Court Opinion

ID: 5142503
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-01 17:20:04.757686+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:24:37.174064
License: Public Domain

Springer, C. J.
(after stating the facts.) The errors assigned in this case will be considered in detail.
The first error assigned is to the effect that the court erred in allowing defendants’ counsel to interrogate witness Oziah, on cross examination, as to matters not brought out in the direct examination, unless defendant first make Oziah his own witness, and that the court erred in stating to the jury that defendant was not bound by such testimony. It is the rule in most of the states of this country that the cross-examination must be limited to the matters stated in the examination in chief, and, if the party cross-examining inquires as to new matter, he makes the witness his own. Steph. Dig. Ev. p. 223 note 1, and authorities there cited. It is not always clear as to what is legitimate cross-examination, and what relates only to new matter. The examination of Oziah in chief related to the fact that he was in business at Purcell, the identification of the bill of sale to Mrs. Dorrance, to which his signature was attached, and the value of the stock of goods transferred by it. On cross-examination the witness was asked: “How much money did you put into that business? Answer. $500.” The next question put was: “Where did you get it?” To this question counsel for appellant objected on the ground that it was not cross-examination of anything upon which the witness was interrogated. In view of the fact that the transfer of the stock of goods by witness to his sister was attacked as fraudulent by appellees, and that the witness was evidently hostile to them, we are of the opinion that the question put was proper cross-examina*480tion, that appellees bad the right to put the question., and that they were not bound by the answers that the witness gave. The appellees had a right to probe the transaction to the bottom, and to bring to light every fact relating to it. It was especially proper to subject the witness Oziah to a rigid cross-examination as to everything which would throw light upon the transaction. The question did not relate to new matter, but to the very subject-matter of which the witness, in his examination in chief, testified, namely, to the sale of the stock of goods.
Cross examination.
Statements of attorney.
The second assignment of error is as follows: “The court erred in admitting in evidence the testimony of J. W. Hocker in the cross-examination as to his knowledge of the financial condition of Oziah, and as to whether or not witness made inquiry as to the financial condition of Oziah, and as to his solvency. Mr. Hocker was the attorney of appellant, and was present as such when the sale of the stock of goods took place. Mrs. Dorrance, the appellant, testifies that Mr. Hocker knew what the stock of goods amounted to, and that she “took his advice.” In answer to the question, “Did Mr. Hocker help you to make the trade?” she answered, “Yes, sir. ” She and her attorney were together at the time, and he was advising her and helping her. She was bound by his statements and admissions in the line of his duties, and within the scope of his general authority as her attorney. Steph.Dig. Ev. p. 46; 1 Greenl. Ev. § 186.
The third assignment of error is to the effect that ‘ ‘the court erred in admitting in evidence the testimony oí defendant Halsell relating to conversations had between witness and Oziah not in the presence of Mrs. Dorrance, the plaintiff herein. ’ ’ The question put to witness Halsell tc which the objection was made and the exception taken was, “What did Oziah say about paying you this debt?” His answer was to the effect that Oziah said that- he started his *481business “on wind;’’ that he did not have a cent, and would not pay a cent. This statement was made just after the sale to Mrs. Dorrance. The sale had just been announced. The witness was present, trying to secure his own debt, and was trying to find out what had been done as to his claim,— whether it had been secured or not. Mrs. Dorrance ha,d told witness she did not know anything about his claim, and that he must look to Oziah for payment. Then the question came, ‘ ‘What did Oziah say about paying you this debt? ’ ’ Mrs. Dorrance having referred the witness Halsell, who was a creditor seeking payment of his debt, to look to Oziah, it was competent to ask him what he said about the payment. She was not prejudiced in the least by his answer. Mr. Easton, who was Oziah’s clerk in his store, was called as a witness for the defendants, and testified that Mrs. Dorrance ’ told Mr. Hocker, her attorney, while the papers were being drawn up, that he had better hurry up and make the bill of sale; that Mr. Halsell was trying to fix his business up with Mr. Oziah. She knew, evidently, that her brother was indebted to Mr. Halsell, and she was trying to get possession of the stock of goods, so as to defeat Halsell’s claim. Oziah’s statements at the time were in reality a part of the res gestee. They were all consulting and acting together, and had not separated when the statement to which exception was taken was made.
