T. J. Boyd & Co. v. Pottle

Biggs, J. The plaintiff sued the defendant, Pottle, by attachment. The writ was levied upon a lot of household goods. The respondent filed an inter-plea, claiming the goods. The issues were found for him both before the justice and in the circuit court, and the plaintiff, by successive appeals, has brought the matter here for review. The complaint here is that, under the conceded facts, the judgment on the interplea ought to have been for the plaintiff. The respondent claims to have purchased the goods from Pottle on the fourth day of October, 1894, whicn purchase was evidenced by a bill of sale, of that date, signed by Pottle and his wife. It is admitted by the respondent that the goods remained in the possession of Pottle until the thirteenth ■ day of November following. Pottle left on the night of the thirteenth, and the goods were seized the next morning under the plaintiff’s writ. The respondent also admits that he did not attempt to take possession at any time, and he does not state definitely why he did not. However, it is fairly inferable from his testimony that it was understood between him and Pottle that the latter should have the privilege of repurchasing the goods, and that for that reason he was permitted to retain possession of them. It seems from the instructions given and refused, none of which were excepted to, that in the opinion of the trial judge a delivery was not necessary [376] to a valid sale of chattels. That is true as between the parties, but not so as to the creditors of the vendor, or subsequent purchasers from him. As to them the sale is fraudulent and void, unless possession accompanies it, or takes place within a reasonable time thereafter. Revised Statutes, 1889, section 5178. What is a reasonable time within the meaning of the statute is a question of law for the court where the facts are undisputed, but where there is conflicting testimony as to the intervention of a reasonable time, the question is one for the jury. State v. Hellman, 20 Mo. App. 304; Stewart v. Nelson, 79 Mo. 524. Here we have the unexplained fact, that Pottle retained possession of the goods for forty days, and during the time the respondent made no effort to get them; but, on the contrary, he tacitly admits that it was understood that Pottle was to retain the goods with the view of their repurchase. Under this evidence, it was the duty of the circuit court to declare the sale fraudulent as a matter of law. We will therefore reverse the judgment and remand the cause. Judges Rombauer and Bond concur in the result.