Case Name: Morton vs. Rutherford and another
Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Wisconsin
Decision Date: 1864-06
Citations: 18 Wis. 298
Docket Number: 
Parties: Morton vs. Rutherford and another.
Judges: 
Reporter: Wisconsin Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 298–311

Head Matter:
Morton vs. Rutherford and another.
Rnder chap. 172, Laws of 1851, it was sufficient to avoid a contract for the repayment of borrowed money, if the money was loaned upon an oral agreement to pay a value beyond the legal rate of interest, although the note or other written evidence of indebtedness executed by the borrower, provided for the payment of only the legal rate.
Chap. 55, Gen. Laws of 1856, declares that “all bonds, bills, &c., whereby there is reserved or secured a rate of interest exceeding twelve per cent., shall be valid and effectual to secure the repayment of the principal sum loaned,” &e. Held that this act could not render valid a bond, bill or other instrument previously executed, and which was void by the act of 1851.
APPEAL from the Circuit Court for Jefferson County.
This action was brought in February, 1862, to foreclose a mortgage executed by the defendants Douglass Rutherford and Elizabeth, his wife, August 11, 1855, to secure payment of a note of the same date made by Douglass Rutherford to the plaintiff for $1,260 with interest at twelve per cent. The answer alleges, in substance, that the note and mortgage were executed in pursuance of a usurious agreement between the parties to the note, that the maker should pay and the payee should receive for the loan of the principal sum mentioned in the note, interest at twelve per cent, per annum as expressed in the note itself, and that the maker should, in addition, deliver to the payee in each year from the date of the note until its maturity, twelve cords of firewood; that, in pursuance of said agreement, defendant did deliver to plaintiff, in each of the winters of 1855-6,1856-7 and 1857-8, twelve cords of firewood, worth $1.50 per cord. For a second defense, the answer alleges that said note and mortgage were executed solely to secure the plaintiff for certain advances made by him for said defendant, and that the whole amount of those advances was $1107.60, which was the sole consideration for said note and mortgage.
. On the trial, the plaintiff read in evidence the note and mortgage described in the complaint, and, as a witness in his own behalf, testified that the sum of $1611.64 was then due on the note, and rested. The defendant, as a witness in his own behalf, testified as follows: “ The understanding with the plaintiff was, that he was to let me have money enough to pay one note for $666.66, and one for $300, which George Dow held against me; and I was to pay him twelve per cent, interest in money annually, and twelve cords of fire wood, to be delivered at plaintiff’s house, in Cambridge. It was agreed that I should give the note and mortgage. Plaintiff paid money to Dow at different times till he took up the two notes. He then came to me and wanted the note and mortgage, and named Brown’s office as the place where they should be made. I went to Brown’s office, and the note and mortgage were there drawn by Mr. Brown, all but signing, and were then taken to my house, where they were signed by myself and wife. When Brown commenced drawing the papers, he asked how much interest was to be paid. Morton said twelve per cent. Brown asked if that was all, and plaintiff said there was a wood dicker. Brown said, ‘ The understanding is, you are to pay twelve per .cent, and wood ?’ Plaintiff said, ‘ Yes, wood worth twelve shillings per cord.’ I delivered the twelve cords of wood for three years at the plaintiff’s house, as stated in my answer, on the agreement. The agreement was made in the spring of 1855. Plaintiff came to where I was cutting wood, and spoke about the money. I had seen him before about it. He said if he let me have the money I must pay him twelve per cent, and give him twelve cords of firewood each year; that money was worth more than twelve per cent. I told him that was pretty hard, but I had got to have the money, and I would do it if I could be sure of the money. William Martin was present at the time; also G-eorge Taylor.” The defendant then read in evidence the depositions of William Martin and Isaac S. Brown. Martin testified as follows: “ I lived with Douglass Rutherford during the summer and fall of 1855. I was present when an agreement was made between him and William Morton, the plaintiff, for a loan of