Case ID: f_171/html/0297-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "BROWN, District Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In re COLE.
    (District Court, D. Rhode Island.
    July 12, 1909.)
    No. 506.
    Bankruptcy (§ 140) — Title oe Trustee-Mortgaged Goods — Delivery to Mortgagee — Retention oe Keys.
    Where a key to a storeroom containing the mortgaged goods was delivered to the mortgagee, who visited the room, examined the goods, and retained the key, there was a delivery and retention of the goods by the mortgagee, though the mortgagor retained another key; there being no evidence that the mortgagee had knowledge thereof, or that the mortgagor ever visited the storeroom, or exercised any control over the goods.
    [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Bankruptcy, Dec. Dig. § 140.]
    
      In Bankruptcy.
    James H. Rickard, Jr., for appellant.
    Mendell W. Crane, for trustee.
    
      
      For other cases see same topic & § number in Dec. & Am. Digs. 1907 to date, & Rep’r Indexes’
    
   BROWN, District Judge.

Upon the facts found by the referee, I am of the opinion that possession of the mortgaged personal property was delivered to and retained by the mortgagee Terlcel.

A key of the storeroom containing the goods was delivered to the mortgagee, who visited the storeroom, examined the goods, and after-wards retained the key. Under the circumstances he was not required to inquire if the mortgagor retained another key, but was entitled to assume that the key given to him for the express purpose of giving him possession of the goods did in fact give him a possession which was exclusive. The mere fact that the mortgagor retained another key, without evidence that he ever visited the storeroom or exercised any control of the goods after delivery of the key to the mortgagee, is insufficient to show that the mortgagee had knowledge of the existence of a second key, or that he consented to a joint possession of the goods.

There was apparently some conflict in the testimony as to whether there was in fact more than one key; but the referee has expressly found that Terkel received from Cole a key to the storeroom, and bases his opinion that there was not a sufficient taking and retaining of possession upon the ground that such possession was as much retained by the mortgagor as the mortgagee, because, each retained a key to the storeroom. I see no reason for disturbing the referee’s finding of fact that each retained a key to the storeroom. Under the circumstances, however, the mere retaining of a second key by the mortgagor is insufficient to show that the mortgagee’s possession was not exclusive.

The decision of the referee disallowing.the claim is overruled, and the claim is allowed.