Hallowell v. Milne

The opinion of the court was delivered by Brewer, J.:

This was an action of- replevin for the possession of a wagon and team. The testimony disclosed these facts: One George W. Reedy occupied a farm of plaintiff in error as a tenant, and had in his possession this team and wagon. He took them to Missouri and there sold them to defendant in error. And the question presented was, as to Reedy’s title, and right to sell. So far as the team is concerned no point is made by counsel for plaintiff in error, further than that the verdict is against the evidence. But as to the wagon, he claims that an instruction given was erroneous. It appeared that the wagon was bought from one Snyder by Reedy; that in payment therefor Reedy gave his note, with Hallowell as security, and that this note had never been paid by Reedy. There was testimony tending to show that this was the entire extent of the transaction as between these three parties. There was also testimony tending to show that Hallowell declined to sign the note as surety until he was protected, and that by agreement between the three the title in the wagon was to pass to Hallowell and remain *67 in him until the note was paid by Reedy. Upon these facts, at the instance of plaintiff, the court gave this instruction:

“If the jury find that Geo. W. Reedy purchased the wagon in question of T. B. Snyder, and that defendant Hallowed was security for said Reedy to said Snyder for the payment of the purchase-money for said wagon, then they will find for plaintiff; and it can make no difference whether said Hallowed was to own said wagon until the same was paid for or not, provided said Reedy retained possession of said wagon.”

It also, at the instance of defendant, gave this instruction:

“If the jury find from the evidence that Reedy bought said wagon, and that Hallowed went on the note as security on condition that Reedy was to deliver the wagon to him to remain Hallowell’s property until Reedy paid said note, then said sale was only conditional, and the wagon remained Hallowell’s property until Reedy paid said note.”

The instruction first quoted plaintiff in error insists was erroneous ; and with this we are inclined to agree. By the mere signing the note as surety, of course Hallowed obtained no interest in or title to the property; and whether the note was paid or not, Reedy would have had full power to sell and pass a good title. But something more is involved here. By agreement the,title was to pass to Hallowed, (at least that is the assumption in the instruction,) and so remain until the price was paid. The consideration for such agreement was ample, and the power to make it unquestioned. The transaction is the same as though Hallowed had owned the property in the first place, and delivered it to Reedy upon an agreement that the title should pass to him when (and only when) he paid the price therefor. It is no more nor less than a conditional sale. The vital question in ad such cases is, the location of the title. Here it was located in Hallowed; and Reedy not having it, could not (Hallowed being guilty of no laches) transfer it to one, even though he were an innocent purchaser. We have had the question of conditional sales recently before us in the case of Sumner v. McFarlan, ( 15 Kas. 600 ,) and no further comment thereon is needed. See also Benjamin on Sales, Am. ed., § 320, and notes.

*68 This case having been tried by a jury, and a general verdict rendered, we cannot permit the judgment to stand as to part of the property, and reverse it as to the rest, but must simply remand the case with instructions to grant a new trial.

All the Justices concurring.