Case ID: ky-op_6/html/0076-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Judge Lindsay:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Burrell Million v. John Newby.
    Principal and Surety — Contribution—Insolvency of Principal.
    The evidence was held to ¡show that the principal waisi not insolvent, and that a surety was not entitled to look to his co-surety for contribution.
    'APPEAL FROM MADISON CIRCUIT COURT.
    December 10, 1872.
    
      Bwrnam, for appellant.
    
    
      Scott, for appellee.
    
   Opinion by

Judge Lindsay:

By the payment of the note to Collins, appellant became primarily the creditor of the principal, Robert Million, and his right to look to his co-surety, Newby, for contribution depends upon whether or not the principal in the note was at the time of such payment insolvent.

The evidence shows that at that time Robert Million owned in his own right, unencumbered by liens, a tract of land, which he sold two years afterwards for the sum of nine hundred dollars, nearly one-half of which was applied to the payment of a debt upon which appellant was his surety. It further appears that in 1865 and 1866 Robert Million, owned a grocery store, also, that in 1866 he delivered to appellant $400 in notes.

These facts, considered1 in connection with other circumstances proved, in our opinion rebut any presumption of insolvency upon the part of Robert Million growing out of the general statements of his witnesses that they did not regard him as solvent. By the use of ordinary diligence appellant could have secured indemnity from his son for whom he paid the money to Collins; hence he was properly refused a judgment against his co-surety, Newby, for ■ any amount. This conclusion renders the consideration of the other questions presented unnecessary.

Judgment affirmed.