Taylor v. Applebaum

118 N.W. 492, 154 Mich. 682, 1908 Mich. LEXIS 779
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedNovember 30, 1908
DocketDocket No. 52
StatusPublished

This text of 118 N.W. 492 (Taylor v. Applebaum) 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
Taylor v. Applebaum, 118 N.W. 492, 154 Mich. 682, 1908 Mich. LEXIS 779 (Mich. 1908).

Opinion

Hooker, J.

On February 24, 1903, one George Currie, being owner of certain scows and other property, made a chattel mortgage of the same to one Arthur C. Lloyd to secure a note of $1,800-and any other sums that might be owing to him. On March 27, 1905, Currie executed the following instrument; the same apparently having been written upon said mortgage:

“Detroit, Mich., March 27, 1905.
“ Whereas the chattels herein enumerated have largely depreciated’ in value from that appraised at the time this sale was made; and whereas, I am not now able to pay the note for $1,800 for which the chattels herein enumerated are pledged: Now, therefore, in consideration of the cancellation, surrender and return to me of the said note for $1,800, the receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge, I hereby absolutely sell and convey to Arthur C. Lloyd, all my right, title and interest to all the property herein and authorize him to take immediate possession thereof.
[Signed] “George E. Currie.
“Witness:
“Ernest F. Lloyd.”

On October 15,1903, Currie negotiated with Applebaum for an engine and boiler, and the result of such negotiation appears from certain writing, and the oral testimony given by Currie, who was a witness for the plaintiff. Currie acquired possession of said engine and boiler, and substituted them for those on one of the scows. The writings referred to consist of a written lease of the engine and boiler, four promissory notes and a statement; all being dated October 15, 1903.

The lease was in terms following:

“This agreement made this 15th day of October, 1903, between Isaac Applebaum, of Detroit, party of the first part, and George E. Currie, of the same place, of the second part, as follows, to wit: The first party agrees to let and lease to the said party of the second part a certain Raw’s & Morrison De La Vergue 84-xlO hoisting engine, boiler and fixtures complete for the term of four (4) months from the date hereof, at a rental of $500. The first party further agrees to, and does hereby give to said [684]*684second party, the option and privilege of buying said machine, at the expiration of the said four months, from this date, for the sum of eleven hundred and twenty-five dollars ($1,125), but it is agreed that the rental price of five hundred dollars shall then apply on said purchase price, and then shall be due and payable to the party of the first part the sum of six hundred and twenty-five dollars. The party of the second part agrees to the above terms and in consideration of the use of said engines and equipment for four months agrees to pay the sum of five hundred dollars to the first party, and for that purpose has this day executed to the said party of the first part a note for the sum of five hundred dollars, payable in thirty days from the date hereof, with interest at the rate of six per cent, and if same is not paid when due the party of the first part shall be entitled to an immediate return of said engine and equipment without legal process, together with the rental therefor. The party of the second part further agrees that, if at the end of the said four months he desires to exercise his option of buying said engine as aforesaid, he will pay the said party of the first part the sum of six hundred and twenty-five dollars in addition to the rental of five hundred dollars above agreed upon. The second party further agrees and understands that the property herein mentioned at all times is owned by the first party until the second party has exercised this option and receives a proper bill of sale therefor, and further agrees that if he does not exercise his option at the end of the said four months he will return and deliver to the first party’s warehouse the engine, boiler and fixtures complete in as good condition and repair as when he received same, and will at all times keep the said engine and equipment in first class condition and repair during the term of this lease and while same is in his possession.
“ In witness whereof the parties have this 15th day of October, 1903, subscribed their names and seals.
[Signed] “ George E. Currie.
“I. Applebaum.
“Witnessed by:
“Jake Roth.
“Daisy L. Bowerman.”

Four notes were given, one for $500, and three for $481.37 each. A copy of one will answer for all:

[685]*685“ 500.00 Detroit, Mich., Oct. 15, 1903.
“Thirty days after date, I promise to pay to Isaac Applebaum or order five hundred & no /100 dollars at Detroit Savings Bank. Value received. 6% interest.
[Signed] “George E. Currie.
“ [Memo, in margin] As per lease executed 15th day of October, 1903.”

The defendant insists that the title to the engine and boiler have at all times remained in him as indicated by the provisions of the lease, while the plaintiff claims that the lease was abrogated by what occurred after it was made, and that title thereupon vested in him. His position is that the testimony of Currie shows this, and therefore that the court erred in taking that question from the jury and directing a verdict for defendant. It becomes necessary to determine whether there is testimony from which such a conclusion can be legitimately inferred. We therefore insert that portion of his testimony which refers to the subject.

Direct examination/

“Q. From whom did you purchase that boiler and engine?
‘‘A. From Mr. Applebaum.
“Q. When did you buy it ?
“A. October 15, 1903.
“Q. You have had business relations with Mr. Applebaum before that time ?
“A. Yes; covering a great period of time.
“Q. October 15, 1903, you bought this boiler and engine of Mr. Applebaum ?
“A. Yes, sir.
“Q. At that time were you indebted to him?
“A. I was indebted to him over $800 apart from the purchase of the boiler and engine.
“Q. What was the price paid Mr. Applebaum October 15, 1903, for this boiler and engine ?
“A. $1,125.
“Q. How did you pay for that ?
“A. In notes.
“Q. Did you embrace in the notes given at that time your former indebtedness to him ?
“A. I did. At the time I purchased this boiler and [686]*686engine from Mr. Applebaum, I was owing him $819, I believe. The first agreement was a lease of some boiler with the option of purchase. When the bargain was consummated, the notes were given in payment for the engine. * * *
“Q. What was the next step taken after the execution of this lease with reference to this boiler and engine ?
“A. I gave Mr.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
118 N.W. 492, 154 Mich. 682, 1908 Mich. LEXIS 779, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/taylor-v-applebaum-mich-1908.