ARK.1 1005 PLANTERS LUMBER Co_, INC. e. til Tur WILSON Co, INC, 5-4108 413 S. W. d Opinion delivered February 13, 1967 (Supplemental opinion on denial of rehearing delivered April 10. 19137. p. 1100, 1. MORTGAGES—LIEN & PRIORITY—OPERATION & EFFECT OF PURPOSE DOCTRINE.—While it is the purpose as : stated in the mortgage and not use of funds that is controlling, purpose doctrine could not be used to prohibit a showing that the amount stated in the mortgage was never advanced. 2 APPEAL & ERROR—ISSUES NOT RAISED IN TRIAL COURT—REVIEW.— Appellant's request that Supreme Court treat its pleadings as amended, not having been raised in the trial court, and bordering on a new cause of action, could not be granted on appeal. 3. APPEAL & ERROR—ISSUES NOT RAISED IN TRIAL COURT—REVIEW.— Appellant's contention for judgment in personam against ap-pellee denied where it was raised for the first time on appeal. 4. MORTGAGES—LIEN & PRIORITY—CONSTRUCTION & OPERATION.— Where it was undisputed that lender withheld from the amount of construction funds stated in the mortgages the cost of the lots, and withdrew from advancements to disbursing agent the interest monies, he could not claim priority in these amounts, so that chancellor's decree is modified to this extent. Appeal from Pulaski Chancery Court, Second Division, Kay L. Matthews, Chancellor ; reversed and remanded. H. B. Stubblefield. for appellant. Owens, McHavey & itIcffoney and Pobinsrou, Tborn-ton Mceloy & Young, for appellee. LYLE BROWN, Justice. This appeal questions the correctness of the decree of the chancellor, declaring the mortgage lien of appellee-, The Wilson Company, Inc., superior to the materialman's lien of appellant, Planters Lumber Company, Inc. Wilson advanced certain monies to Ro y Stillman under a construction mortgage. -Upon default by Stillman, Wilson brought foreclosure proceedings and made Planterg a party, the latter having filed a lien for materials supplied in the construction of a house , on each of the two lots mortgaged. The bill for materials and its timely filing are not in dispute. Both parties were awarded judgment against Stillman; he does not appeal.
1006 PLANTERS LUMBER CO. V. WILSON CO. [241 Separate foreclosure suits were filed, one involving Lot 2, Darby's Subdivision, Pulaski County, and the other involving Lot 4 in the same subdivision. The eases were consolidated for trial. The causes are so similar that they need be considered separately only briefly. Lot 2 : Wilson Company conveyed to Stillman by warranty deed dated October 9, 1964, reciting $100.00 and other consideration paid. A week later Stillman executed a construction mortgage to Wilson Company, which was promptly recorded. Wilson plei_lged $15,000.00 for construction money. However, Wilson withheld $3,- 200.00, the purchase price of the lot, and delivered $11,- 800.00 to the disbursing agent. Also, during the course of construction, Wilson directed the disbursing agent to return $465.81 to Wilson for accrued interest owed by Stillman on the note. Lot 4: Wilson - Co mpany conveyed to Stillman by warranty deed dated January 6, 1965, reciting $100.00 and other consideration paid. Stillman executed a construction mortgage, dated December 14, 1964, to Wilson Company, which was immediately recorded. Wilson pledged $14,400.00 for construction money, but delivered to the disbursing agent only $11,200.00, having withheld $3,200.00 for the purchase price of the lot: Also, during the course of construction, Wilson directed the disbursing agent to return $394.28 to Wilson for accrued interest owed by Stillman on the note As to both lots, Arkansas Abstract Company, the disbursing agent designated by Wilson, paid out the balance of the construction monies for construction purposes, except for some minor expenses incident to the venture ; these expenditures are not questioned. All bills for labor and materials were paid except those forming the basis of Planters' claim. Both parties to this appeal base their claims to priority on Ark. Stat. Ann, § 51-605 (1947). This section, in conjunction with Ark. Stat. Ann_ § 51-601, gives
ARK.] PLANTERS LUMBER CO. V. WILSOX GIL 1007 to a materialman a lien upon the improvement for which the materials are furnished. The hen is in preference to any prior lien existing upon said land or building, unless the prior lien was given for the purpose of raising money with which to make the improvement, in which event the lien is prior to the lien Riven by these two sections. We hold that, as to Lot 2, Wilson Company has a valid lien for eonstruetion money advanced, in the sum of $11,334.19, calculated by taking the sum of $11,800.00, which was turned over to the disbursing agent, and subtracting therefrom the sum of $465.81, which Wilson directed the disbursing agent to return to Wilson for interest on the loan. We further hold that Planters Company is entitled to a second lien on Lot 2 in the principal sum of $2,834.57, the full amount