Johnson v. Breedlove

Worden, J. — This action was brought by Thomas E.. Johnson against Thomas J. Breedlove, administrator of the-estate of Benjamin F. Johnson, deceased, Jesse B. Johnson,. James M. Bradshaw and William H. Henschen. "The facts alleged in the complaint are, in substance, that,, on July 3d, 1873, Benjamin F. Johnson, then in life, and Jessé B. Johnson made their promissory note, payable to the order of William H. Henschen, at a named bank at Indianapolis, sixty days from date, for the sum of $300. This-note was endorsed by the payee, Henschen, followed by the appellants Thomas E. Johnson and James M. Bradshaw. When the note became due, neither the makers nor the; [369] other endorsers paid the same, or any part of it. Thereupon the plaintiff paid $100 of the principal of the note and the interest due ; and for the residue thereof, and in renewal of said note to the amount of $200, said Jesse B. Johnson executed a like note for $200, which was endorsed in like manner as the first. When the note thus given in renewal became due, neither the maker nor other endorsers paying the same, the plaintiff paid $100 upon it and the interest due, and, in renewal of the residue, said Jesse B. Johnson executed another like note for the sum of $100, which was endorsed in like manner as the two others. When the last mentioned note became due, neither the 'maker nor other endorsers paying the same, the plaintiff paid it in full and took it up. Neither the maker nor endorsers have paid the plaintiff. anything on account of the notes, though the amount is due and unpaid. Copies of the notes and endorsements are set out. To this complaint Jesse B. Johnson answered, first, by general denial, and, second, as follows: “That, prior to the commencement of this action he fully paid and satisfied the note herein sued on.” A demurrer to the second paragraph, above set out, for want of sufficient facts, was overruled and exception taken. Jesse B. Johnson afterward filed a third paragraph of answer, as follows : “The defendant Jesse B. Johnson, for a third paragraph of answer, says that all the notes mentioned in the plaintiff’s complaint were executed for the sole benefit, of Benjamin F. Johnson, who was a maker thereon; that this-, defendant signed said note solely as a surety for said Ben-, jamin F. Johnson, and in no other way whatever, as the plain-, tiff well knew at the time. And this defendant says that-plaintiff has been fully paid and satisfied for the amounts he. has paid on said notes by moneys he has received from the-estate of said Benjamin F. Johnson, rents from a mill; [370] belonging to said estate, and other sources; that there is nothing due plaintiff at all for the moneys so paid, as alleged •by him, he having been fully paid, as aforesaid.” A demurrer for want of sufficient facts to this paragraph •of answer was overruled, and exception taken. Issues were .joined and the cause submitted to the court for trial, resulting in a finding and judgment for the defendants. Judgment at special term affirmed on appeal to general term. Error Was assigned at general term, among other things, on the rulings upon the demurrers to the second and third paragraphs Of the answer of Jesse B. Johnson, and the proper assignment of error is made here. The second paragraph of answer was bad, and the demurrer to it should have been sustained. The complaint set out three notes executed by the defendant pleading, indorsed by the plaintiff, on which the latter had paid money as such ■endorser. The paragraph of answer alleged that the defendant had paid one of them, but which of them is not specified. The paragraph is open to the objection that it is pleaded in bar of the whole action ; whereas it sets up matter that at most can bar a part only. It is also uncertain which note the defendant paid. Perhaps the latter objection should have been reached by a motion. But the objection that the paragraph, being pleaded to the whole complaint, sets up matter that can bar a part only, is fatal on demurrer. This point has been decided so often that no reference need be made to authorities. The third pai-agraph of answer is also bad, and the demurrer to it should have been sustained. It is not a good answer of payment, although it alleges that “tlfe plaintiff has been fully paid,” etc., “by moneys he has received from the estate of said Benjamin F. Johnson, rents from a mill belonging to said estate, and other sources.” The statement that the plaintiff has been paid must be taken as qualified by the manner in which the payment is [371] alleged to have been made; and if the supposed payment, in the manner alleged, does not amount to a payment, then there is no valid allegation of payment. If the money which the plaintiff received from the estate ■of Benjamin E. Johnson was not received under circumstances that would render him liable to the estate for it, a matter that does not appear by the answer, then there could be no -pretence that the receipt of it could operate as payment of the claim sued on. If, on the other hand, the money received by the plaintiff was received under circumstances that would render him liable to the estate for it, then he became indebted to the estate for the amount. But, in order to make the indebtedness of the plaintiff to the estate operate as a payment of the money sued for in this action, it must have been so agreed and understood between the plaintiff and the administrator of the estate of the deceased, so as to discharge the plaintiff from his indebtedness to the estate pro tanto, for the money thus received by him. There is nothing in the answer to show that there was any agreement to apply the supposed indebtedness of the plaintiff to the estate to the payment of the claim sued for, or that the plaintiff has been discharged from his'assumed indebtedness to the estate. Nor - do we think the paragraph can be upheld as an answer of set-off. It has none of the elements of a set-off, and is not pleaded as such. It is pleaded as payment and satisfaction, and nothing else. It is accompanied by no bill of particulars, nor does it allege any matter against the plaintiff, “arising out of a debt, duty or contract;” for, as before observed, it does not show the circumstances under which, ©r the purposes for which, the plaintiff received the money from the estate, nor is it alleged that the plaintiff is indebted to the estate for it. The judgment below at general term is reversed, with [372] costs, and the cause remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.