Williams v. Smith

21 Mo. 419

Opinion

Scott, Judge,

delivered the opinion of the court.

It may be seen from the words of the note sued on, that it was not a negotiable one, .within the meaning of the 15th section of the act concerning bills of exchange and negotiable promissory notes.

The note, not being negotiable within the meaning of the statute, there was no authority to protest it; consequently, any protest made of it could not be received as legal evidence. The blank endorsement of the names of the payees is not evidence of a transfer of the note, as it was erased, and as there was no proof that the note ever had been endorsed to any one. The payees may have contemplated a transfer, and afterwards have changed their minds. In the case of Davis v. Christy, there was evidence that the note had actually been transferred, and it was held that the destruction of the evidence of the transfer would not divest the title of the assignee. Here, it does not appear that the note ever had been assigned.

The other judges concurring, the judgment will be affirmed.