Hock v. Magerstadt

Mr. Presiding Justice Smith delivered the opinion of the court. Appellants maintain that the goods described in the chattel mortgage with the exception of the ice box, butcher’s tools and meat blocks, were not the goods taken under the replevin writ, and hence appellee was not entitled to have them returned and is not entitled to damages for their taking and detention. By permitting his .replevin suit to be dismissed for want of prosecution, appellant Hock lost all right in a suit on the bond to contest Breyer’s claim to the property, except that saved to him by the statute, which was to plead and prove his title in mitigation of damages. Stevison v. Earnest, 80 Ill., 513; Hanchett v. Gardner, 138 Ill., 571. In Keith v. Edwards, 42 Ill. App., 250, it was held that a plaintiff in a replevin suit, having dismissed the same, cannot contest the right and title of the sheriff who sues upon the replevin bond for the use of a constable who had levied upon a stock of goods, the goods not having been returned, although a retorno had been awarded, to the extent of their value to cover all the judgments and costs under the executions in the hands of the constable. That right was lost by the dismissal of the replevin suit. If the goods were worth more than the constable’s liens upon them the plaintiff might by proof of title mitigate the damages to that extent. So here, we think, Hock, by failing to prosecute his ■replevin suit, lost the right to contest the validity of Breyer’s mortgage upon the stock of groceries in question. He could only prove title in mitigation of damages. We cannot agree with appellants’ contention that the -clause in the chattel mortgage “now kept or hereafter to be kept in the store room of the building,” etc., refers only to the words immediately preceding, to wit, “all meats.” In our opinion it refers to the stock of groceries as well. The mortgage was given upon a stock of goods from which sales were being made and to which additions were anticipated in the usual course of business. As between the parties it was intended to and did cover all goods that the mortgagor Hock should thereafter purchase and place in stock this store. When possession was taken under the provisions of this mortgage, no rights of third persons having intervened, Breyer held the property under a valid lien by operation of the provisions of the mortgage. Borden v. Croak, 131 Ill., 68; McCaffrey v. Woodin, 65 N. Y., 459; Jones on Chattel Mortgages, Sec. 138, and the authorities there cited; Tennis v. Midkiff, 55 Ill. App., 642. Cases cited by appellants where the rights of third parties are involved are not applicable here. As against third persons who had acquired liens this mortgage would be strictly construed to protect the rights of such persons, but as between the parties to the instrument nothing more is required than a reasonable degree of certainty as to what property is intended to be covered by it. Considering the language used and the general scope of the contract the intent of the parties was, we think, to create a lien upon the stock of merchandise then and thereafter to be kept in the store room specified, as well as upon the tools and fixtures used in connection with the business. Appellee Breyer was therefore entitled to a return of the entire stock of goods as well as the tools, ice box, scales and meat blocks, upon the dismissal of the replevin suit. It is objected that there was no evidence before the court of-the value of the property wrongfully taken under the replevin writ, and therefore no damages are shown. The testimony of Cranson and Ward must be regarded as sufficient to show the value of the property. It is not necessary to resort to experts to show the values of property of the character involved here. While the evidence of these men is not of the most satisfactory character, we cannot for that reason set aside the finding of the trial judge. It was undoubtedly within the power and the discretion of the. court to permit the case to be reopened to produce further evidence at any time before the finding of the court had been entered. We find no abuse of that discretion in the action of the court in this case. Appellants’ rights were in no way prejudiced. I. D. & W. Ry. Co. v. Hendrian, 190 Ill., 501. Finding no error in the record the judgment is affirmed. Affirmed.