Scandinavian American Bank v. Appleton

Crow, J. Action by the Scandinavian American Bank against John F. Appleton, on two promissory notes. From a judgment against it, the plaintiff has appealed. The notes of the respondent, for $1,000 each, dated January 23, 1909, due in four and five months, were executed and delivered to the Electric Transportation Company, in payment of a stock subscription. On May 7, 1909, they were assigned to appellant as collateral security for the $5,000 note of the transportation company. The transaction in which these notes were thus assigned is the one mentioned in our opinion in Scandinavian American Bank v. Johnston, ante p. 187, 115 Pac. 102. That opinion fully discloses the facts. About the only difference between respondent’s position and that of Johnston is that respondent’s notes, pledged as collateral, were executed in the preceding January. This cause having been tried without a jury, is now before us for trial de novo. Without repeating the facts which appear in the Johnston case, we will simply state that, upon the evidence now before us, substantially the same as in the Johnston case, we cannot approve the finding of the trial judge that the appellant bank was not a bona fide holder of respondent’s notes for value in due course. Respondent, in this action, contends, that the principal $5,000 note was collectible; that his collateral notes were [205] fraudulently obtained; and that the bank should be compelled to first proceed against the principal note. In support of this position, respondent cites, Prentice § Weissinger v. Zane, 2 Gratt. (Va.) 262; Hulett v. Marine Sav. Bank, 143 Mich. 219, 106 N. W. 879, 4 L. R. A. (N. S.) 1042, and Citizens' Bank v. Bank of Waddy, 126 Ky. 169, 103 S. W. 249, 128 Am. St. 282, 11 L. R. A. (N. S.) 589. The evidence in this action discloses the fact that the endorsers on the principal note, shown to be financially responsible, had subscribed and paid for their stock in the transportation company, and that the appellant, Appleton, to the extent of $2,000, and Johnston to the extent of $3,000, had not paid their stock subscription except by giving their notes. If they could now be released from liability thereon, they would be relieved from paying for their stock, and the endorsing stockholders, who have already paid their subscriptions in full would, in addition thereto, have to pay the principal note. Whether this circumstance had any controlling influence over the bank in making its election to first proceed on the collateral notes does not appear. The evidence does show that the only responsible parties on the principal note are the endorsing-stockholders, and not the transportation company, which, as maker, is primarily liable. None of the cases cited by respondent sustains his contention that the bank should be required to first proceed against the endorsers. Prentice Weissinger v. Zone, supra, in no-respect touches the question. In Hulett v. Marine Sav. Bank, supra, there was sufficient evidence to sustain a finding that the endorsee, who held the defendant’s note as collateral, was not a holder in good faith. The maker of the principal note was also shown and conceded to be financially responsible and able to pay. The maker of the principal note in this case is now in the hands of a receiver and not shown to be solvent, In Citizens’ Bank v. Bank of Waddy, supra, one Paxton had delivered to the Bank of Waddy his renewal note, without at the time obtaining a surrender of his orig [206] inal note, which had. theretofore been assigned as collateral . security. Instead of procuring and returning his original note, the cashier of the. Bank of Waddy fraudulently assigned the renewal note to another bank as collateral. It was held that, if necessary to the collection of the principal indebtedness, for which his two notes had been assigned as collateral, the maker, Paxton, would be obliged to pay his original and also his renewal note, although given for but one debt. But it was further held that, for Paxton’s protection, the endorsees would first be required to look to their other collateral, and.that, if their principal notes could be thus satisfied, one of Paxton’s notes should be surrendered to him. There was no question as to the liability of the makers of any of the other notes which constituted the remaining collateral. No such circumstances appear in this action. The only principal obligation, to which the rule for which appellant contends could be applied, if applied at all, is the debt of the transportation company. It could not be applied to the endorsers. Respondent’s notes were properly endorsed by the transportation company, and before their maturity delivered to appellant, who then became a holder in good faith for value and in due course. Reversed and remanded, with instructions to enter judgment in favor of the appellant. Chadwick and Moréis, JJ., concur. Dunbar, C. J., dissents.