Exchange Bank v. Weiner

170 N.E. 788, 92 Ind. App. 692, 1930 Ind. App. LEXIS 219
CourtIndiana Court of Appeals
DecidedMarch 20, 1930
DocketNo. 13,458.
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 170 N.E. 788 (Exchange Bank v. Weiner) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Indiana Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Exchange Bank v. Weiner, 170 N.E. 788, 92 Ind. App. 692, 1930 Ind. App. LEXIS 219 (Ind. Ct. App. 1930).

Opinion

Nichols, J.

Action by appellee against appellant in three paragraphs of complaint, the first being on a certificate of deposit issued by appellant to appellee, and which appellant had already paid after indorsement and presentment for payment, the second being for money had and received,” and the third being similar to the first, except that the third paragraph adds that the name of appellee was indorsed on said certificate by some other person without authority from appellee, and was a forgery.

*694 Appellant answered, first, by a general denial, and, second, so far as here involved, and after averring that the certificate of deposit was delivered to appellee, it was alleged that appellee and one Alex Copeland were theretofore engaged in the production of oil in the state of Colorado as a partnership or as a common endeavor, and that appellee delivered said certificate of deposit to said Copeland, with direction to use such certificate and the proceeds thereof for the purpose of placing the same as a cash bond for the use and benefit of the partnership, and that, pursuant to said directions on the part of appellee, and in compliance with his directions, Copeland indorsed said certificate and delivered the same to the Farmers’ Bank and Trust Company, of Fort Collins, Colorado; that said Copeland indorsed said certificate of deposit and deposited the same in the Farmers’ Bank and Trust Company of Fort Collins, then, by averment, tracing such certificate of deposit, by due course of exchange, through successive banks and trust companies back to appellant bank, which paid the same. Appellee replied in general denial, after which the cause was submitted to the court for trial, with a request for special findings, which were made, and from which it appears that appellant is, and for more than 10 years last past has been, a private banking institution, conducting a banking business in the town of Warren, Indiana; that, on May 15, 1924, appellant issued to appellee its certificate of deposit in the sum of $2,318.38, which said certificate was as follows: “Warren, Indiana, May 15, 1924. No. 169024. This certifies that Thomas-Weiner has deposited with the Exchange Bank of Warren, $2,318.38, Twenty three hundred eighteen dollars thirty eight cents, payable to the order of himself in current funds on the return of this certificate properly endorsed.

“G. S. Good & Co., Cashier.

*695 “Interest 4 per cent per annum if left six months. No interest after 6 months.”

That, on September 23,1924, appellant, in the regular course of business, received from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Illinois, said certificate for $2,318.38, which bore on the back thereof the following indorsements, to wit:

“Thomas Weiner
“Alex Copeland
“Farmers’ Bank & Trust Company, Fort Collins, Colorado
“Broadway National Bank, Denver, Colorado
“Northern Trust Company of Chicago, 111.
“Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 111.”

That on said date, appellant paid to Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, $2,318.38; that, prior to September 25, 1924, appellee placed said certificate in the possession of one Alex Copeland, who was then interested with appellee in some oil deals and properties in the state of Wyoming, without indorsing the same; that, prior to . this time, Copeland had notified appellee that he (Copeland) would have to put up a cash bond on some oil deals in which they were interested, pursuant to which request, appellee sent Copeland the certificate as above stated; that appellee never recovered possession of said certificate after so placing the same in the possession of Copeland; that, at the time said certificate was paid by appellant, the name “Thomas Weiner” appeared on the back thereof as an indorsement, but appellee did not write or indorse said name “Thomas Weiner” on the back of said certificate, and said name was not written or placed on the back of said certificate by his direction or consent, and he had no knowledge whatever that the name “Thomas Weiner” was placed thereon until after it was paid by appellant, and said indorsement of the name “Thomas Weiner” on the back of said certificate *696 was not genuine and was and is a forgery; that, from May 12, 1924 until the time of the commencement of this action, appellant had in its possession and on file the true and correct signature of appellee; that Copeland was not the agent of appellee and was not authorized or empowered to indorse said certificate for and on behalf of appellee and to collect the proceeds thereof; that appellee has never received payment of said certificate, and has never received the proceeds thereof or any part thereof.

The court stated as conclusions of law upon the above and foregoing facts that the law is with appellee and that he recover from appellant principal and interest in the sum of $2,666.05, with relief from valuation and appraisement laws, and that he recover costs. Judgment was rendered accordingly, from which, after appellant’s motion for a new trial was overruled, this appeal. The errors assigned are the action of the court in overruling appellant’s motion for a new trial and error in the conclusions of law.

Appellee, in his brief as well as in oral argument, forcefully challenges appellant’s brief as not conforming to Rule 22 of the Supreme and Appellate Courts, and contends that, therefore, no question is presented for our consideration. We conclude, howeyer, that the brief is sufficient to present the question as to whether the court erred in the conclusions of law. While the statements of law are in the abstract, it is apparent that they apply only to the question as to whether the court erred in its conclusions of law.

It is to be observed that Copeland, who was associated with appellee in the oil business, had notified him that he, Copeland, would have to put up a cash bond on some oil deals in which they were engaged, and that, pursuant to Copeland’s request, as the findings term it, appellee sent to Copeland the certificate of deposit. But, of course, we must know that the certificate would be use *697 less in the hands of Copeland for the purpose of obtaining cash for a cash bond, unless it was indorsed by the payee, appellee herein.

It is the rule that, where the business in hand is of such a nature as to require the agent to indorse commercial paper for the principal, or where such power is reasonably necessary to effectuate the main object of the business in hand, then such agent will be presumed to have the power so to do, and, to that end, and for that purpose, he is the agent of his principal so to indorse the paper. 31 Cyc. pp. 1381, 1382; Otis Elevator Co. v. First Nat. Bank (1912), 163 Cal. 31, 124 Pac. 704, 41 L. R. A. (N. S.) 529, 534, 538; Layet v. Gano (1848), 17 Ohio 466; Phoenix Nat. Bank v. Taylor (1902), 113 Ky. 61, 67 S. W. 27; Nat. Bank of Republic v. Old Town Bank (1902), 112 Fed. 726; 21 R. C. L. 870, 872.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Burkhart v. Simms, Admr.
60 N.E.2d 141 (Indiana Court of Appeals, 1945)
Citizens' Union National Bank v. Terrell
50 S.W.2d 60 (Court of Appeals of Kentucky (pre-1976), 1932)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
170 N.E. 788, 92 Ind. App. 692, 1930 Ind. App. LEXIS 219, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/exchange-bank-v-weiner-indctapp-1930.