Collins v. Gaskill

221 S.W.2d 181, 359 Mo. 171, 1949 Mo. LEXIS 600
CourtSupreme Court of Missouri
DecidedApril 11, 1949
DocketNo. 40865.
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 221 S.W.2d 181 (Collins v. Gaskill) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Missouri primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Collins v. Gaskill, 221 S.W.2d 181, 359 Mo. 171, 1949 Mo. LEXIS 600 (Mo. 1949).

Opinions

Action to determine if there was an accord and satisfaction of indebtedness described in a certain "deed in *Page 174 trust," and for a judgment ordering that the described land be reconveyed and that a life insurance policy, which had been assigned, be returned to plaintiff Collins; or for alternative relief and for an accounting.

The trial court found there was an accord and satisfaction and ordered defendant-appellant Gaskill to surrender the life insurance policy; and decreed defendant-appellant Gaskill had no interest, and that he be barred from claiming any right, title or interest in the described land.

The case has its origin in the business and affairs of Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust Savings Company, which have been the source of litigation heretofore appealed to this court. See In re Collins' Trust Estate, 354 Mo. 614, 190 S.W.2d 259; Winchell v. Gaskill, 354 Mo. 593, 190 S.W.2d 266; Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust Savings Co. v. Gaskill, 356 Mo. 61, 201 S.W.2d 274.

In reading the opinion, In re Collins' Trust Estate, supra, it is observed that Erastus C. Collins, a plaintiff-respondent herein, and his wife were grantors in the "deed in trust" involved in that case, which instrument is also involved in the instant action; that Thornton Jennings, a plaintiff-respondent in the instant case, was appointed successor trustee by the Circuit Court of Henry County; that I.E. Gaskill, defendant-appellant herein, was the purchaser of the remaining assets of the Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust Savings Company, by which purchase he became entitled to the beneficial interest Company had under the trust instrument; that defendant W.W. Johnston, who died after the institution of the instant action, was the special deputy commissioner of finance in charge of the liquidation of Company's affairs; that Johnston, when in charge of the Company's affairs, took over the duties of trustee and so functioned until February 16, 1939, at which time Gaskill (defendant herein) purchased Company's assets and took over as trustee. And, in the instant case, it is, in effect, admitted Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust Savings Company, before its liquidation, had acquired the beneficial interest the Bank of LaDue had under the "deed in trust."

Some circumstances of the execution of the "deed in trust" are stated; and the terms of the instrument, including the powers of the trustee, are correctly summarized in the case of In re Collins' Trust Estate, supra (354 Mo. at page 618, 190 S.W.2d at page 260).

It is to be particularly noted in reading the opinion of In re Collins' Trust Estate, supra, that a $5000 policy on the life of Erastus C. Collins was assigned as security for the indebtedness mentioned in the instrument.

In the instant action it is alleged by plaintiffs that defendant Gaskill, hereinafter referred to as "defendant," received the proceeds (with some deductions) of a loan of $2410, procured by plaintiff Collins, hereinafter referred to as "plaintiff," on the insurance *Page 175 policy, in satisfaction of the indebtedness scheduled in the trust instrument. It is alleged in defendant's answer the indebtedness as of January 1, 1946, was $10,371. Hence the value in money to plaintiff of the relief sought by him and the loss to defendant by the satisfaction of the indebtedness exceeds $7500. This court has appellate jurisdiction of the case on the ground of "amount in dispute." Section 3, Article V, Constitution of Missouri, 1945. See Higgins v. Smith, 346 Mo. 1044,144 S.W.2d 149.

It seems the primary questions presented are — in the circumstances and in view of the relation of the parties, did written correspondence between defendant and plaintiff amount to an accord, and did defendant's receipt and acceptance of the proceeds of the loan procured by plaintiff on the life insurance policy amount to the execution or performance of the accord with consequent discharge of indebtedness secured and extinguishment of defendant's beneficial interest under the trust instrument. In order to grasp the significance of the correspondence it is necessary to extend this opinion by selecting and quoting the letters or parts of letters material to the issues.

While acting as trustee, Johnston, admittedly the agent of defendant, wrote [183] plaintiff, then living in Chino, California, a letter of December 17, 1938, as follows,

"This letter is written you in reference to your note to the Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust Savings Company with collateral security constituting of life insurance policy dated July 28, 1920, payable to Minnie Collins, and assignment of such policy by Minnie Collins to the Company; also the Trust Company to rent and retain net rentals from the 240 acre farm to apply on your note. . . . As you know, the past six years have been very bad in the agricultural sections, and the collections and expenses have come out about even. The remaining assets of the Company have been sold and the party purchasing the same is desirous of closingout these matters at the very earliest moment. We note from the policy that at the end of 18 years, which was July 28, 1938, that the said policy has a cash or loan value of $2230.00. The note and interest would amount to considerably more than this, but if you would desire to cash in the policy or make a loan with the company for the amount of such value, the purchaser . . . wouldbe willing to accept the same in full settlement of yourindebtedness and quit-claim deed back the farm to you andsurrender the policy either to you or the company. . . . If you decide to either cash in the policy or secure a loan, you can notify the company and we will be willing to cooperate with them in connection with any papers necessary in connection therewith." (Our italics.)

Plaintiff did not immediately answer the letter, and January 5, 1939, defendant wrote plaintiff as follows, *Page 176

"Referring to Mr. Johnston's letter of December 17th with reference to your paper, collateral, etc., among the latter of which is life insurance policy for $5000.00 . . . which policy now has a cash surrender value of $2230.00 or a loan value of that amount. I desire to close out the assets of the Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust Savings Co. as rapidly as is consistent and had expected that you would give a prompt reply to Mr. Johnston's letter in which he proposed deeding the farm back toyou and cancelling your obligations for the $2230.00 to be realized from the Life Insurance policy which would be accepted, by a surrender of the policy to the company or from the proceeds of a loan on the policy should you decide to continue to carry the policy. It appears that it would be to your interests tomake the loan and to that end I urge that you give the matteryour immediate attention and advise promptly, as otherwise Ishall in the very near future want to surrender the policy forliquidation purposes, because I do not care to carry on the oldarrangement. So please favor us with reply, for which air-mail, stamped envelope is enclosed." (Our italics.)

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Bluebook (online)
221 S.W.2d 181, 359 Mo. 171, 1949 Mo. LEXIS 600, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/collins-v-gaskill-mo-1949.