Sioux City Vinegar Manufacturing Co. v. Boddy

79 N.W. 350, 108 Iowa 538

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: May 23, 1899
• Status: Published

Opinion

Ladd, J.

— In Boddy against the Sioux Oity Vinegar Manufacturing Company, judgment by default was entered against the defendant at the September, 1897, term of court; and, after its close, this petition for new trial, on the ground of unavoidable casualty or misfortune, preventing the company from defending, was filed. The demurrer, among other things, questioned the sufficiency of the facts alleged to constitute such casualty or misfortune as is contemplated by the statute. Oode, section 4091. The original notice was served pn the secretary of the corporation, who was not charged with any part in the management of its affairs, and the pendency of the action was unknown to any one else connected with it. This secretary was also a member of a law firm, though he did nothing in the preparation of pleadings or trials of litigated cases. Having a general knowledge that the claim was disputed, and that the company had a defense, he placed the notice in a box or receptacle in the law office of his firm, for the purpose of having one of "his partners prepare the defense, draw the answer and appear in the cause in behalf of the defendant. Through some oversight or accident the notice was misplaced by the secretary, and the attention of neither of the other members of the firm was called to it .until after the rendition of the judgment. While the members of the firm other than the secretary left for distant points a few days after the notice was served, it does not appear that he was called away. It is not alleged that, from the mere placing of.the notice in the box or receptacle, the other members of the firm would understand, from the usage of the office, that the firm was employed, or what was to be done. Besides, if' an answer were to be prepared, something more than the mere handing of notice was essential, and this we must presume, was known to the secretary, who was an attorney. He knew he had not been called on for the necessary information by the other members of the 'firm, and, as they left shortly after the service of notice, he was in charge of the office, and gave the matter no attention. Whether the firm was retained by the company, or he was authorized to employ counsel, does not appear. As he was charged with no part in the management of its affairs, it would seem he could not employ counsel. We have a case, then, of the secretary of a corporation, not charged with the management of its affairs, who, being served with an original.notice, tossed it in a receptacle for the purpose of having a member of a law firm of which he was also a member prepare an answer and defend, which notice was by him misplaced by oversight, without mentioning the action to anyone, or giving it the slightest attention. That there was no -unavoidable casualty or misfortune appears from the bare statement of the facts. It was rather a case where the officer on whom notice was served forgot or neglected to give the matter any proper attention. That under such circumstances relief cannot be had is well settled. Insurance Co. v. Rodecker, 47 Iowa, 165; Grove v. Bush, 86 Iowa, 98; Church v. Lacey, 102 Iowa, 238; Jones v. Leach, 46 Iowa, 187; Mogelberg v. Clevinger, 93 Iowa, 736. — Afsiemsd.