Case Name: Mary Brockman, App'lt, v. Henry Buell, Resp't
Court: New York Court of Common Pleas
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1890-04-07
Citations: 30 N.Y. St. Rep. 856
Docket Number: 
Parties: Mary Brockman, App’lt, v. Henry Buell, Resp’t.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York State Reporter
Volume: 30
Pages: 856–856

Head Matter:
Mary Brockman, App’lt, v. Henry Buell, Resp’t.
(New York Common Pleas,
General Term,
Filed April 7, 1890.)
Chattel mortgage—Demand.
Where a chattel mortgage is given to secure payment one day after date no demand is necessary before action to recover the property; the commencement of the action constitutes a demand.
Appeal from the fifth district court.
L. II. Dickerson, for app’lt; B. Hoffman, for resp’t.

Opinion:
Larremore, Oh. J.
This action was brought by the plaintiff to recover possession of one sorrel horse valued at $200 and one set of blankets and harness valued at fifty dollars. The answer is a general denial and demand for a bill of particulars. Issue was joined in the court below and judgment rendered on December 27, 1889, in favor of the plaintiff for forty dollars, with costs.
Plaintiff claims as mortgagee in possession of the property and brings suit for the return thereof or its value. The mortgage in question was given by the defendant to the plaintiff to secure the sum of $800 one day after the date thereof. In such case no demand was necessary, it not being a mortgage payable on demand, and the commencement of the action constituted such demand.
As the court below found in favor of the plaintiff, thereby establishing her right to recover the property or its value, it is somewhat difficult to understand the reason for the amount awarded. The testimony appears to be undisputed that the value of the horse was $200. Evidently the court did not take this into consideration in assessing the damages. We are asked to render a judgment in plaintiff's favor for the value of the horse; this is not the province .of the appellate court.
The judgment appealed from must be reversed and a new trial ordered, with costs to abide the event
Bischoff, J., concurs.