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HENRY V. LINES. HENRY V. LINES. 4-5921 139 S. W. 2d 237 Opinion delivered April 22, 1940. 1. Buis AND NOTESINNOCENT PURCHASER.—One who took assignment of lost note when it was past-due was not an innocent holder. 2. PAYMENTRECITALS IN DEED.—Where a deed recited $50 cash payment had been made, and grantee testified that contemporaneously she made another payment of $47.25 with the intent that it should apply on note for $120 she had assumed, the question was one of fact. The chancellor's finding that but one payment was made was not against a preponderance of the evidence. BILLS AND NOTESPURCHASE AFTER MATURITY.—Appellant executed her $30 note in 1932 payable to Marshall who claimed to have lost it. Appellee, in 1936, took a written assignment. He aiirnitie'd Marshall toia him a $13 payment had been made. Ap-pellee paid $5 for the assignment. Appellant exhibited receipts showing full discharge in 1933. Held, the chancellor's finding that the note had not been paid was contrary to a preponderance of the evidence. Appeal from Cross Chancery Court ; A. L. Hutchins, Chaneellor ; affirmed in part and .reversed in part. J. C. 13r6okfield, for appellant. T. E. Lines, for appellee. GRIFFIN SMITH, C. J. We review the court's action in rendering judgment and decreeing foreclosure. July 14, 1930, 0. N. and Ethel Marshall, husband and wife, borrowed $150 of Wynne Abstract Company. The loan was evidenced by two notes- one for $50, and one for $100. Interest was 10%. The notes were secured by trust deed on real property in Parkin. July 7, 1932, Mrs. Zuby Henry purchased the Parkin property for $250. 1 The deed recites a cash payment of $50. The note for $100 payable to Wynne Abstract Company had become the property of T. E. Lines, who pledged it to First National Bank of Wynne, but later reac-1 The agreement was that $50 should be paid in cash, a $50 credit should be given for a mare and colt, $100 due the Wynne Abstract Company, with interest of $20 was assumed, and the balance evidenced by note secured by vendor's lien for $30. [200 ARK. PAGE 452]
HENRY V. linrES. quired it. When Mrs. Henry bought the Marshall property she assumed this note, with interest of $20. Her con- tention is that the full consideration for purchase as expressed in the deed of July 7 had been paid. She insists that after paying $50 for which receipt is expressed in the deed she paid Lines $47.25 and took his receipt. When asked on cross-examination how the two payments were made she said: "I paid [$47.25] on that note and on that deed, and [Mr. Lines] gave me a receipt for it.' Mrs. Henry testified she went to Lines' office to make payment on the old Wynne Abstract Company note, and ascertained that it was at the bank. She and Lines went to the bank. Payment of $50 is indorsed on the note. By this transaction Mrs. Henry claims to have discharged the obligation. The bank's receipt is shown in the footnote.' Mrs. Henry testified she did not see the receipt written; that when it was handed to her it bore an indorsement showing the balance to be $74.25, and that she immediately took the matter up with her lawyer. Lines testified he bought the $30 lien note for $5. In explanation of the transaction he said that Marshall and his wife came to his office and stated that Mrs. Henry had made a $13 payment, and since that time the note could not be found. A formal written assignment of the debt was made to Wynne Abstract Company, and Lines acquired the assignment. The Parkin property sold for taxes and was certified to the state. It was purchased by Lines, who proposed to treat the purchase as a redemption. The offer was not accepted. 2 The receipt recites : "July 7, 1932. Received of Zuby Henry $47.25 on 0. N. Marshall on mortgage. Wynne Abstract Company. By T. E. Lines." In explanation of the odd amount, Mrs. Henry said: "Mr. Lines said he wanted $100. I went over to Parkin that afternoon and brought back $48.50. He kept $1.25 for interest and gave me a receipt for $47.25. I came back in ten days and paid $2.75, but I did not get any receipt for it." "Received of Zuby Henry $50 on the Oscar Marshall note. Balance due 11/14/1932 $74.25. First National Bank. By Albert Horner, Cashier." Indorsement on the $100 note held as collateral by the bank was : "Nov. 14, 1932. Paid interest on within note $24.25, to 11/14/1932. Nov. 14, 1932. Paid on within note $25.75. The principal of this note is extended to 11/14/1933, or one year from this date. ' Pay, without recourse, to T. E. Lines." [Signed by Homer, cashier.] [200 ARK.—PAGE 453]
HENRY v. LINES. Mrs. Henry exhibited receipts she contended discharged the $30 note.4 If the payment of $47.25 evidenced by the receipt of July 7 represented the credit recited in the deed, Mrs. Henry owed the abstract company $120 she assumed. This note drew interest at 10%, although interest on the $30 note was -at 8%. Credits on the $120 obligation were $50—$25.75 on principal and $24.25 interest. The receipt issued to Mrs. Henry July 7 shows the payment was intended for application on the Marshall mortgage. The question is whether two payments were made by Mrs. Henry July 7. The chancellor found against this contention. We cannot say the determination was contrary to a preponderance of the evidence. Ii seems ciear, however, that the $30 note had been paid. The -assignment to Lines was in November, 193g. Credits contended for y Mrs. Henry, as evidenced by the receipts, were in 1933. The note was past-due and had been lost when Lines took the assignment; and, of course, he was not an innocent purchaser. Judgment on the assumed obligation of $120, with its incidents, is affirmed. Judgnient on the $30 note is reversed and as to such claim the cause is dismissed. The cause arising from the obligation of $120, interest, redemption, taxes, etc., is remanded with directions that the correct amount due thereunder be determined, and that the deed of trust executed July 14, 1930, be foreclosed. 4 One of the receipts was for $13, dated March 10, 1933. It was signed by Oscar Marshall and recites: "For note on house and lot." Another receipt was dated May 2, 1933. It was also signea by Marshall, and acknowledged payment of $6 "on note of one house and lot." The third receipt bears date of June 2, 1933, and was signed by Ethel Marshall. At that time $10 was paid. There is the indorsement: "Balance on note on house and lot." [200 ARK. PAGE 454]
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