money. The terms were, that Rutherford could have the money at twelve per cent, per annum interest, and that he was to give a mortgage upon his farm. Rutherford said he wanted the money to pay to the person from whom he had purchased the farm. This took place during the fall of 1855, but I cannot reeollect the precise month. The agreement was verbal, and was made in the woods where we were cutting wood, on Rutherford's farm. Rutherford agreed to give Morton twelve cords of wood per year in addition to the twelve per cent, interest until the principal and interest were paid; the wood to be delivered at his house for the use of his family. There was no time specified for its delivery. I delivered the first load of wood at plaintiff’s place under that agreement.” In reply to cross-interrogatories he said: “ I was in the defendant’s employ about one year or more. I do not recollect the day or month when I left him, but it was in the fall of 1856. It was after harvest. I do not remember the day or the month when the agreement was made between Rutherford and Morton, but it was in the fall of 1855. The whole of the conversation that I heard was, that Rutherford was to have the money at twelve per cent, per annum, he furnishing Morton twelve cords of wood per year in addition to the interest money agreed on. George Taylor, who was also in Rutherford's employment, was in company with us, chopping wood a little way off; but whether he heard the conversation or not I am unable to say. Rutherford was with us chopping wood when Morton came up. Morton said, ‘You want some money?’ Rutherford said he did. Morton said, “ You can have it, but you must pay me more than twelve per cent, for it; you must let me have some wood in addition.’ Rutherford said ‘How much ?’ Morton said he thought it would take about twelve cords a year to supply his family. Rutherford said it was pretty tough, but he must have the money, and he agreed to the terms.” — Isaac S. Brown (whose deposition was taken in California) deposed as follows: “ To the best of my recollection, and as appears from my account book, which I have here, on or about the 11th of August, 1855, I drew a promissory note which Douglass Rutherford executed and delivered to the plaintiff, together with a mortgage on the lands on which the defendant resided at that time. I think I drew the note and mortgage in my office in Cambridge, at the suggestion of the plaintiff and Douglass Rutherford. Whether it was signed, sealed and delivered at my law office or at the residence of the defendant, I do not really remember, but my best recollection of that is, that I drew them and went to the house of defendant to have the mortgage signed and to take acknowledgment. * * To the best of my recollection, the agreement was, that plaintiff was to pay to George Dow a certain balance due him from defendant, and take a mortgage on defendant’s land; and whilst talking on the subject plaintiff said he did not like to let money for less than twenty five per cent., but as the law was then so severe on usury, be did not want to taint bis mortgage with usnry, and would not put into the papers any more interest than the law allowed. * * To the best of my recollection the plaintiff at that time told the defendant that if he would give him twelve cords of wood yearly, and deliver it at. his house, he should have the money at twelve per cent, per an-num, to which Rutherford agreed, and I drew the note and mortgage, which defendant executed. * * To the best of my recollection this conversation took place just previous to my drawing the papers, when plaintiff and Douglass Rutherford were present. Defendant’s wife was not present that I recollect, nor do I recollect that any one else was there; there might have been for aught I know. * * I know of the defendant drawing and piling wood at plaintiff’s house, one or two winters at least, subsequent to the execution of the note and mortgage — I think in 1857, 1858 and 1859; bnt how much each winter I do not know. It made quite a long pile. * * I have never heard plaintiff state the bargain or admit anything about the agreement since, that I now recollect, except a passing remark that defendant owed him some wood, and was to deliver it at his house. A long time has elapsed since the transaction, and my recollection is not very clear on the subject, nor should I have remembered so much as I have, had it not been impressed on my mind by knowing the fact that defendant was a shrewd money shaver, and took all the advantage of the law he could in loaning money. I have no interest in