Res Gestae.
statements prior to sale.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth assignments of error, which relate to the testimony of Eaton, William, and Josh Clardy, come under the rule stated above in the consideration of the third assignment. Statements made by Oziah to these witnesses, prior to the time of the sale to Mrs. Dor-rance, as to his efforts to sell his stock of goods, his reasons therefor, and his liabilities, could not prejudice her rights, except in so far as they might serve the purpose of explaining her acts and intentions in the matter.
instruction - Refusal not error.
The seventh assignment of error is to the effect that the court refused to submit to the jury the instruction set forth in the exception. The exception would have been well taken, had not the court given instruction No. 5, which fully covers the ground. It is not error to refuse an instruction when the court has already instructed the jury fully to the same purport in another instruction. Counsel for appellant insist that the charge of the court, taken as a whole, did not , express the law as asked for in his instruction. Learned counsel may be able to see some difference in the legal principle as stated in the two propositions, but we are quite certain that the jury must have regarded both as embodying the same meaning. The substantial point in both instructions was that fraud was never to be presumed, and that the burden of proving it was on the party that alleged it. This was the idea that both propositions clearly set forth, and, the court having given one instruction, it was not error to refuse the other.
The other assignments of error relate to the giving of the following instructions by the trial court: “(6) The plaintiff, Mrs. Dorrance, had the right at the time to purchase from her brother,j Oziah, the property, to protect herself on any bona fide claim which she held against him, or upon which she was security; and she would have the right to do that though he was insolvent at the time, and was seeking even to defraud his creditors, provided she was not at the time a party to a combination with him, and aiding him in his efforts to defraud his creditors. (7) If, therefore, she! knew he was insolvent, or in failing circumstances, and knew I of his purpose to defraud his creditors, and participated in 8 the transaction, she could not recover in this case. Again, | if she knew of his purpose to defraud his creditors, and his condition, or if she had notice of such facts and circumstances in regard to his business and financial standing and condition, and his purpose, as would put an ordinarily prudent person *483R upon inquiry, she would be charged with a knowledge of all ■ the facts which she could ascertain by inquiry; and if the jury should believe from all the facts and circumstances that such was his purpose, and the facts and circumstances attending and surrounding the transaction were sufficient to put a person of ordinary prudence upon inquiry, then she ! could not recover in this case, and you will find for the defendants. (8) To make void a sale by a failing debtor to a creditor, actual notice to the creditor of the fraudulent intent of the vendor is not necessary, if the facts and circumstances within his knowledge are sufficient to put a person of common sagacity upon inquiry, and the use of reasonable diligence would lead to discovery of the fraudulent purposes of the vendor; and, if he fails to make inquiry, he will be , charged with notice of the fraudulent intent. (9) No pur- ‘ purchaser thus put upon inquiry has the right to remain willfully ignorant of the facts within reach. It is not sufficient for his protection to show that he was a purchaser for value. He must also be a bona fide purchaser, a purchaser in good faith, a purchaser without notice of the fraudulent intention on the part of the party from whom he purchases. (10) By aiding a debtor' to convert his property into money or promissory notes, which can be easily concealed from the creditors and placed beyond their reach, with notice, actual or constructive, that he is doing so to defraud his creditors, the person so purchasing participates in the fraud of the debtor, by assisting him in carrying out his fraudulent purpose. (11) A creditor may purchase goods from an insolvent or failing debtor in satisfaction of his debt, and it matters not whether or not he knew of the fraudulent intent of the debtor as to other creditors, so the purchasing creditor does not aid him in defeating his other creditors; but the purchasing creditor must have a bona fide debt, and must purchase the goods at a fair price, and to the extent only, and in satisfaction, of his debt, (12) Now, applying the in*484structions bore given in charge to the jury to the facts in this case, if you should find from the evidence that the transaction between Mrs. Dorrance and her brother Oziah, was fraudulent, and that she knew of hisfraudulent purpose, or had knowledge of facts and circumstances sufficient to put a person of common sagacity and prudence upon inquiry, it would be your duty to find for the defendant. If, on the contrary, you conclude from the evidence that the brother was guilty of no fraud, or that, if he was guilty of fraud; the plaintiff, Mrs. Dorrance, had no knowledge of his fraud, or no means of knowing of the existence of such fraud as suggested above, it would be your duty to find for the plaintiff. ” No exception was taken to the first instruction above quoted (No. 6) of the series given by the court. It is set forth in order to explain the instructions Nos. 10 and 11, which were given, and to which exceptions were taken. The exception to instruction No. 7 began with the words: “Or if she had notice of such facts and circumstances in regard to his business and financial standing and condition, and his purpose, as would put an ordinarily jxrudent man upon inquiry, she would be charged with knowledge of all the facts which she could ascertain by inquiry, ’ ’ etc. There was no error in the giving of this instruction. It frequently happens that knowledge of this kind can only be proven by facts which would put an ordinarily prudent person upon inquiry.
