Case ID: ohio-ch_1/html/0178-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "By the Court. Wright, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

SPENCER’S ADMINISTRATOR v. BROOKS.
    Security for an administrator — witness—money paid — money had and received by^ inferred from circumstances.
    A security for the plaintiff in his administration bond, is not thereby rendered incompetent to testify for him.
    To recover upon a count for money paid, &c. there must be proof that money has been paid by the plaintiff to, or for, the defendant.
    A recovery may be had for money had and received, where it appears that the defendant received goods to dispose of to pay the plaintiff, if the goods have been sold, and a jury may infer the sale from the circumstances, and from the defendant’s omission to prove the goods on hand.
    Assumpsit, for money paid, and for moneys had and received. Plea non assumpsit. On the trial, Woods was called by the plaintiff as a witness.
    
      
      Storer and Fox, for the defendant,
    objected to his competency, because he was security for the plaintiff, in his administration bond.
    
      Riddle and Starr, for the plaintiff,
    argued to the jury.
    
      Storer and Fox, for the defendant,
    insisted that there was no proof of money paid by the plaintiff’s intestate to or for the defendant, or that the defendant had received any money for the intestate, as it did not appear that the goods were sold. •
   By the Court.

The incompetency of the witness does not appear plain to us. He neither gains or loses by the event of this suit. He may be sworn, and the point reserved to be discussed hereafter, if it be desired.

Proof was then introduced that the plaintiff’s intestate was security on a note of Marsh and Fobes, who were failing, and sent his agent to obtain indemnity. Marsh and Fobes agreed to turn out goods. The goods, were laid off, and the agent was to call again in the morning, and measure and invoice them. In the morning, he returned, and found the defendant with Marsh and Fobes, and was told that they had made other arrangements; that Marsh and Fobes owed other debts, on which the defendant was security, and he thought he could do better by the goods, and would take the whole and pay the note on which Spencer was security, out of the first proceeds, as that was first due. Upon Brooks’ promise to that effect, and the understanding of all the parties, the goods were left with the defendant, and the note remained unpaid. Spencer was to pay it.

Wright, J.

to the jiiry., There is no proof that the plaintiff’s intestate paid money to or for the defendant, and therefore the plaintiff cannot recover on that count; but as to the other count for money had and received, the plaintiff can recover, if you are satisfied the goods were received by the defendant in the way stated, and have been since sold or disposed of. Without direct proof of the sale of the goods, you may infer the fact, if from.all the circumstances it seems to you, either from the lapse of time, or from the omission by the defendant to prove that the goods remain on hand, a fact easy for him to prove, that the goods'have been sold, or that so many of them have been sold as will pay the plaintiff.

Yerdict for the plaintiff $328 24.

New trial moved for and overruled, and judgment on the verdict.