Court Opinion

ID: 6164119
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-02-05 18:27:43.685798+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:55:33.691691
License: Public Domain

Clement, C. J.
The plaintiffs are the administrators of the estate of Michael Morriss, who died in this city on October 11, 1889. The defendant Mary Louisa Emmens had in her possession at the time of his death a deposit book in the Seamen’s Bank for Savings, which account was opened by the said Michael Morriss; and on the book was indorsed an assignment to her by Morriss of the balance in the bank,—$2,702.59. By the by-laws -of the bank it was provided that drafts could only be paid on the production of the book. The plaintiffs brought this action against Miss Emmens and the bank, and alleged that the assignment was obtained by undue influence, or was a forgery, and asked judgment that the assignment be canceled, and that they recover of the bank the balance on deposit. The •court at special term found that Morriss mechanically signed the instrument which was written on the pass-book, but that lie was unconscious of the mature of the act, and rendered judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. The counsel for the appellant insists that the motion to dismiss the case should have been granted. The plaintiffs could not draw the money unless they produced the book, which, at the commencement of the action, was in the *361possession of Miss Emmens. They had not seen the assignment, and only knew that she had attempted to draw the money, and had failed. They believed that any draft which was held by the defendant was a forgery, or was obtained by undue influence, and, with such facts as they had, commenced the action. It was disclosed on the trial that Morriss had affixed his signature to an assignment of the fund. An action in equity to cancel the assignment was the proper remedy. Morriss, if he had lived, could have maintained such an action, and the plaintiffs are his personal representatives, and stand in his place. The "plaintiffs offered no proofs and rested, and a second motion to dismiss was made, which was denied. If the defendant had not offered testimony thereafter it might be argued that the denial of the motion would have been error, but the case was then tried on the merits. Certain admitted facts appeared, which shifted the burden •of proof in the action to the defendant. Morriss was, at the time of his death, about 80 years of age, and seven days prior to the date when he ■signed over the deposit had received the sacrament of extreme unction which is administered to dying persons of the Roman Catholic church, of which he was a member. When he executed the paper his mind was weak, as appears from the testimony of Miss Emmens and her attorney. He did not recognize the attorney when he went into the room, though he had seen him .20 times before. He was confused, and thought that the attorney wanted him to make a will. On the conceded facts, the burden of proof was on the defendant to show that there was no undue influence. Green v. Roworth, 113 N. Y. 462, 21 N. E. Rep. 165, and cases there cited. We have carefully reviewed the ease, and conclude that the evidence fully justifies the finding of fact. It appears by the testimony of Dr. Anderson, who was called by the defendant, that he saw Morriss on October 7th, and that he was then without the conveniences of a sick man, though the defendant lived in the •same house, and though he had given her nearly $4,000 two days before. Morriss was at the point of death for at least a week before the date of the Alleged gift, and was incapable of making a gift during that time, except •on affirmative proof that there was no undue influence, and that the transaction was fair. The questions involved are purely of fact, and the decision •at special term must stand. Judgment affirmed, with costs.