Notice
It seems that there were two trials of this case in the court below. In the first trial the court instructed the jury, among other matters, as follows: “A creditor has the right to' purchase the goods of his debtor, in satisfaction of his debt; and, if necessary or -convenient to effect the object, may advance cash to the debtor for balance in value, without any obligation to see to the application of the cash to the debts of others; and the fact that one who buys goods to save abona fide debt due'him from the seller knows the latter’s fraudulent intent as to other creditors does not invali*485ate the sale, if he pays a fair price, and buys only enough > satisfy his debt, unless necessity compels a purchase of tore. ’ ’ At the first trial, with that instruction of the court, te jury found for the plaintiff. The court granted a new ial, and at the second trial the court refused the instruet>n just quoted, and gave in lieu thereof instructions Nos. 10 id 11 of the series above quoted. The result of the sec-id. trial was a verdict for the defendants. It will thus be en that the case turned upon the question as to whether .e creditor can purchase goods of the failing debtor or to e extent only of his own claim, and in satisfaction only of s own debt, or whether he may purchase beyond his own :bt, if necessity compels such purchase. If the vend- and vendee may determine whether the purchase shall .brace more than the amount of the debt, they will al-ys contrive some way to create the necessity. We are of > opinion that the weight of the authorities sustains the .nciple announced in the court’s instruction No. 11 given in s second trial of the case. A creditor who buys goods from ailing debtor in payment of his indebtedness must not aid debtor in defrauding his other creditors. He must have bona fide debt, must purchase the goods at a fair price, |d he must purchase only to the extent that'will satisfy his n debt. If part of the consideration is paid in cash, the ount of cash paid can easily be concealed from his other editors, and placed beyond their reach. The purchasing ditor would thus assist the failing debtor in carrying out fraudulent purpose. As stated above, the weight of the [horities seems to sustain this position. The counsel for ¡endants cite the following in their brief in its support: Harris vs Russel, 93 Ala. 59, 9 South 541; Sanger vs Colt, 84 Tex. 668, 19 S. W. 863; Black vs Vaughan, 70 Tex. 7 S. W. 604; Smit vs Saddlery Co., 2 Mo App. Rep’r, Hanchett vs Goetz, 25 Ill. App. 445; Allen vs Stingel, Mich. 195, 54 N. W. 880; Roeben vs Bowe, 26 Hun. 554; *486Hart vs Bandy, 39 W. Va. 644, 20 S. E. 665; Oppenheimer vs Halff, 68 Tex, 409, 4 S. W. 562; Seger’s Sons vs Thomas Bros., 107 Mo. 635, 18 S. W. 33. In support of the doctrit announced in the instruction which the court refused, cou: sel for plaintiff cites the following cases: Hiner vs Hawkin 59 Ark. 303, 27 S. W. 65; Wood vs Keith, 60 Ark. 425, 30 W. 756; Rice vs Wood (Ark.) 33 S. W. 636; Gist vs Barra 42 Ark. 521; Reehling vs Byers, 94 Pa. St. 316; Beurman Van Buren, 44 Mich. 496, 7 N. W. 67; Covanhovan vs Hai¡ 21 Pa. St. 495; Bear’s Estate, 60 Pa. St. 430; Huiskamp Wagon Co., 121 U. S. 310, 7 Sup. Ct. 899; Crawford vs Ne; 144 U. S. 585, 12 Sup. Ct. 759; Bamberger vs Schoolfier 160 U. S. 149, 16 Sup. Ct. 225; Wood vs Castlebury (Tex. Civ. App. ) 34 S. W. 653; Armstrong Co. vs Elbert (Tex. Civ. App.) 36 S. W. 139; State vs Mason, 112 Mo. 374, 20 S 629. We have thus cited all the authorities presented the counsel on either side on this question. We do not ct] cede the proposition that all the authorities are in point, fact, many of them do not support wholly the contention counsel.
Oreditor must not aid debtor to defraud.
*486It is not necessary to refer to the other assignments error. The important points in the case have been sufffl ently considered. We can see no reversible error in any! the instructions or in any of the rulings of the trial coij The judgment of the court is therefore affirmed.
Clayton, Thomas and Townsend, JJ., concur.