County of Des Moines v. Hinkley & Norris

Seevers, J.- I. During the progress of the trial, and on the eighteenth day of January, 1882, an interlocutory decree was entered, in which it is stated that the court “finds that there is due from the county of Des Moines upon the contract with Hinkley & Norris $7,546.00, and no more,” and it was ordered that the county pay said sum to the clerk; and, when this was done, that the said “county of Des Moines be dismissed out of court with its costs.” The money above found due was paid to the clerk, and, as there was no exception taken by any of the parties to the interlocutory decree, the county should not be regarded as a party to this appeal, except as to a special fund, and as to it, the controversy is alone between the county and Sigler. — 640 — It is further provided by the interlocutory decree that, “all parties hereto consenting,” it is ordered “that the clerk at once pay out of said fund to the National State Bank $1,919.35, the amount of its claim.” As the bank is satisfied with the foregoing relief, it is not, therefore, a party to this appeal. II. .The rights of the respective creditors of Hinkley & Norris, other than Sigler, will be first considered. The order given by Hinkley & Norris to the bank is in these words: “ Burlington, Io., Oct. 22, 1880. “ To the Honorable Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Des Moines county, Iowa: “Please pay to the National State Bank of Burlington any and all sums of money which may be due us under our contract with Des Moines county, íowa, to build court house, issuing orders therefor payable to them for such sums of money, and the receipt of bank shall be of same force and effect as if the same were sighed by us. “HlNKLEY & Noeris.” The primary object of this order was to secure the bank for any money it should from time to time advance to Hink-ley & Norris. Under it, however, the bank drew all the money due on the contract, without reference to the fact whether Hinkley & Norris were indebted to it or not, and the money so drawn was placed to the credit of Hinkley & Norris, who from time to time drew their checks on such fund. On the third day of December, 1881, by an indorsement on the order, the bank stipulated with the county that the amount then due it was $3,500, and that such amount should not be increased. About this time it became apparent that Hinkley & Norris could not pay their various creditors who had furnished material used in constructing the court house. The bank owed them nothing, and the amount due from the county had not been agreed upon and adjusted. But, upon the supposition — 641 — that such adjustment would soon be made, and the amount due paid into the bank, Hinldey & Norris arranged with the bank to give checks on it to pay off sub-contractors “around Burlington” — the checks to be made payable when there was a settlement with the county. Checks m the following form were accordingly drawn: “Burlington, Io., January, 1881. . “National State Bank of Burlington: Pay to Murry Iron "Works one hundred sixty-five and T^. dollars. $165 Hinkley & Nobhis.” Across the face of the check there was written the following words: “To be paid as soon as we settle with the county.” All the cheeks were like the foregoing, except the date, payee and amount. They were all left with the bank for collection. The understanding between the bank and the several holders was that the checks were to be paid if the bank received any money that could be applied to that purpose; and the bank, at the request of the several holders, wrote across said checks the following words: “Accepted, payable whenever we have funds properly applicable to this check, but subject to alL prior acceptances.” The bank demanded the amount due under the contract of the county, which it refused to pay, solely on the ground, as we understand, that it was feared the county could not safely do so because of the King or Sigler claim. "We find from the evidence that the understanding between Iiinkley & Norris, the bank, and the payees of the several checks, was that the checks were drawn on and payable out of the funds due from the county on the court house contract. It was. the expectation and belief of these parties just named, at the time the checks were drawn and left in the bank for collection, that the money due from the county would be paid into the bank, and that, after the payment of the amount due the bank, the residue of the money could and would be applied to the payment of the cheeks. — 642 — The first question to be determined is whether, under the circumstances above stated, an equitable assignment of the i. evidence: paroi.toecks ’ otiimitation. fund in question, or so much thereof as was necessary to satisfy their clai ms, passed to the check holders. It is insisted that no such assignment was created, because, “when an order general in its terms is accepted by the payee and attempted to be enforced, parol evidence is not admissible to prove that it is payable out of a particular fund.” Several authorities are cited in support of this proposition, the purport of which is that a written contract cannot be controlled, contradicted, or added to, by parol. No one disputes that such is the general rule. But the proposition above stated is faulty, in that it is thereby assumed that the checks are drawn on a general fund. The checks, however, were not payable until a “settlement is made with the county.” They, therefore, were not negotiable, and the meaning of the foregoing words must be ascertained. They constituted a part of the contract, and a construction must be placed thereon. We must look at the surrounding circumstances, the acts; conduct, and what was said by the the parties, in order to ascertain what meaning they attached to the words above mentioned. Clearly, the contract should be construed as the parties understood it. There is no doubt, we