Wood v. Land

Ajfeirmanoe — Case Adjudged. — Where, in an action upon a promissory-note, the answer set up the defence of a partial, failure of consideration ; which was denied by the reply ; and, at the trial, plaintiff offered no testimony whatever, but defendant offered evidence tending to establish the allegations of his answer; and no declarations of law were asked or given; and the court found for the plaintiff. Held, that there is nothing for this court to review. That, in the absence of declarations of law, asked or given, it cannot say that the court found against the defendant on the law or the facts; since it will not review the finding of the court, sitting as a jury, upon the facts, and especially when the evidence is not before it, as in this case.

Error to Johnson Circuit Court, Hon. Noah M. Givan, Judge. Statement of case by the court. This was an action on a promissory note.' The an* swer set up the defence of a partial failure of consideration. The reply denied the new matter of the answer. The case was tried by the court sitting as a jury. . The bill of exceptions shows that “the defendant offered evidence tending to establish all the allegations of his answer. The plaintiff offered no testimony whatever.” No declarations of law were asked or given. The court found the issues for the plaintiff and rendered judgment accordingly. I. The agreement pleaded and proved went to show a partial failure of the consideration of the nóte, and this could be done between the maker and the 'payee. Ins. Co. v. Geraldin, 31 Mo. 30 ; Klein v. Keys, 17 Mo. 326. II. Defendant got no title to the bank stock. He was a mere trustee for the bank; and to the extent of the value of the stock the note was without consideration. Jones v. Shaver, 6 Mo. 642; Shepherd v. Jenkins, 73 Mo. 510. III. There was no quid pro quo; the defence is like the case of a note given for a wagering contract, or the price of a horse that was never delivered. See cases cited under paragraph I, this brief. IY. No facts constituting any estoppel were pleaded or relied on in the court below, and ought not to be heard here. I. The defence set up in the answer is an attempt to vary the written terms of the note sued on, by parol testimony. Smith v. Thomas, 29 Mo. 307; Jones v. Shaw, 67 Mo. 667; Spring v. Lovett, 11 Pick. 416 ; Wright v. Morse, 9 Gray (Mass.) 337; Davis v. Randall, 115 Mass. 547. II. Defendant having voluntarily held himself out to the world as the apparent owner of the stock, he is estopped as against the creditors of the bank from denying his title, and the assignee is merely the representative of the creditors. Griswold v. Seligman, 72 Mo. 110 Erskine v. Leowenstein, 82 Mo. 301.