this suit, nor have I any bias or prejudice against either of the parties.” J. S. Townsend, for the defendant, testified: “In 1855 I resided in Cambridge, across the street from plaintiff, and have resided there ever since. Saw defendant draw cord wood to plaintiff’s house in the winters of 1856, 1857 and 1858. Heard plaintiff say he had about twenty cords one year. Defendant drew from twelve to twenty cords each winter.” The plaintiff then read in evidence the deposition of one Mariah Lunderville, which was in substance as follows: “I have known the parties of this suit eight or nine years. Knew them at Cambridge, in this state. Resided there in 1858. Heard Douglass Rutherford say that plaintiff had never charged him more than twelve per cent, for borrowed money. This was at. his own house, July 6, 1858. Mrs. George Dow was present, also Mrs. Rutherford and myself. Mrs. Dow asked defendant what rate of interest he was paying the plaintiff, and he said twelve per cent., and that plaintiff had never charged him more than that. I was knowing to Mrs. Rutherford getting money of the plaintiff for which she was to pay him in wood, to be delivered at the house sometime in January, 1857.” The plaintiff was recalled as a witness in his own behalf, and said: “ I moved to Cambridge in Dane county, from Illinois, in March, 1855. I was visiting my brother who resides near Cambridge, in January, 1855. While there my brother spoke to me about lending his neighbor, Rutherford, some money. He told me that his farm was likely to be sold unless he could borrow some money; that it was the old Judge Dow farm, aud good security. Rutherford came to brother’s house the same day or the next, and told me that he owed George Dow somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,500 ; that about $1,200 of it came due about the 10th ■ of August next following; that he wanted to borrow money enough to make that payment in August, and give a mortgage subject to the balance due Dow. I told him my brother had spoken to me about his case, and I could let him have it. He asked me what rate of interest I charged. I told him twelve per cent. He then asked me if he could rely on getting the money at the time agreed upon, and I told him he could if everything was all right as he had stated. There was not one word said about his delivering me any wood in addition to the twelve per cent, interest, then or at any other time. I do not recollect of ever talking again with Rutherford about this contract until the 10th of August, 1855, in Cambridge, when his brother Joseph was with him. I asked him if he knew that was the day on which he was to receive that money, and he said no. I told him it was ready, and had been. He said he would go and see Dow, and have the business done immediately. He came to my house shortly afterwards, the same day, and told me Dow would not receive the money, and requested me to keep the money until Dow would take it, and he would pay me interest from that date until Dow would take it. The next day I met Dow and Mr. Boyington going towards Brown’s office. Dow said to me, “ Are you going to pay me some money for Mr. Rutherford ? ” I said no, but that I had money I was going to lend him, for which he was going to give me security on his farm, and whenever he did that, the money was ready. Dow told me he would like the money that day — he could use it. I then turned and went with them to Brown’s office. They did not go in. I found Brown there. Asked him if he was busy, and told him if he would walk down to Rutherford's with me, he would get a chance to draw some writings. He said he would. I told him to take a blank mortgage with him, which he did, and Brown and myself went directly to Rutherford's house; found him in his house, and his family and George Taylor and wife were about the house. I told Rutherford that Dow was ready to receive the money, and that he had better get his deed to make his mortgage by, which he did, and Brown sat down to the table and drew the mortgage and note for $1,260, which were then and there executed by Rutherford and his wife. I paid that $1,260 as follows: About the 1st of j^jpril, 1855, at Rutherford's request, I had bought of Dow a note made by Rutherford, fór $300 and interest, which I then held. I also had a note of his, bought of Stag, which I think was about $50, but have no memorandum: $8.80 I had paid to Plumb, of Lake Mills, for fruit trees. The balance of the $1,260 I paid to Rutherford in cash or drafts, afterwards on that day, at my house. I never paid any money to Dow for