Sperry v. Clarke

41 N.W. 203, 76 Iowa 503, 1889 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 13

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: January 17, 1889
• Status: Published

Opinion

Granger, J.

— I. The first question presented in argument for our consideration is, will the clause in the mortgage as to the accounts be construed as an assignment, or a mere pledge as security ? We think the instrument on its face settles that question. It is said in argument by appellants that “ the instrument itself bears the intent of the parties.” Let us refer to it. It says: “We have bargained and sold * * * our entire stock of dry goods, * * * situate in Mrs. A. B. West's store building in Dakota City; * * * also our books of account, and accounts due and to become due, "• * * to have and to hold the same forever, * * * upon condition, however, that if the said Thompson & Thompson shall pay or cause to be paid to the said Sperry, Watt &• Garver * * * two promissory notes, * * * then these presents to be void; otherwise in full force.” It is conceded in the case that the stock of goods was only mortgaged. Now, taking the instrument as showing the intent of the parties, (and wherein does it show a different intent or purpose as to the stock of goods and the accounts ?) the same language as to the sale and the conditions of the sale applies to each. It is the conditional feature of the instrument that renders it a mortgage. The clause of the instrument which appellants construe as the assignment is ingrafted into a mortgage, and without a distinguishing sentence in reference to it. This, we think, is enough to justify a holding that the intent was only to pledge it as security. As indicating the intent of the plaintiffs, looking beyond the mortgage, we find by reference to the agreement, by which the defendant was to hold and collect the accounts, pending litigation, that it uses these words: “Whereas said Sperry, Watt & Garver hold a chattel mortgage executed February 2, 1885, by. Thompson & Thompson, upon the books of account due and to become due,” etc. This language indicates something of the view of the plaintiffs after this controversy arose.

II. It is insisted by the appellee that the description in the mortgage is too indefinite to impart constructive notice to third parties. The description in the mortgage, placed under the usual, videlicet, is as follows: ‘ ‘ Our entire stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, clothing, glassware and fixtures, all situate in Mrs. A. B. West’s store building in Dakota City, Iowa, on lots 6 and 7, in block No.-7, in said town of Dakota City, Iowa; also our books of account and accounts due and to become due.” Something is said in argument as to accounts not being a proper subject of chattel mortgage. That point, in this case, has received little attention from counsel, and we pass it, hoping to be favored with a fuller brief and argument, if the question shall hereafter arise. As to the sufficiency of the description we are not referred to, nor do we find, where this court has passed upon the sufficiency of a description of accounts in a mortgage. In the case of Ormsby v. Nolan, 69 Iowa, 130, the court had under consideration the sufficiency of a description in these words : “ One open buggy, with fills, new, made by Taylor Bros., Emmetsburg, and bought of them; and one sulky, new, arid made by Taylor Bros., Emmetsburg, Iowa.” This court held such a description too indefinite to impart constructive notice, and used the following language: “The description of the property as contained in the mortgage must direct the mind to evidence whereby the precise thing conveyed may be ascertained, and if thereby absolute certainty mfiy be attained the instrument is valid ; otherwise, it is void as to third parties for uncertainty.” The description in the'case at bar is certainly not more definite or certain. It says, “ orir accounts.” It is to some extent uncertain as to whether it means all or only a part. Extrinsic evidence would ¡in. many cases show that by .such an expression the parties only intended a part; in others it Would show that all was intended. It does not show whether the mortgage includes only the accounts made directly by Thompson & Thompson in their business, or accounts purchased by them, — whether or not they are accounts evidenced or designated by memorandums. Words could hardly be used to render it more indefinite and uncertain. It does not come within the rule that “the mortgage must direct the mind to-evidence whereby the precise thing conveyed may be ascertained.” If the mortgage contained a clause referring to a memorandum statement of the accounts, or a book containing a statement or a memorandum thereof in the possession of some person, it would seem to point to the evidence contemplated by the rule given. We think the record of the mortgage, so far as the accounts are concerned, was not notice to the defendant.

Affirmed.

Robinson, J., dissenting.