Sachs v. Norn

102 N.W. 983, 139 Mich. 357, 1905 Mich. LEXIS 938
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedMarch 21, 1905
DocketDocket No. 7
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 102 N.W. 983 (Sachs v. Norn) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Sachs v. Norn, 102 N.W. 983, 139 Mich. 357, 1905 Mich. LEXIS 938 (Mich. 1905).

Opinion

'Moore, C. J.

The plaintiffs are a firm doing business ¡¡at West Branch. The principal defendant was a partnership association, limited, engaged in lumber business near [358]*358that place. The company purchased of plaintiffs between February 1 and June 6, 1902, supplies for use in its camps. Plaintiffs, failing to obtain payment, on December 6, 1902, commenced suit against the principal defendant, which resulted in a judgment against it on November 16, 1903. For the purpose of procuring a writ of garnishment against Mr. Norn in favor of the plaintiffs, Mr. Brockway, at the same time the original suit was brought, as agent and attorney for the plaintiffs, made an affidavit which reads in part as follows:

“ And this deponent further says that he has good reason to believe, and does believe, that James Norn, of Standish, Michigan, has property, money, goods, chattels, credits, and effects in his hands and under his custody- and control, belonging to said Rifle River Lumber Company, limited, etc., the above-named defendant, and that the said James Norn is indebted to the said Rifle River' Lumber Company, limited, etc., the above-named defendant, whether such indebtedness is now due or not. And this deponent further says that he, the said affiant,, is justly apprehensive of the loss of said sum of $431.98, so due to the plaintiffs from the said Rifle River Lumber Company, limited, etc., the above-named defendant, un- ' less a writ of garnishment issue to the said Henry W. Sachs and Louis E. Wenzel, a firm and copartnership,”' etc.

A writ of garnishment was issued and served upon Mr.. Norn, who, on December 23, 1902, made a sworn written, disclosure showing he was indebted to some one in the sum of $659.82 for lumber; “that on the 3d day of July, 1902, I bought from the Rifle River Lumber Co., per John Walsh, administrator, a quantity of hemlock lumber, and said deal was sanctioned by H. H. Norrington.” He further stated therein, “ I do not know who I owe; would like the court to say.”

A demand for an examination of the garnishee defendant under the statute was made January 2, 1903. An examination was had January 14, 1903, when the following occurred:

[359]*359“Mr. Joslyn, appearing for the principal defendant,' and especially as attorney for the Lumberman’s State Bank.
‘ ‘ Mr. Joslyn : Let it appear that I appear specially as attorney for the Lumberman’s State Bank, and object to the garnishee being sworn, for the reason that the disclosure filed shows that the Lumberman’s State Bank, or Henry H. Norrington, representing the bank, is interested in the indebtedness, and the bank has had no notice of the garnishee proceedings or of this examination.”

The objection was overruled.' No objection was made that the affidavit was defective, and the examination proceeded, Mr. Joslyn taking part therein.

In January, 1904, a trial was had before a jury. At that time the record discloses that De Yere Hall appeared for plaintiff—

For the defendant, the Rifle River Lumber Company, and for the garnishee defendant, James Norn, and for the Lumberman’s State Bank, intervening, L. E. Joslyn.
“Mr. Joslyn: In this case it is agreed between the attorney for James Norn, the garnishee defendant, and Hall & Brockway, attorneys for the plaintiffs, that the Lumberman’s State Bank may intervene, and that from this time the Lumberman’s State Bank will be considered as a defendant in the case, and' that whatever determination may be made in the suit as between the plaintiffs and the garnishee defendant shall be binding upon the Lumberman’s State Bank.
‘ ‘ Mr. Hall: Whom do you represent ?
“Mr. Joslyn: I represent the Lumberman’s State Bank and also the principal defendant.
“Mr. Hall: That is right with respect to any intervention that the bank could take, or any rights it might have or might take by filing the ordinary petition for intervention. There is no objection, and we will treat it as intervening.
“Mr. Joslyn: I desire to raise the point of law that the affidavit for the writ of garnishment in this case is not sufficient upon which to warrant the issuing of the writ of garnishment or to found any subsequent proceedings. _ The statute provides that the plaintiff, or some one on his behalf, shall file an affidavit which requires, among other things, that it shall be stated that the affiant is justly ap[360]*360prehensive of the loss of his claim or the claim of the plaintiff unless a writ of garnishment issue to the party whom he claims is indebted to the principal defendant, * * *
“Hr. Hall: The facts which the plaintiffs expect to be able to prove are that a judgment was secured in this court for goods and supplies furnished the principal defendant, which, with the .cost taxed, now amount to about $470; that this writ of attachment was duly issued on the affidavit in question; that Mr. Norn has filed two disclosures, in which no question has been raised such as is now raised; that a notice under the statute for the taking of Mr. Norn’s testimony has been given, and his testimony has been taken here, at which time Mr. Joslyn appeared on behalf of the Lumberman’s State Bank, and raised a question as to the right of the court to proceed. He did not raise this question, or any question similar to it. Mr. Norn was examined by the counsel for the plaintiffs, he was cross-examined by counsel for the bank now raising this question. That testimony has been transcribed, and stands as testimony in this case. The case has been on the docket for two terms, at least, and stands continued to this term by special order of the court, and now for the first time this question is raised. We submit, if it is to be disposed of, it ought to be disposed of on a trial after the proofs are in, so that, if the Supreme Court acts upon this matter, it may act finally, and that there will be no going up there and coming back and a long delay in the matter.
The Court: I won’t make any change in the ruling I made before the recess. From the affidavit I don’t think that there is anything misleading about it, and I will overrule the motion, and, if it is deemed necessary to make any formal amendment, it may be made as a curative one.”

Mr. Joslyn made no suggestion that the statement of Mr. Hall was not true. The court permitted the amendment, and the trial proceeded upon the merits, Mr. Joslyn taking part therein.

Upon the trial a paper was introduced in evidence, the material portions of which read as follows:

“Know all men by these presents, that the Rifle River Lumber Company, limited, a partnership association organized and doing business under the laws of the State of Michigan, for and in consideration of the sum of one [361]*361dollar, and other good and sufficient consideration, to it paid by Henry H. Norrington, treasurer of said Rifle River Lumber Co., Ltd., of West Bay City, Bay county, Michigan, for the uses and purposes hereinafter referred to, have granted, bargained, and sold, and does hereby grant, bargain, and sell to the said Henry H.

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

Related

Detroit Trust Co. v. Detroit City Service Co.
247 N.W. 76 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1933)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
102 N.W. 983, 139 Mich. 357, 1905 Mich. LEXIS 938, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/sachs-v-norn-mich-1905.