Wheeler v. Standley

Adams, Judge, delivered the opinion of the court. This suit was brought by plaintiff as assignee of a non-negotiable note. The defendant set up the defense that the note was procured from him by fraud, in this : that it was given as a part of the purchase-money for a tract of land, and obtained from him by one A. Conlin, who fraudulently represented that he was the attorney in fact of W. R. Roberts, the alleged owner of the land, and falsely represented that Roberts was the real owner of the land; and the defendant charges that the power of attorney was a forgery and all the title papers of Roberts were forgeries, and that Roberts was a man of straw and had no real existence. The plaintiff replied, denying these allegations, and setting up that the defendant had given a deed of trust on the land, and part of it had been sold, and he was unable to convey it back. The case was submitted to the court, and at the close of the evidence the plaintiff asked declarations of law to the effect that if the note was given for land, for which a deed with general warranty had been executed to the defendant, and that he had taken possession under such deed, and had ever since remained in possession, and had expended nothing in obtaining adverse titles, then the finding and judgment must be for plaintiff; and if he had [511] given a deed of trust to secure part of the purchase-money, and a part of the land had been sold under the deed of trust, the court must find for plaintiff. The court refused to declare the law as asked by plaintiff, and found for defendant, and the plaintiff filed a motion for a new trial, which was overruled. When there is no fraud, and a party receives a conveyance with covenants of general warranty for title, he cannot retain possession, and set up a failure of title when sued for the purchase-money. His remedy is upon the covenant in his deed, after eviction by paramount title. This, however, is not that case. The defense here is that there was no deed at all; that the power of attorney was a forgery and all the title papers forgeries ; and the proofs strongly tended to establish those facts. The plaintiff’s declarations of law did not touch the defense relied on, and it is unnecessary to discuss them. The defense was undoubtedly good, and the finding and judgment of the court was for the right party. Judgment affirmed. The other judges concur.