Maxwell v. Horton

The opinion of the Court was delivered by Mr. Chirr Justicr Gary. This is an appeal from an order granting the plaintiff leave to issue an execution against the person of the judgment debtor, after the return of an execution against his property unsatisfied. On the 20th of April, 1916, the Circuit Court rendered judgment as follows: “It appears that James Maxwell entered into a contract with the defendant, whereby he was to work for the defendant for wages until ‘lay-by time,’ and his wife, Elizabeth Maxwell, had a contract to work a hoe crop on defendant’s place, whereby she was to receive one-third of the crop, and the defendant two-thirds, Elizabeth Maxwell was to pay for one-third of the guano, and the defendant two-thirds. This action was brought for the division of the hoe crop. I find that one-third of the hoe crop, after deducting one-third of the guano, belonged to Elizabeth Maxwell, and was not subject to her husband’s debts, it being her individual earnings. I find that so much of the master’s report that finds the amount of cotton made, and the price received therefor amounting to $195.50, is correct and is hereby affirmed I also find the amount of seed sold and the price received therefor, amounting to $52.85, as found by the master, is correct and is hereby affirmed. The $4 allowed for labor and the 50 cents for flour are proper charges, and I so allow. It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the plaintiff, Elizabeth Maxwell, have judgment against the defendant, William A. Horton, for $66.25, and the defendant pay all the cost of this action.” On the 6th of September, 1916, the plaintiff made an affidavit which contains these allegations: “That while the action between the plaintiff and defendant was pending in the Court of Common Pleas, and before it was terminated, the defendant sold the entire crop made by this deponent, consisting of four bales of cotton and the *382 seed therefrom, and has failed and refused to pay this deponent any portion of the same. “That the defendant has refused to deliver this deponent her part of the crop, or the proceeds therefrom, and fraudulently detains the same for the purpose of defrauding this plaintiff and cheat and deprive the plaintiff, Elizabeth Maxwell, of her property. “Wherefore, this deponent asks for an order of arrest in this action, and execution against the person of this defendant, as provided in .sections 230 and 347 of the Code of Civil Procedure 1912.” A rule was issued against the defendant, requiring him to show cause why the plaintiff should not have leave to issue execution against his person “for fraudulently taking or detaining or disposing of plaintiff’s one-third of all crops raised upon the hoe crop plaintiff worked with defendant during the year 1915.” After hearing the defendant’s return to the rule, his Honor, the Circuit Judge, made an order co(mmanding the sheriff to arrest the defendant, Wm. A. Horton, and commit him to the .jail of the county until he paid said judgment, or was discharged according to law. The appellant’s attorney, in his argument, states that the exceptions raise two questions, the first of which is as follows: “The judgment being a money judgment and not for the delivery of any specific property, had the Court the power to make an order committing defendant to jail?” Not only does the judgment rendered on the 20th of April, 1916, show upon its face that it was not an ordinary money judgment, but the language used in the order of arrest shows, that such is not its proper construction. The following appears in said order: “Whereas, judgment was rendered on the 10th day of May, 1916, in the Court of Common Pleas of Spartanburg county, S. C., in an action between James Maxwell, Elizabeth Maxwell and against Wm. A. Horton, defendant, in *383 favor of Elizabeth Maxwell and against the defendant, Win. A. Horton, for one-third of the crop as set- forth in the decree of the Court as above set forth or mentioned of the date of May 10th, the amount of the judgment as found being sixty-six and 25-100 dollars. * * * (Italics added.) It will thus be seen that the amount of the judgment represented her proportion of the crop, to wit, one-third thereof. The second question raised by the exceptions is as follows: 1 “Did the Court err in holding that such attachment issue, when it was manifest from the record that the defendant was not such a person as was enumerated in section 230 of the Code?” Section 230 of the Code provides that the defendant may be arrested in the following cases: “In an action for money received, or property embezzled or fraudulently misapplied, by a public officer, or by an attorney, solicitor, or counsellor, or by an officer or agent of a corporation or banking association, in the course of his • employment as such, or by any factor, agent, broker, or other person in a fiduciary capacity, or for any misconduct or neglect in office, or in a professional employment. In an action to recover the possession of personal property fraudulently detained, or where the property, or any part thereof, has been fraudulently concealed, removed, or disposed of, so that it cannot be found or taken by the sheriff or -constable and with intent that it should not be so found or taken, or with intent to deprive the plaintiff of the benefit thereof. When the defendant has been guilty of a fraud in contracting the debt, or incurring the obligation for which the action is brought, or in concealing or disposing of the property for the taking, detention, or conversion of which the action is brought, or when the action is brought to recover damages for fraud or deceit. When the defendant has removed or disposed of his property, or is about to do so, with intent to defraud his creditors.” *384 2 It is only necessary to cite the case of Mercantile Co. v. Britt, 102 S. C. 499, 87 S. E. 143, to show that the defendant was acting in a fiduciary capacity, when he destroyed the rights of the defendant in the crop, which were of an equitable nature. Appeal dismissed.