Bender v. Kingman & Co.

Pound, C. This is an action of replevin involving possession of a [470] stock of agricultural implements taken by defendants under attachments against Weiser Bros, and claimed by plaintiff as their vendee. The facts with respect to the transfer from Weiser Bros, to Bender are sufficiently set forth in the opinion in Kingman & Co. v. Weiser Bros., 48 Nebr., 834. The trial court directed a verdict for the defendants, and such action and the receiving of testimony as to certain admissions made by Weiser Bros, are assigned as error. Under section 20, chapter 32, Compiled Statutes, it is undoubtedly true that the intent of the vendor in an alleged fraudulent conveyance is always a question of fact. That is, certain circumstances appearing, it does not follow, as a matter of law, that there was fraudulent intent, but an actual intention to hinder, delay or defraud must have had a substantive existence in the mind of the vendor; and if there was no such intent, the law will not make one from his acts. But this question of fact differs in nowise from any other so far as the relative functions of the court and of the jury are concerned.' Where, upon any issue of fact, the uncontradicted evidence is such that all reasonable men must reach the same conclusion, there is no need of submitting the issue to a jury and a verdict may be directed. Elliott v. Carter White Lead Co., 53 Nebr., 458. The evidence as to the intent of Weiser Bros, in making the sale was the same as that set forth in Kingman & Co. v. Weiser Bros., supra, and could leave no doubt in the mind of any one that they intended to hinder and delay their creditors and sold the property for that purpose. It was no less clear from the plaintiff’s own testimony and that of his witnesses that he had ample notice thereof before he parted with the consideration. He took possession before the attachments were levied. But an inventory was necessary to determine the exact amount to be paid, and whether he was to give notes to Weiser Bros, or they to pay him depended on whether the stock should prove to exceed or should fall below the value of a certain interest in lands to be conveyed by the plaintiff in payment or part [471] payment as the case might be. A bill of sale and a conveyance of the real property were drawn and were deposited in a bank pending the inventory, to be delivered “to the parties entitled thereto” on its completion. Before it Avas completed, notice of the intent of Weiser Bros, and of their financial condition was brought home to the plaintiff in more than one way, as the evidence conclusively establishes. He could and should have stopped then and there and rescinded, Avhen these facts came to his knowledge. Until he had finally parted Avith the consideration, he could not claim to be an innocent purchaser. Hedrick v. Strauss, 42 Nebr., 485. With respect to the evidence of admissions on the part of Weiser Bros, as to their purpose in making the sale, the case is no less clear. While these statements were made after plaintiff had taken possession, they Avere made in his presence, pending the inventory, and before the papers were exchanged. They were evidently received not to shoAV the intent of the vendors, but to shoAV that the vendee had knowledge of it. Coming before he parted Avith the consideration, they were clearly admissible for that purpose, and, under repeated rulings of this court, Avere sufficient to establish such notice. Karll v. Kuhn, 38 Nebr., 539; Temple v. Smith, 13 Nebr., 514. We recommend that the judgment be affirmed. Sedgwick and Oldham, CC., concur.. By the Court: For the reasons stated in the foregoing-opinion the judgment of the district court is Affirmed.