of its materials bill. We hold that, as to Lot 4, Wilson Company has a valid lien for construction money advanciml in the sum of $10,805.72, calculated by taking the sum of $11,200.00, which Wilson turned over to the disbursing agent, and subtracting therefrom the sum of $394.28, which Wilson directed the disbursing agent to return to it as interest on the loan. We further hold that Planters is entitled to a second lien on Lot 4 in the principal sum of $2,181.95, the full amount of its materials bill. The essenee of our modification of the deeree of the chancellor is to deny to Wilson Company a lien prior to that of the materialman, first, for money advanced to purchase the lot, and, second, for money owed to it by Stillman for interest on the loan. The Purchase Price of the Lots. Wilson delivered to Stillman a warranty deed which recited a paid consideration and mentioned no encumbrance. Secondly. Wilson caused to be eypeuted and plaeed of record identical mortgages on the two lots, except for the amounts pledged for construction_ We shall use the mortgap,P on Lot 4 to reeite cm4ain pertinent provisions :
1008 PLANTERS LUMBER CO. v. WILSON CO. [241 "TO HAVE AND TO HOLD The same, with all and singular the tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, unto the said Grantee, and to its successors and assigns forever. "And the said Grantor does hereby covenant and agr ue that Grantor is the lawful owner of the premises above granted, and seized of a good and inde-feasible estate of inheritance therein, free and clear of all incumbrances, and that Grantor will warrant and defend the same in the quiet and peaceable possession of said Grantee, its successors and assigns forever, against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. "PROVIDED ALWAYS, That this instrument is made, executed and delivered upon the following conditions, to-wit : "FIRST : Grantor has applied to the Grantee for a loan in the principal sum of Fourteen Thousand Four Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($14,400.00) to be used solely for and in construction of a one-family residence on the lands above described, and the Grantee ha6 agreed to make said loan for such purposes, and the Grantor is justly indebted to the Grantee for advances made or to be made hereafter by Grantee to Grantor from time to time for such purposes, aggregating the prIncipal sum aforesaid, each such advance to be evidenced by a negotiable promissory note of Grantor, payable to the order of Grantee, of even date with the date such advance is made and in the prineipal sum thereof, and each such note to bear interest from date until maturity at Six % per annum and from maturity until paid at 10% per annum, said notes to be due and payable as follows : On or before June 14, 1965, Grantee agrees that the acceptance and recordation of this mortgage binds Grantee, its successors and assigns, absolutely and unconditionally, to make said loan and advances. Such advances will be made as requested by Grantor as such work progresses "
ARK.] PLANTERS LUMBER CO. V. WILSON lin. 1009 Such recitations in these two instruments, the deed and the mortgage, constitute notice to the world that Stillman owns Lot 4 free and clear of any encumbrances. Further, Wilson warrants, not only to Stillman, but to possible laborers, materialmen, and other creditors who may be asked to participate in construction, that Wilson is bound absolutely and unconditionally to make the advances as the work progresses. With this information gleaned from the record, an alert materialman might desire to make another financial check as the work progresses ; namely, to check with the disbursing agent to get the total expended for construction. Had Planters so inquired, it would have found the running account to have shown ample funds unex-pended. The disbursing agent had no record of a lot payment ; although it may have been aware that Wil-son customarily withheld such payments, the disbursing= agent would have no cause to know the amount. At least, it is not so reflected in the record. In phrasing the terms of the construction mortgage, Wilson was seeking to establish a priority for its expenditures. See the proviso in Ark. Stat. Ann. § 51-605, and Shaw v. Rackensack Apt. Corp., 11 4 Ark 492, 295- S. W. 966 (1927). Equity dictates that one who seeks a priority of this nature should live up to the clear prerequisite of the requirement that the privileged funds be raised to make such erections and improvements or to build such buildings. Wilson Company relies strongly on Ashdown Hdlee Co. v. Hughes, 223 Ark. 541, 267 S. W. 2d 294 (1954). In this case, J. C. Stewart owned six acres on which there was a residence. It was subject to an outstanding mortgage of $4,500m0. No lahorer or materialman could pierce the priority of this mortgage. Hughes loaned Stew art the money with which to satisfy thi.s mortgage and took a, mortgage from Stewart covering : this loan.
