It was offered in evidence and reads as follows:
“Grand Hotel,
Indianapolis,
January 3rd, 1910
“My dear Sisters:
“It is with a feeling of great relief that I am sending back to you today by Am. Express thirty-two of the $1,000 bonds of the Citizens 5.s Street Ry. being a part of the 60 bonds that I took from those belonging to you in the safety deposit box in Chicago.
“I will send you 18 more bonds tomorrow and the remaining 10 bonds shortly.
*236 “I want Nellie to receive back these 32 bonds and Anna can take her 20 out of the remainder I am to send.
“I trust you will forgive me for having taken the 60 bonds away from you against your protest. Please put these 32 bonds in a box in your own names.
With love,
George.”
Mrs. Davis testified that the 32 bonds referred to in above letter were delivered to herself and plaintiff; that she handed them to George Townsend and they were pnt in the box. This occurred some time in December, 1909, or early in January, 1910; that these 32 bonds, in September, 1911, were sent by her to defendant for George Townsend; that this was the last time she ever saw them; that she could not give the exact date when she received Exhibit 6, supra, nor whether she had it in her possession before the death of her brother George; that she found it in the desk at home with other papers within the last year. Witness said her brother George felt grieved over plaintiff’s health, and gave her seventeen bonds for her immediate -wants, and said he would add'three more to them, and that he would have that amount taken from the will; that plaintiff still has the seventeen bonds.
■ On cross-examination, Mrs. Davis testified that her brother George was a railroad builder, and had built many railroads; that he was a careful and successful business man; that he engaged in building railroads in Indianapolis, Michigan and the Holy Land; that he also built part of the Canadian Pacific road; that the first time she recalls having seen Exhibit 6 was in May, 1910; that it was then in her husband’s desk in her room; that her brother George was very ill in January and Febuary, 1910, and went to a sanitarium; that he had a nervous breakdown; that plaintiff never had any bonds prior to October 25, 1907.
Mrs. Davis testified in chief that in October, 1907, her brother George came to her house, and in the presence of plaintiff said he had brought to Cornelia
Ward S. Arnold, former partner of George S. Towsend, met the latter in Chicago in March, 1908. He testified that George then told him that “he had given his sisters a considerable amount of bonds, and that to raise the amount of money that would be required he would have to borrow these bonds back.” He said, George then told him that “he had given Cornelia a considerable sum, more than his sister, Mrs. Davis, due to the fact that she was single and had no one to help look after her, like her other sister, Mrs. Davis.” etc.
Wm. B. Totonsend testified that in September, 1908, his brother George told him that “he had presented his sisters with enough bonds to keep them comfortably until the end of their lives.” He said he was then in condition to do so. On cross-examination, witness said George told him in 1909 he had provided for his brothers and sisters in his will and that he was worth $250,000 to $300,000. He said that George talked
Edward Waterman Townsend testified that near the end of the year 1907 his brother George talked with him about Cornelia; that he then said, he had provided by gift, a provision which would provide means of a living for his. sister.
The testimony of Mrs. Davis tends to show that George Townsend borrowed from her sister, Cornelia, the 40 bonds of plaintiff and took them with him. Witness said she never saw the bonds after that, but she got the 32' Citizens Street Railway bonds from the bank; that they were sent by express from her brother George, for Cornelia. These are probably the bonds referred to in Exhibit 8, heretofore quoted. Mrs. Davis said her sister Cornelia protested against her brother George going into business again, on account of his health, but told him “the bonds are here safe and we are perfectly willing to lend them to you, but we merely protest on account of your health,” and he said he would take them with him.
We have simply set out enough of ‘the testimony to show that plaintiff’s demand is sustained by substantial evidence relating to the main issues before us. Some of the foregoing facts are controverted by testimony elicited on behalf of appellant.
The instructions given and refused, and such other matters as may be deemed important, will be 'considered in the opinion.
On January 12, 1915, nine of the jurors returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff, for $20,000, and judgment was entered in due form thereon. Motions for new trial and in arrest of judgment were filed, overruled, and the cause duly appealed by defendant to this court.
The trial court was within the law in overruling the above demurrer.
II. The trial court is charged with error in permitting Mrs. A. T. Davis to testify as a witness in behalf of plaintiff. It is conceded that she has a similar suit against the same defendant now pending in Division Two of this court.
