Case ID: ill-app_195/html/0063-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mr. Presiding Justice Scanlan", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Charles Dressler, Administrator, Appellant, v. James H. Van Vlissingen, Appellee.
    Gen. No. 20,932.
    (Not to be reported in full.)
    Appeal from the Superior Court of Cook county; the Hon. Clarence N. Goodwin, Judge, presiding.
    Heard in the Branch Appellate Court at the October term, 1914.
    Affirmed.
    Opinion filed October 6, 1915.
    Statement of the Case.
    Action in assumpsit in the Superior Court of Cook county by Charles Dressier, administrator of the estate of Fredericka Dressier, deceased, against James H. Van Vlissingen to recover on a promissory note executed by the defendant at Chicago, dated December 1, 1903, to the order of Fredericka Dressier, for the sum of $1,000, with interest at six per cent, per annum. It appeared that the defendant had been discharged in bankruptcy, but the plaintiff claimed that he had expressly promised to pay the debt after such discharge, and there was evidence that the defendant had paid $50 on the note.
    The case was tried by the court without a jury, and the issues were found in favor of the defendant. Judgment was entered upon the finding and this appeal followed.
    Ossiah Cameron and Fred C. Churchill, for appellant.
    
      Abstract of the Decision.
    1. Bankruptcy, § 81
      
      —what promise is necessary to revive a debt discharged in bankruptcy. A discharge in bankruptcy releases a debt of the bankrupt arising out of a note, and to revive the same the promise of the debtor to pay the note must be clear, distinct and unequivocal, and without such clear and express promise neither pay-ment of interest, part payment of principal, nor declaration of intention to pay will suffice to revive the same.
    2. Bankruptcy, '§ 85
      
      —when proof of new promise to pay debt discharged in bankruptcy is insufficient. Evidence held not to show a clear and unequivocal promise to pay a note discharged in bankruptcy.
    Frederick R. De Young, for appellee.
    
      
      See Illinois Notes Digest, Vols. XI to XV, and Cumulative Quarterly, same topic and section number.
    
   Mr. Presiding Justice Scanlan

delivered the opinion of the court.