Rutherford, except the $300 note referred to and about $601 paid a number of years afterwards. I gave Rutherford at the time a statement of tbe items composing tbe $1,260,but have no copy. I never bad a note against Rutherford in wbicb E. Morton was interested, for $336 or any other amount. I had no note against him for $161.20. I never paid $90 cash to Dow. I never received a stick of wood as additional interest on tbe note and mortgage, and tbe thing never was mentioned by either party. I sold a stove to Rutherford in October, 1855, for $7, to be paid for in wood at $1.50 per cord. This whs paid for in wood in tbe winter of 1856-56, and afterwards, during tbe same winter, I bought eight cords more at tbe same price, and paid Rutherford for it in cash at tbe time as officer of tbe school district board. I bought of him ten cords more tbe same winter at $1.50 per cord, wbicb I paid for as treasurer of said district, and bave tbe order which I paid. [Tbe order was here produced, but is not inserted in tbe printed case; and tbe original bill of exceptions is no longer found on the files of this court.] In 1856 and 1857 I bought ten cords more at $2 per cord, for cash — Rutherford and H. H. Potter giving me a joint note for $20, payable in wood at $2 per cord that winter; and at tbe same time I advanced Rutherford about $100 to bear bis expenses to California, for which be and Potter gave another joint note of $88.96, due in a year. This was all tbe wood I bought that year of Rutherford. These notes for wood and money were given for tbe money advanced by me to Rutherford as above stated. In 1857, while Rutherford was in California, bis wife wanted me to let her bave some goods at tbe store where I was selling goods on administrator’s sale. I let her bave goods and money — I think eight or nine dollars — and told her she could pay it in wood. When Rutherford returned in 1857, I told him what I bad done, and be said it was all right, and that fall or winter paid for the same in wood. In 1857 I also bad bought and held five notes against Rutherford, amounting to $119.00. [Witness describes the several notes.] What wood he delivered me in 1857 and 1858 was paid for by the notes; but I do not recollect and have no memorandum of tbe amount of wood delivered in those two years, except the $20 note given for wood, as I have already stated. In the winter of 1855-6, I saw H. H. Potter and Rutherford passing my house in Cambridge, when I notified Rutherford to call and get his money for the wood he had drawn me, or I should spend it, or words to that effect. I paid Mr. Rutherford for every stick of wood he ever drew to my house or for me, and he never agreed to draw any wood as extra interest on the note and mortgage, and it never was talked so.” — George Dow, for plaintiff, testified: “ In 1855 I held notes and mortgages against the defendant to the amount of about $2,300. Morton paid a note of $300. [Two notes produced and shown witness, one for $300, and the other for $666.66.] These are the notes held by me against Rutherford, secured by mortgage. The $300 note was paid me by Morton in the last of March, 1855. Don’t recollect that Morton paid anything except that note prior to August 11, 1855. All these notes were not paid until a year or two ago. On the 11th of August, 1855, I saw plaintiff and Rutherford going out of Brown’s office towards Rutherford's house; think Brown had paper in his hand. Rutherford told me early in the spring of 1855, prior to the payment of the $300 note by Morton, that he was going to have some money of the plaintiff. I had conversation with him in 1857 or 1858 about the interest he was paying Morton for money. I asked him if Morton was taking more than twelve per cent, interest, and he said no. He seemed to have more confidence in Morton than in me. I asked him how much interest he paid Morton, and he said twelve per cent. My papers were drawing ten per cent, interest, and Morton offered to buy these papers of me if I would make it twelve per cent, interest. I don’t know who paid me the indorsements on the note of $666.66, made August 10th and 11th respectively, for $90 and $560.