Let us assume for the sake of the argument that decedent, in the same transactions, intended to give and did give 40 of the Water bonds to plaintiff and the
The question under consideration recently came before Division Two of this court in Snider v. McAtee, 178 S. W. 484. It appears from the opinion that Mr. Sperling was offered as a witness in behalf of plaintiff. Defendant objected to his testifying in the cause, on ground that he, Mr. Snider, and Mr. Schwab, were all parties .to the same contract with Mr. .Quinn, and that, as Quinn was dead, Sperling was' incompetent to testify by reason of the provisions of Section 6354, Revised Statutes 1909. Judge Williams wrote the opinion, while a Commissioner, in which all the members of said Division concurred. On page 488, he said:
“We have reached the conclusion that the witness was not’ a party to the contract or cause of action in issue and on trial in this case. The evidence shows that all of the three purchasers were present in the bank at the time Quinn sold the 65 shares of stock. But it appears, we think, clearly, from the evidence, that, before the sale was made, each purchaser, for himself, decided upon the number of shares he would purchase. The transfer of the stock was made separately to each individual purchaser, and each purchaser respectively paid Quinn for the shares so purchased.”
It was held that Sperling was a competent witness, under the circumstances aforesaid. ,
In the ease at. bar, it appears from the diary kept by George Townsend, under date of October 26, that he “gave Sister Nellie 40 Water bonds and to Sister Anna 20 Citizens.” While he usually addressed his
The question under consideration is similar in principle to that involved in the Snider ease, supra. The rule as announced in the -latter meets with our approval. There is nothing contained in Section 6354, Eevised Statutes 1909, which would warrant us in excluding Mrs. Davis as a witness in this cause, on the record before us.
III. It is contended by appellant that:
“There was no proof of a gift from George Townsend to the plaintiff of the 40 Water bonds and therefore the court should have directed a verdict for defendant.”
“I trust you will forgive me for having taken the 60 bonds away from you against your protest.”
Where the facts are known and unquestioned, and where but one conclusion can be drawn therefrom, the court may, as a matter of law, on the evidence adduced, declare that no delivery has taken place. The law, however, as applied to facts like those before us, is forcefully stated in 12 Ruling Case Law, sec. 46, pages 974-5, as follows:
“The question as to what constitutes a gift is a question of law, and on facts in a particular case it involves a mixed question of law and fact. On the testimony it is the province of tbe jury to determine whether there was a clear intention to make a gift, and whether that intention was1 carried into effect by such a delivery ás would make a completed gift. This is so as to a gift causa mortis as well as to one inter vivos.”
The rule above announced is substantially in accord with the views of this court as heretofore expressed. [Harvey v. Long, 260 Mo. 1. c. 386, and cases cited; Schooler v. Schooler, 258 Mo. 1. c. 91-2; Miles v. Robertson, 258 Mo. 1. c. 724, and. following; Burke v. Adams, 80 Mo. 1. c. 511; 8 Ruling Case Law, sec. 50, page 980.]
In the Burke case supra, Judge Philips, while a Commissioner of this court, on page 511, very clearly stated the law as applied to the facts of this case, as follows:
“What constitutes a delivery of. a deed is often a mixed question of law and fact. An arbitrary rule ought not to be laid down. Each case must stand more or less on its peculiar facts. The intent to convey is evidenced by the act of making out and duly executing and acknowledging a deed. The delivery may be evidenced by any act of the grantor by which the control, or dominion, or use of the deed is made available to the grantee. It is not necessary that it should be handed
In the case at bar, there is abundant evidence of an intention upon the part of George Townsend to deliver the 40 Water bonds to plaintiff. The testimony shows: He had withdrawn these bonds from the bank to deliver to her; that he formally declared he had brought them to her; that he exercised proper care in not leaving such a large amount of securities in her hands, but took them to the custodian of the vault for her; that she got them from the vault within a week afterwards, and they remained there until her brother borrowed them from her, and never returned the same. He recognized, in writing, her ownership of the bonds, and replaced 32 of the 40, with Railroad bonds. On this state of facts, the jury were warranted in finding that the 40 Water bonds were given to plaintiff, and in contemplation of law, were delivered to her.
(a) In 12 Ruling Case Law, sec. 45, pages 973-4, it is written:
“Declarations of the donor, especially if repeatedly made, are sufficient on which to establish a title by gift, and declarations of a donor that he had delivered a gift are sufficient evidence of its delivery, particularly where he had previously expressed his intention to give, and was under a moral obligation to make the gift.”