think, that Hink-ley & Norris, the payees, and the bank, understood that the checks were to be paid out of the court house fund, and that the checks were drawn thereon. The checks were not made payable absolutely out of that fund, for the reason that the bank was not in possession of the money. The only possible meaning that can be attached to the W01-ds — payable “ when settlement is made with the county,” when due weight is given the acts and conduct of the parties, is that the checks were to be paid out of the court house fund. This was the only fund there was. There was no expectation that the bank would receive or have any other money which could be applied to the payment of the checks. Besides this, — 643 — it was held in Moore v. Lowrey, 25 Iowa, 336, in reference to the same question under consideration, that it was not “necessary that the intent and the contract of the parties fully appear in the writing, but they may be otherwise shown.” From this we understand that, in order to arrive at the intent of the parties and the meaning of the contract, parol proof may be resorted to. This we understand to be the universal rule — that, in the interpretation of contracts parol or verbal testimony may be resorted to in order to ascertain the nature and qualities of the subject to which the instrument refers. Greenleaf on Ev., § 286. We therefore conclude that the checks were drawn on a particular fund. III. But it is said that “an order requesting the drawee to pay out of funds which the drawee is authorized to collect 2. equitable ofparucuiar constituting, for the drawer, is not an assignment of, nor does it create any lien upon, such funds.” Authorities are cited m favor of this proposition. But we do not think the proposition thus broadly stated is applicable to the facts in the case at bar. The question, of course, is, whether the bank was a mere collecting agent, or whether, as between the county and Hinkley & Norris, it did not have the absolute control of the funds. It is true, the bank did not have the funds in its actual possession, but this was only because the county refused to pay it over because of the Ring or Sigler complication. We do not think any of these parties, other than those last named, can avail themselves of this circumstance. The order given the bank on the county was absolute in terms, and under it all the parlies had acted. If the county had paid the money, when demanded, to the bank, all liability on its part would have been at an end, as against all the parties to this action, except King of Sigler. The appealing creditors would have no right to complain. . Under the order, the bank had the absolute right to receive and collect this fund. It had a beneficial interest in so doing to the extent, — 644 — at least, of its advances. We presume it will not be claimed that tlie order did not have the effect to create an equitable assignment of the fund to the extent of the advances made by the bant. The bant, under the order, controlled the' whole fund, and had the right to receive it all as security for the advances made. But it may be said, and it is undoubtedly true, that, as between Hintley & Norris and the bant, the former had the power to control the disposition of so much of the fund as was not required to pay the advances. This they undertook to do, and, with the consent of the bant, did, when the checks were drawn on the fund. By the bant, Hinkley & Norris and the check holders, the fund should be regarded as being in the possession and control of the bank. Equity should regard that as done which the parties intended to accomplish by what they did. But, as we have said, the order in favor of the bant undoubtedly was sufficient to create an equitable assignment of the whole fund as security for advances, and, to the extent of the latter, it was clearly irrevocable, because the county and all-parties had notice of and acted under it. This is so, although the bant was not in possession of the fund, and, in one sense, was a mere collecting agent for Hintley & Norris. The checks were orders on the bank to pay the payees a portion of the fund, the whole of which as against all the world, except Hintley & Norris, it had the right and power to control. The bank, after the checks were given, was something more than a mere collecting agent for Hinkley & Norris, the drawers of the checks. In a sense it was not the agent of the drawers of the checks, but the agent of the payees to collect such fund for them. The checks amounted to an irrevocable assignment of so much of the fund as was required to pay them. That is to say, the assignment was irrevocable, unless the bank and the cheek-holders consented that it should be otherwise, It is said, Hinkley & Norris had the right to pay the check-holders with other money, and that they would then have the — 645 — power to dispose of this fund, and, because of this power, it is said, no equitable assignment was created, for the reason that the assignee must have the power of absolute and unconditional control. But suppose one of the check-holders should refuse to receive payment of his debt when tendered by Hinldey & Norris, could he be compelled to do so? We incline to think not. He certainly could transfer his interest in the fund to another, who would thereby become vested with his rights. He could do this without the consent of Hinkley & Norris, and, as we think, against their protest. There can be no other or greater power of control than this. An absolute owner can do no more. No particular form of words is required to create an equitable assignment of a fund. Any thing which evinces an intent to do so is sufficient. Moore v. Lowrey, before cited, and McWilliams v. Webb, 32 Iowa, Wily First National Bank of Canton v. D. & S. W. R. R. Co., 52 Id., 378. It is further urged that the checks were not accepted by the county or the bank. But we think notice was all that was required, and that it is immaterial whether the county had notice or not, because, as between these parties, the bank was the equitable custodian of the fund, and, as such, did accept and bind itself to pay the checks in the order of presentation out of and to the extent of the fund. ' It is, perhaps, incidentally claimed, but not, we think, strenuously insisted by counsel, that there cannot be an equitable 3.