First National Bank of Racine v. Case

Cole, C. J.

A jury was waived in this case, and the cause was tried by the circuit court. That court decided, in effect, that the defendant was liable to the plaintiff upon the original loan of December 21, 1878, and that this liability continued when the note in suit was given. The court also held that the original loan had never been paid, but had been extended from time to time by renewal notes, taken by the plaintiff, which were signed “ Fish Bros. & Co., Agents,” or “ Fish Bros. & Co.” No question is made as to the liability of the defendant upon the original loan. His counsel frankly admit that he was personally responsible for that debt, and such was undoubtedly the fact. But they claim that the evidence clearly shows that this debt was satisfied and discharged by some one of the renewal notes which the evidence shows was given. The learned counsel present quite an array of facts or reasons to sustain that contention.

It would be unprofitable to discuss at length the evidence upon which such a conclusion is based. It will be borne in mind that this court refuses to disturb the findings of the trial court on questions of fact, unless they are against the clear weight of testimony. This rule has been announced *507 so often that it has become trite. What, then, is the evidence which clearly shows that the original note of December 21,1878, has been paid and discharged? We believe it is not claimed that any of the renewal notes given prior to that dated March 9,1881, were delivered to and accepted by the plaintiff in payment or extinguishment of the original indebtedness of the defendant. Up to that time the loan had been continued on renewal notes of three and four months in the usual course of business. But when this last note was given it is said the facts proven lead irresistibly to the conclusion that it was taken by the - plaintiff in absolute payment of the note signed “ Fish Bros. & Co., Agents,” of November 6, 1880. The principal facts relied on to sustain this position are the commencement of the suit of Case v. Fish, to determine their respective rights in the business of manufacturing wagons at Racine, of all which the plaintiff had notice; the written notice of Mr. Case to the plaintiff and other creditors of that business, of December 18, 1880, revoking the agency of and refusing to be bound by any act or contract of Fish Bros. & Co.; the circular of Fish Bros. & Co. of December 21, 1880, to their creditors, including the plaintiff; the transfer by the plaintiff on its books of a small balance of the account of Fish Bros. & Co., agents, to a new account with Fish Bros. & Co., December 21, 1880; the confidence of the plaintiff in the pecuniary responsibility of Fish Bros. & Co., irrespective of and aside from any claim of Mr. Case in the business ; the cancellation and surrender to Fish Bros. & Co. of the note of November 6, 1880; the acceptance from Fish Bros. & Co. of renewal notes and cash payments of interest down to January 1, 1883; the change in the firm of Fish Bros. & Co., and the giving of new notes to the plaintiff in cancellation, on surrender, of old notes of the firm; and some other less important facts. -

It may be admitted that these facts, unexplained, would *508 tend with, more or less force to justify the inference which counsel seek to deduce from them; but, when considered with other testimony in the case, they can have no such effect as evidence. The correctness of this remark must be apparent, in view of the clear and decisive testimony of the officers of the bank who transacted the business with Fish Bros. & Co. The cashier and the president explain at length, and quite satisfactorily, the method of transacting the business of the bank, especially the way the original loan, or the note by which it was evidenced, was extended. They say the uniform custom was to give and receive renewal notes from time to time. The cashier says, in substance, that Fish Bros. & Go. would come to the bank when a note was due and say they wanted to renew, and would give a new note; and the old one would be stamped “ paid ” and handed to them. There were two methods of transacting’this business, but they amount essentially to the same thing. The debt, or original loan, was extended by renewal notes, and both the cashier and president say, most explicitly and positively, that there was no understanding or agreement whatever that any of the several notes should be received, or were in fact received, except as renewal notes; that the original loan was never paid, but was carried along from time to time.

This evidence is perfectly conclusive and decisive on this point, and shows that the plaintiff never accepted, in payment or satisfaction of the original’ loan or note, any one of the renewed notes. Consequently it is impossible to say, as it appears to us, that the original debt was extinguished by any or all of the transactions mentioned, unless we discredit entirely the testimony of the officers of the bank, which we certainly have no right to do upon this record. The fact that when a renewal note was given the old note was delivered to Fish Bros. & Co., stamped “ paid,” is explained. That was done according to the custom of the *509 bank, and to prevent the old note from being used again, not because the debt evidenced by the note was satisfied and discharged. In respect to the ■ other facts relied on to show payment, they are all explained so as to be quite consistent with the plaintiff’s contention that the original loan of December 21, 1818, had never been satisfied and discharged. It is true, Fish Bros. & Co. changed the way of signing the renewal notes after November 6,1880. It was natural they should do so, in view of the injunctional order of December 18,1880. They doubtless desired to avoid the appearance of violating the terms of that order.

But it is further said, after Mr. Case revoked the agency of Fish Bros. & Co., they had no right or authority to enter into new contracts which should bind him. It may well be that after such revocation they could not make him personally responsible on new contracts or obligations entered into about the management of this business. But in respect to loans which had already been made on his credit they might obtain extensions, though Mr. Oase would have the right at any time to pay such loans, notwithstanding the extensions. On the second appeal of Case v. Fish [ante, p. 475], this court held that until Mr. Case’s rights in the business were determined by the decision on the first appeal, Fish Bros. & Co. were in possession of the business and could conduct it for Mr. Case's benefit. They could doubtless pay off the debts of the concern, or make any arrangement for the extension of existing indebtedness which did not prejudice his rights.

Therefore, without further discussing the facts, we state our conclusion that upon the proofs we are not justified in reversing'the decision of the circuit court on the defense of payment. Of course, the onus was upon the defendant to show by- direct and positive proof that the plaintiff had agreed to receive some one of the renewed notes as a payment and discharge of the original loan. The surrender of *510 the old note upon a new one being given does not raise any presumption of the extinguishment of the debt, but an agreement must be shown that it should have that effect. •The defense of payment is attempted to be established here by facts and circumstances not conclusive in their probative force even when not met by countervailing evidence. But, in the light of other explanatory testimony, they have but little effect to prove the defense. They certainly fall far short of proving an agreement or understanding on the part of the bank that any renewed note should pay the debt. It was essential to show that such note was by agreement accepted as a satisfaction and discharge of the debt, to have that effect. This surely was not shown by any evidence in the case. In this state there is no presumption of payment where the creditor receives a note for a debt, but an express agreement must be shown. Paine v. Voorhees, 26 Wis. 522 ; Aultman & Co. v. Jett, 42 Wis. 488 ; Hœflinger v. Wells, 41 Wis. 628 .

We do not feel called upon to dwell upon the point that there was a novation or substitution of debtors in the case. It seems to us there is no evidence whatever to sustain that position. Upon the whole record we think the judgment is correct, and must be affirmed.

By the Court.— Judgment affirmed.