-37.” — H. H. Potter, for plaintiff, testified: “ I was in the employ of the defendant in 1855. Knew that he had a stove of plaintiff, for which he was to pay $7 in wood. • I drew the wood, by Rutherford's direction, at $1.50 per cord. Think I drew eight to twelve cords, same season, after paying for the stove. Heard plaintiff tell defendant to call and get money for wood or he would spend it. I had a conversation with Rutherford in 1856, in regard to the interest he was paying Morton. He said he was paying him twelve per cent. I drew ten cords of wood to plaintiff to pay the $20 note given by Rutherford and indorsed by me in the winter of 1856-7. I also drew six cords additional on my own account, for which plaintiff paid me $12.” — E. Morton, for the plaintiff, testified: “lama brother of the plaintiff, and reside in Cambridge. He came to visit me in January, 1855. I had a conversation with the defendant during that month about having money from him. I told defendant of my brother, and he came to see him. He said Dow had a mortgage on his farm due August 10, 1855, and he wanted money at that time. Plaintiff said he might rely on having the money, if everything was as he represented. Rutherford asked how much interest he would charge ; plaintiff said twelve per cent., with security on land. Rutherford said he would like about $1,200 — that Dow had part of his land, and he was afraid he would get the rest. Nothing was said about wood.” — William D. Potter, of the firm of Potter & Stag, testified- that they had a note against the defendant for $39, which they sold to the plaintiff in the spring of 1855, and that it was not “ sold at a shave.” — The defendant introduced in evidence two notes executed by him to George Dow; one of which was for $300, dated Dec. 19, 1854, payable in three months from date, with interest at twelve per cent, from August 10th, 1854; the other was for $666.66, dated Dec. 17th, 1854, payable August 10th, 1855, with interest at twelve per cent, from August 10, 1854. Both notes were paid and cancelled, and it appears that upon the second there were indorsed two payments, of $90 and $560.37, made ^ respectively on the 10th and 11th of August, 1855. George JDow testified, for the defendant, that those indorse- ments were made by him at tbeir dates, and that tbe $90 were paid by tbe plaintiff. Douglass Rutherford, being recalled, testified “that one of tbe notes for wood executed to plaintiff by himself and Potter was not given for money loaned him, but to secure the payment of wood agreed to be paid for the loan of money mentioned in tbe note and mortgage in this case.” — Mr. Vanhousen, for tbe defendant, testified that in tbe summer of 1855 be saw tbe plaintiff and defendant together in tbe office of Mr. Brown, and that Brown was with them and busy writing: but witness could not tell tbe month nor what paper be was drawing.
The circuit court found, in substance, that the allegations of tbe complaint were true; that there was then due tbe plaintiff upon tbe note described in tbe complaint $1611.54; and that tbe facts alleged in tbe answer as a defense were wholly unproven. Judgment according to tbe prayer of tbe complaint; from which tbe defendants appealed.
Daos & Hall, for appellants:
Tbe note in suit, if usurious, is absolutely void. Sec. 4, cb. 172, Laws of 1851. The repeal of this section by ch. 55, Laws of 1856, if in force at tbe commencement of this action, would not cut off tbe defense. Gorsuth v. Butterfield, 2 Wis., 237. But tbe law of 1856 was repealed, and said sec. 4 re-enacted, by ch. 160, Laws of 1859, so that tbe statute was tbe same when this suit was commenced as when tbe note was made. Simonton v. Tail, 11 Wis., 90. 2. An oral promise, separate from the note, to pay more than twelve per cent, made tbe note usurious; and it is immaterial whether the sum or thing promised has been paid or not. 2 Parsons on Con., 390 ; Gill-more v. Woolcoch, 13 Wis., 589 ; Mctcomber v. Dunham, 8 Wend., 550 ; Hammond v. Hopping, 13 id., 505.
K S. Murphy, for respondent:
1. Usury is an unconscionable defense, and is not to be favored, and must be proved as laid beyond any reasonable doubt. Beach v. Fulton Bank, 3 Wend., 587; 1 Paige, 429. 2. By tbe law of 1851, a contract to receive a greater rate of interest than 12 per cent., unless embodied in tbe written.instrument, did not avoid it. It is only when tbe excéss’of interest is secured “ thereupon or thereby,” that tbe note is avoided. Tbe law is severely penal, and should be strictly construed. Curtis v. Leavitt, 15 N. Y., 151. 3. Tbe law of 1851 bad been repealed before tbe commencement of this action. Laws of 1856, cb. 55. This repeal, without any saving clause, took away tbe right to interpose tbe defense. 35 Barb., 599 ; Key v. Goodwin, 4 Moore and Payne, 341; Butler v. Palmer, 1 Hill, 334; Central Barde v. Empire Stone Dressing Co., 26 Barb., 23, 36 ; Curtis v. Leavitt, 15 N. Y.. 9, 85, 151-154; The People v. Livingston, 6 Wend., 526.

Opinion:
By the Court,
Cole, J.