(b) We have carefully considered the law relating to the question of delivery, as shown by the authorities cited in Wren v. Sturgeon, 184 S. W. 1. c. 1038-9, where we held that no delivery was shown by the evidence. Without considering the question further, we are of the opinion that the trial court committed no error in overruling appellant’s demurrer to the testimony, in respect to above matter.
In O’Day v. Annex Realty Co., 191 S. W. 1. c. 46, in considering this question, we said:
“Aside, however, from the foregoing potent objection to a single page of this diary being considered as competent evidence we find that the contents of same does not purport to be an' admission contrary to the interests of defendants and M. B. O’Reilly. On the contrary, this diary was offered for the express purpose of overturning 'the constructive trust sought to be established by plaintiff- on May 26, 1898, when the quitclaim deed was delivered. It was also offered to show that an entirely different agreement had been made from that claimed by plaintiff, and which was more favorable in its terms to O’Relliy and the defendants. The cases relied upon by respondents hold that the' admission of a .party, against his interest when made, may, under certain circumstances, be given in evidence, but they have no application to the' facts of this case, for the reasons aforesaid. On the contrary, the page of diary offered in evidence must be classed as a self-serving declaration of M. B. O’Reilly ' and inadmissible for any purpose. [Laclede Land & Improvement Co. v. Goodno, 181
In 12 Ruling Case Law, sec. 43, page 971, the rule of law in respect to this matter, is stated as follows:
“The declarations or admissions of a donor as to the fact of delivery and as to his intention are admissible to support an alleged gift, but not to impeach his gift.”
The above contention is clearly without merit and is overruled.
The above contention is b'ased upon the testimony of William R. Townsend, who testified, in substance, that in September, 1907, George Townsend, in a conversation with his secretary, said if he collected ,a certain sum of money from Wyandotte County he would go to Indianapolis, take up thirty-two bonds, purchase eighteen more, and give them to his sister. This testimony was stricken out, and the witness corrected his evidence by stating the following:
“A. I certainly knew they were borrowed bonds.
“The Court: You say you knew? A. He said he wished to return the bonds he had borrowed from his sisters. I think the total was more than that. . . .
“He was very glad that he was able to return to his sisters fifty of the bonds that he had borrowed from them. ’ ’
The defendant testified that she did not think William R. Townsend heard the conversation; and that the above conversation, testified to by William R. Town
The question propounded reads as follows: “Q. State to the jury what he [Townsend] did. A. At the time he asked me for the letterhead, he asked me to get the diary in an old suitcase and he turned back to see when he was in Indianapolis and wrote the letter to correspond. with the date.”
Counsel for plaintiff objected to that portion of the above answer, as to why he turned back to the diary, as being a conclusion of the wdtness. The objection Avas sustained, and properly so. She then testified fully as to what she saw him do Avith the' diary.
VIII. Appellant contends, that the “court erred in giving instructions ¡A’ and ‘B’ of its own motion.”
These instruction read as follows:
“B. The court instructs the jury, if you believe from all the evidence that George Townsend made a gift as defined in other instructions herein, of forty Water bonds to his sister Cornelia in 1907, and thereafter on or about the month of March, 1908, borrowed, said bonds from said sister, and that he sold said bonds and returned to her in January, 1910, thirty-two Citizens Street Railway bonds of the par value of $1000 each, instead of thirty-two of those he sold, then the plaintiff is entitled to recover from the defendant in the amount of $1000 for each of the eight bonds not so replaced.”
We are of the opinion that the above instructions properly declare the law in a cas^ of this character, and that they presented both sides of the controversy fairly to the jury. The case of Foley v. .Harrison, 233 Mo. 460, so strongly relied on by appellant, involved the question of donatio mortis causa: The court in that case was not discussing instructions, but the law as applied to that kind of an action. In considering the merits of the case, Woodson, J:, on page 582, said: “It is conceded by all the authorities, that a greater weight of evidence is required in this class of cases than is required in ordinary cases, in order to receive the sanction and approval of the courts of the country. This must be true in the very nature of the transaction,
• The foregoing contention of appellant, is not well founded and is accordingly overruled.
We are satisfied with the legal principles heretofore considered, which should govern this case. Find
PER CURIAM. — The foregoing opinion of Railey, C., is adopted as the opinion of the court.