Case ID: ad_123/html/0585-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Hooker, J.:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Richard Whalen, Appellant, v. Andrew Ruegamer, Jr., Respondent.
    Second Department,
    January 10, 1908.
    Trust — when trustee personally liable for services rendered.
    A trustee for creditors is personally liable for services rendered at his written request.although he signed himself “trustee,” if the plaintiff was not advised and did not know what principals the trustee represented.
    Appeal by the plaintiff, Richard Whalen, from a judgment of the Municipal Court of the city of Mew'York, borough of Brooklyn, in favor of the defendant, rendered on the 10th day of September, 1907.
    
      Edward M. Grout, for the appellant.
    
      A. P. Bachman, for the respondent.
   Hooker, J.:

It was conceded upon the trial that the plaintiff had performed the services claimed by him to have been rendered to the defendant, and that they were' worth the amount claimed. Plaintiff’s employment was shown by a postal card sent by the defendant to the plaintiff, reading as foliows: . •

“ Dear Sir.— Will yon do me a favor and remove dirt in front of 4 story Buildings on 51 St bet 3 and 4 Eve at once and sent Bill to me. Mr. Bauer of Myrtle Ave & Broadway recommended you. Your attention will oblige Yours truly,
“ AHDREW RUEGAMER, Jr., '■
Trustee.”

The defense is that the defendant was acting as trustee for creditors, and hence not liable because he was a mere agent; but it is undisputed that the plaintiff was not advised and did not know whom the defendant represented. Under the evidence as it stands the plaintiff was entitled to recover. (Argersinger v. Macnaughton, 114 N. Y. 535.)

The judgment should be reversed and a new trial ordered.

Woodward, Jenks, Gaynor and Miller, JJ., concurred.

Judgment of the Municipal Court reversed and new trial ordered, costs to abide the event.