However unconscionable tbe defense of usury may be in the light of morals and good conscience, yet it is very clear that courts have no duty but to enforce it when clearly established, so long as prohibitory laws upon tbe subject are enacted by tbe legislature. In this case, if the contract set forth in the answer was really made as therein stated, there cannot be a particle of doubt but it was usurious. The counsel for the respondent argues that because the contract to receive a greater rate of interest than 12 per cent, was not embodied in tbe note and mortgage, therefore it does not fall within tbe prohibition of the usury law of 1851. But this is a mistake, and contrary to the construction which we have uniformly placed upon that statute. That law unquestionably prohibits a loan of money for a greater rate of interest than 12 per cent., and avoids tbe entire contract where more than that rate is reserved and agreed to be paid. Courts have uniformly held that it was entirely immaterial in what manner or under what pretense the usury is taken. From the necessity of the case they disregard tbe form and examine into tbe real nature and substance of tbe transaction. We have no idea that tbe statute renders only those usurious contracts void where, the usury appears upon the face of the instrument. It is leveled at all usurious contracts, and renders them void. And it is quite immaterial that a portion of the contract is evidenced by a note and mortgage bearing a rate of interest the parties were permitted to contract for, if there is in addition a separate oral promise to pay usurious interest. The law condemns the whole transaction, and visits it with the penalties of usury. So that if we are satisfied from the testimony that the real contract was, that the borrower should pay the principal sum mentioned in the note with 12 per cent, interest from date until paid, and in addition thereto was to deliver the lender twelve cords of fire-wood each year until the maturity of the note, and that these were the conditions of the loan, there can be no doubt but the contract was usurious and rendered void by the law just cited. Does then the evidence show that such was the real agreeement and contract of the parties in respect to the loan ? This question we think must be answered in the affirmative. It is true that there is something of a conflict upon the point, but to our minds the decided weight of testimony is in support of the answer. The respondent swears that he was to receive only 12 per cent, interest for the use of his money, and that there was no understanding or agreement that he was to receive in addition wood or anything else as a consideration for making the loan. There are some improbabilities about his statements, especially those relating to what occurred on the 10th and 11th of August, when the transaction was finally consummated, which tend to shake the credibility of his testimony. And it is but fair to add that his testimony derives some support from that of several other witnesses, who swear to declarations or admissions of the appellant that he was to pay only 12 per cent, interest for the use of the money. But this species of evidence is always very unreliable, for the most obvious reasons. On the other hand, the appellant swears positively that the agreement was, that in addition to the 12 per cent, interest stipulated in the note, he was also to pay twelve cords of fire-wood per annum till tbe maturity of the note. His testimony as detailed in the bill of exceptions will bear scrutiny quite as well as that of the respondent. But moreover he is sustained by the direct and positive evidence of Martin and Brown, who swear as to what the contract was. They are disinterested and impartial parties, so far as we can discover, and speak in regard .to facts of which they profess to have been personally cognizant. It is not possible for them to have been mistaken as to the terms of the agreement, and what rate of interest the respondent exacted for the use of his money. The nature of their testimony is such that it must either be accepted as the most direct and satisfactory of human testimony, or must be utterly rejected as totally false. We see nothing in the case which authorizes the inference that these witnesses were guilty of peijury. We are disposed to accept their statements as being substantially correct, particularly as there are no opposing circumstances which overcome or counterbalance them.
Subsequent legislation is relied on to show that the defense of usury is not available. By the law in force at the time the contract was made, it was usurious and void. To the same effect was the law when this suit was commenced. And by the law of 1856, a usurious contract was declared valid and effectual only to secure the repayment of the principal sum loaned. But how this latter enactment, even if it attempted it, could render valid an antecedent contract which was void, we do not comprehend. But the law of 1856, which has been abrogated, can have no bearing upon the question. The defense of usury is doubtless available, and we are constrained to say that it is fully established by the evidence in the cause.
The judgment of the circuit court must be reversed, and the cause remanded with directions to enter judgment for the appellant, declaring the note and mortgage set forth -in the complaint void on the ground of usury.