1 010 PLANTERS LUMBER CO. WILSON CO. [241 In addition, Hughes committed himself to advance $,5- 50000 with which to build four cabins. Hughes, in clearing the land and residence of the mortgage for $4,500.00, succeeded to the same enviable position as the original mortgagee to whom Stewart had mortgaged the premises, that is, Hughes held a lien which no laborer or mateiialman could pierce. As stated in the concurring opinion by Justice McFaddin, Hughes' mortgage for the $4,500.00 that he advanced was superior to any material-man 's claim for materials which might be furnished after the date of the mortgage. The majority opinion in that case concedes that this advancement was not used for construction purposes but reasons that it enhanced the owner's property, leaving the impression that this fact justified giving Hughes priority. We think the principle of subrogation, mentioned by Justice Mc-Faddin, would have more appropriately described the ]asis for -Hughes' -priority. ---- Wilson Company's position is entirely different from that of Hughes. Wilson caused a deed to Stillman to be recorded, whieh reflected full consideration having been paid. Then Wilson obtained a mortgage wherein the advancement of stated construction funds was guaranteed. Wilson "padded" the mortgage with the price of the lot and retained the money. In the Ashdown case, Hughes actually advanced the money to clear the Steward lot and recited in his (Hughes') mortgage that Stewart was indebted to Hughes' "separate estate" in that amount. Wilson Company would defend its use of a part of the funds for payment of the lots and for interest, on the theory that a construction moneT mortgage has been held to be superior, notwithstanding the use of the money for other purposes. Wilson cites two cases on this point, namely, Shaw v. Rackensack Apt. Corp., 174 Ark. 492, 295 S. W. 966; and Sebastian B. & L. Assn. v. Min-ten, 181 Ark. 700, 27 S. W. 2d 1011 (1930 ) , We are not unmindful of the fact that it is the "purpose" and not the "use" of the funds that is controlling. It is also
ARK.] PLANTERS LUMBER CO. V. WILSON CO. 1011 recognized that the purpose, as stated in the mortgage, is paramount. But where it is not disputed, as here, that the lender withheld from the amount of construction funds stated in the mortgages, the cost of the two lots, and withdrew from advancements to the disbursing agent the interest monies, the lender cannot be held to claim priority in these amounts. The "purpose" doctrine cannot be used to prohibit a showing that the amount stated in the mortgage was never advanced. On appeal, and for the first time, Planters makes the contention that Wilson Company is liable to it for the amounts withheld, plus the money returned to Wil-son for interest. Planters cites Lyman Lamb Co. v. Uw-ion Rank of Benton, 237 Ark. 629, 374 S. W. 2d 820. In its answer and cross complaint, Planters did not seek personal judgment against Wilson Company : Planters pleaded its lien and prayed that Wilson Company's lien be declared inferior to Planters': it prayed for personal judgment against Stillman, and asked for a sale of Stillman's property if the judgment be not paid within the time fixed by the court. Planters contends that this court should treat the pleadings as amended to conform to the proof, and cites Railway Co. v. Triplett, 54 Ark. 289, 15 S. W. 831, 16 S. W. 266 ; Kansas City Southern Ro. v. Rogers, 146 Ark. 232, 225 S. W. 640; and Thomas v. Spires. 180 Ark. 671, 22 S. W. 2d 553. TheRe holdings justify the triol court in treating pleadings as amended, when the defects supplied by the proof are germane to the issues actually pleaded. But here, Planters' proposed amendment, which it seeks from this court, would border On stating a new cause of action. In the early stages of the trial, Wilson's first wit-- ness revealed that Wilson had withheld the purchase price of the lots from the funds pledged in the mortgage for construction. Notwithstanding this development, Planters at no time asked the trial court to treat the
IOU [241 pleadings as amended so Planters could pursue Wilson for these funds withheld. So naturally : the trial court had no opportunity to rule on this point. Again, just before all testimony was concluded, counsel for Wilson stated that the only question in controversy was the question of priority of the lien of his mortgagee client, as compared to the materialman's lien of Planters. Equity would dictate that at this point Planters should have appraised court and counsel of a claim for judgment against Wilson for the money Wilson diverted from the construction ;funds. Under these circumstances, we hold that Planters ' contention for judgment in personam against Wilson— being raised for the first time in this court—must be denied. - The cause is- remanded, with directions that the decree of foreclosure be modified in such respects as are necessary to harmonize with the rulings herein, and in order that final proceedings of foreclosure and disbursement may be conducted.
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