Harris v. Leeth Nat. Bank

SAMFORD, J. Simpson purchased from plaintiff in Decatur, Ala., a Dodge car, the subject-matter of this suit. The sale was on February 6th. Simpson was a resident of Cullman, where was also to be the situs of the property. A part of the purchase price was paid, and Simpson executed a retention title note on the car to secure the balánce. The car being delivered to Simpson upon the completion of the transaction on the same day, he drove the car to Cullman and borrowed from defendant $471, and to secure said loan executed and delivered to defendant a mortgage on said car. Plaintiff’s retention title note was not recorded in Cull-man county until February 8th. Under section 6898 of the Code of 1923, such contracts as are here relied on by plaintiff are, as to the conditions retaining title, void against purchasers for a valuable consideration, mortgagees, landlords with liens, and judgment creditors without notice thereof, unless such contracts are in writing and recorded in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the party so obtaining possession of the property resides, and also the county in which such property is delivered and remains. Williams v. White, 165 Ala. 336, 51 So. 559; Smith v. Davenport, 12 Ala. App. 456, 68 So. 545; Eliott v. Palmer, 9 Ala. App. 483, 64 So. 182. In Pulaski Mule Co. v. Haley & Koonce, 187 Ala. 533, 65 So. 783, Ann. Cas. 1916A, 877, and Motor Sales Co. v. McNeil, 18 Ala. App. 132, 89 So. 89, this court and the Supreme Court have drawn the distinction between the statute here considered and those statutes where a fixed time is allowed in which documents are to be filed for record. The recordation of plaintiff’s retention title contract was ineffective to give notice. It is insisted, however, that the defendant had actual notice of facts sufficient to have put it upon inquiry, but this was a question of fact to be passed upon by the court fitting without a jury and, there being conflicting testimony on this point, and the evidence not being sufficient to overturn the presumptions in favor of the findings of the trial judge, this court will not reverse his . findings. *84 The other assignments of error are without merit. We find no error in the record, and the judgment is affirmed. Affirmed.