-; of iuna1? how win of eusto-dian. assignment of a part of a fund under any and all circumstances. It may be that the custodian of the fund would not be bound to accept an order drawn on him for a part of such fund. But we think such an assignment should and would be upheld in equity. Upon principle, it seems to us this must be so, and we think the weight of authority is in favor of such proposition. We do not deem it necessary to cite or comment on — 646 — the authorities, but see Exchange Bank v. McLoon, 73 Me., 498, and the authorities there cited. In the case at bar, the bank not only had notice of the partial appropriation or assignment, but consented thereto, and promised to pay. Clearly, we think, this was sufficient. IY. Burnett & Co., on January 13, 1883, caused attachments to issue against ITinkley & Norris, and garnished the county and bank. Afterward, Hinkley & Norris assigned the fund in question to the appealing creditors, represented by Poor & Baldwin. As to a portion of the claim of Burnett & Co., the court held that they were check-holders, and that, as to another portion, they obtained no lien on the fund by reason of the attachment and garnishment proceeding. From this last ruling Burnett & Co. appeal. If in this respect the court erred, then Burnett & Co. have priority over the appealing creditors. To the cross-jietition of Burnett & Co., setting up a lien or claim under the attachment and garnishment, the county answered, „ „„„ county ex-waivCToiex-emption. claiming that under the statute it was exempt from garnishment. Code, § 2976; Jinks v. Osceola Tp., 45 Iowa, 554. It is, however, insisted that the county waived such exemption by bringing this action and making Burnett & Co. parties, and calling on them to assert any claim they had. This we regard as doubtful. The question, however, remains as to whether Burnett & Co. obtained any lien on the fund in controversy under the _f ■ tody lutnot m possession. garnishment against the bank. One thing is cer-—either the county or the bank had the cus-£0(jy an(j control of the fund. We have heretofore said that in our opinion the bank was the equitable custodian thereof, although it was not in it's actual possession. It therefore follows that any right or lien which attached to such fund should be protected in a court of equity. When' the bank was garnished, the order given the bank to receive the money from the county had not been revoked by — 647 — Ilinkley & Norris. The bank, therefore, had the right to the actual custody of the fund, and we think Burnett & Co. obtained a lien on the fund in equity by the garnishee proceeding against the bank. The conrt, we think, erred in holding that any portion of the claim of Burnett & Co. was junior to that of the appealing creditors. V. All the other defendants combine in resisting the claim of Sigler, or, at least, they claim that their right to the fund g. contract courthouse: distribution of final payment among claimants. is prior and superior to his. In order to determine this question, some additional facts must'be , stated. Ilinkley & Norris and Ivina; were bidders for the court house, and, as we understand, neither of their first bids was accepted. We believe, however, that King’s was the lowest. Iiinkley & Norris obtained leave to put in an additional bid. Before doing so, they consulted with King, and it is pleaded that a corrupt bargain was made between them, by which King was not to bid, and that Hinkley & Norris were to divide the profits with or pay him a sum of money in consideration that he did not bid ao-ain. We do not think it has been established that such a bargain was entered into. After the contract was awarded to Hinkley & Norris, the county insisted that it must have an “ Iowa bond ” from them, conditioned that they would in all respects perform the contract. Hinkley & Norris applied to King to get. them such a bond, and they agreed to otherwise secure him, and, for his services in this respect, and the risk taken, King claims that Hinkley & Norris agreed to give him $3,000. King furnished a bond which was satisfactory to the county, and the following agreement was entered into between Hinkley & Norris and King: “This agreement, made this 25th day of April, 1879, by and between O. J. King, o-f Corning, Iowa, and Hinkley & Norris, of Indianapolis, Ind., witnesseth: That the parties hereto, having by their mutual efforts secured the contract for the building of the Des Moines county court house, do hereby — 648 — agree that the said O. J. King is to procure, by himself or friends, a good and sufficient bond, to be apjn’oved by the supervisors of said county, and is in turn to reeéive from said Ilinkley & Norris an indemnifying bond to be satisfactory to him. That said Hinkley & E orris are to take upon themselves the carrying out of said contract, and to give to said King three orders, of even date herewith, for one thousand dollars each, payable as named in said orders, and all of the balance of any profits to be derived from such contract are to belong to Ilinkley & Norris.” In pursuance of this agreement, or a prior understanding, Ilinkley & Norris drew three orders on the county for $1,000 each, payable to King. The orders were subsequently taken up, and are not before us. But it sufficiently appears that they were to be paid as the work progressed: — that is, it was expressed on the face of the orders that they were to be paid' before the completion of the court house. Hinkley testifies that King was to