Bowen v. Hamilton

• Decision Date: 16 November 1916
• Docket Number: 5 Div. 624
• Citation: 197 Ala. 418,73 So. 5
• Parties: BOWEN v. HAMILTON.
• Court: Alabama Supreme Court

73 So. 5

197 Ala. 418

BOWEN v. HAMILTON.

5 Div. 624

Supreme Court of Alabama

November 16, 1916

Appeal from Circuit Court, Elmore County; W.W. Pearson, Judge.

Suit by S.I. Hamilton against F.L. Bowen. From a judgment for plaintiff, defendant appeals. Transferred from the Court of Appeals under Acts 1911, p. 449, § 6. Affirmed.

See also, 70 So. 1015.

J.M Holley, of Wetumpka, for appellant.

T.G Hilyer, of Tallassee, for appellee.

THOMAS J.

The suit is for the wrongful taking and the conversion of 50 bushels of corn, to which the plaintiff claimed title and right of possession under a mortgage given by H.C. Black to plaintiff, of due date September 15, 1913. The mortgage contained the following clause:

"And to secure the above obligation when same becomes due the said H.C. Black hereby sell and convey unto the said S.I. Hamilton entire crop of corn, cotton, cotton seed, oats wheat, peas, potatoes, sugar cane, and all other agricultural products grown and raised by and all right, title, and interest in said crops grown by tenants under me, or cotenants with me in Elmore county, Alabama, during the year 1913. *** And it is expressly agreed that no power shall be given me to dispose of the above property, or any part thereof, without the written consent of the owner of this mortgage. To have and to hold to the said S.I. Hamilton, heirs and assigns forever."

The plaintiff's evidence was such as would warrant the jury in inferring that the mortgage was due; that defendant admitted to plaintiff that the mortgagor sold him some corn raised in the year 1913; that the corn was raised by mortgagor in Elmore county; that the corn was at the time worth 90 cents per bushel; that demand was made on defendant for the same; but that it was not delivered up, nor payment made therefor to the plaintiff. The evidence further showed the recordation of defendant's mortgage on Black's crop grown for that year, subsequent to the recordation of plaintiff's mortgage.

There was evidence from which the jury might infer that 44 bushels of the corn in question, grown by Black in Elmore county in the year 1913, was by the defendant taken and converted, to the plaintiff's damage.

The affirmative charge can be given at the defendant's request only when there is no evidence which tends to establish the plaintiff's case. It is not for the court to judge of the sufficiency of the evidence, nor to decide which of...