McDonald Manufacturing Co. v. Moran

Orton, J. The answer of Moran is that he was an accommodation indorser of the two notes in suit, and sets up, substantially, — first, that the notes were never delivered by him or the maker; and secondly, that the notes were given by the principal .maker for a machine represented and warranted to answer [204] certain uses and purposes, and which proved on trial to be absolutely worthless for such uses aud purposes, and which was delivered up and received hack as being so worthless, and replaced by another like machine on the same representations and warranty, and which likewise on trial proved to be utterly worthless; that the notes were never delivered, but placed in escrow to await the trial of said machine, and not to be delivered unless said machine proved to be as represented and Warranted; that the plaintiff took said notes with notice of such warranty and its breach, and after the maturity of said notes; that the principal maker had no resources or means with which to pay the notes except by the use of said machine, and is utterly worthless and insolvent; and that it is necessary for his protection as such accommodation indorser, to have the benefit of the counterclaim growing out of the breach of said warranty and failure to perform such contract, and he can in no wise reimburse himself out of any property of the principal maker, if compelled to pay said notes; and he prays that he be subrogated to the same rights, defenses and equities that might or could be set up by said principal maker. The evidence'on the part of the plaintiff showed that the first note was taken by the plaintiff after its maturity. The principal maker of the notes was made a party, and suffered default. The circuit court sustained the objection of the plaintiff to the admission of any evidence under the answer, and directed a verdict for the plaintiff. Whether the facts stated showed a' non-delivery of the note or not, we are quite clear that the second defense brought the case almost literally, and certainly in legal effect, within the case of Hiner v. Newton, 30 Wis., 640, which makes such a defense available to the'indorser, and the evidence should have been received. . By the Gourt. — -The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial therein.