be paid out of the profits, and that the orders were given under the belief that $3,000 would be one-third of the profits. This King denies; but he admits that there was some talk about profits. Shortly afterwards, another contract was made between King and Hinkley & Norris, whereby it was agreed that, in case of the death or disability of Hinkley, “so that he was unahle to carry on said work,” King had the right to complete the same, and to collect of the county for that purpose a sufficient amount of the money agreed to be paid, and the residue, if anything, was to be paid to Hinkley & Norris, or their representatives. Afterward, and in November, 1880, King surrendered the three orders for $1,000 each, in consideration of the payment to him by Hinkley & Norris of $50*, and the following order given by them on the county: “To the County of Des Moines: Please pay to the order of J. O. King, upon the completion of the new court house now — 649 — being built by us for Des Moines county, tbe sum of $2,150, out of any money that may be due us on final .settlement. “ ITinKlbt & Norbis.” This order was accejhed by tbe board of supervisors, and is tbe same order under wbicb Sigler claims. It is not claimed that Sigler’s rights are any better than King’s. Upon this order Sigler brought the action at law against the county, and set up his rights in the equitable action. He claims that he' should be paid in full out of the fund in controversy before the other defendants, who, however, insist that this cannot be, because King was to be paid out of the profits, and that, before there could be any profits, all persons who furnished material for the court house must be first paid. But for the fact that the three orders were to be paid as the work progressed, and, therefore, before it could be certainly known that ther'e would be any profits, the preponderance of the ’evidence, we think, as to this matter, is with the defendant material-men. The written contract, above set out in full, clearly, we think, so indicates, and therefore confirms the evidence of Hinkley. Nor do we think the fact that the orders were made payable prior to the completion of the building is a controlling circumstance; because, as we suppose, the parties estimated that the foundation, for instance, would cost a certain amount, and that there would be so much profit in building it; and again, so much when the building was erected, and another portion when the house was completed. There is evidence tending to show that the orders were made payable at periods corresponding to the foregoing theory. But there is evidence tending to show that one of the orders was páyable in six months, and without reference to how much of the building was then done. It is difficult to believe that Hinkley & Norris would agree to pay King $3,000, if there were no profits. If the orders were to be paid absolutely and at stated periods, without reference to profits, it is difficult to understand why King sur — 650 — rendered the orders, and tools another for a less amount, at a time when, as Iiinkley testified, it had become apparent that there would be no profits. The last order was to be paid out of an^ money due Iiinkley & Norris on final settlement. If nothing was due from the county, it is clear there could be nothing paid. But, it is said, there was due on .such settlement more than sufficient to pay the order. Conceding this to be so, it is replied that the parties clearly contemplated that the court house was to be completed in accordance with the contract before anything could be paid, and that, to do this, material must be purchased, either for cash or on credit, and that it cannot and should not be presumed that the parties intended, if material was purchased on credit, that King should be paid before the material-men; that, in view of all the circumstances, the parties contemplated that the house should be completed and paid for by the contractor, and that, if there was more money than sufficient to do this, then King should be paid before Iiinkley & Norris were entitled to anything. We are forced to the conclusion that this is the only proper construction that can be given to the order, in view of all the circumstances. The money is due Hinkley & Norris from the county only because of the fact that a material-man cannot establish a mechanics’ lien against a public building. But, as to King, it is inequitable that he should be paid before such persons, and we are satisfied that it was never contemplated that he should be. YI. After the last order had been given to King, certain extra work was contracted for and done by Hinkley & Norris. THE SAME. In January, 1882, the amount due for such extra i*,i -it work 'was adjusted, and the sum ot $650 was agreed upon as due. This amount was paid Hinkley & Norris by the county, and Sigler claims that he is entitled to judgment against the county for the amount above stated, because it was money due on final settlement, and, therefore, due him under the terms of the order. — 651 — As no extra work bad been clone or contracted for when the order was given, the only final settlement contemplated by the parties was the final settlement of the then existing contract, and, when such settlement was made, the county was directed to pay the amount found due, to the extent of the order of King. Hinkley & Norris never intended that King should receive any part of the money due for extra work, and the county never was directed to pay. him any part or portion of said money. It cannot be presumed from the terms or words of the order that the county was directed to pay money to King on account of a contract which had no existence when the order was given. The order must be limited to the contract in force at the time it was given. None other was contemplated by the parties. The decree of the circuit court is affirmed, except as to the costs. Modified and affirmed.