Geneva Wagon Co. v. Smith

• Decision Date: 18 May 1905
• Citation: 74 N.E. 299,188 Mass. 202
• Parties: GENEVA WAGON CO. v. SMITH.
• Court: United States State Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts Supreme Court

188 Mass. 202

74 N.E. 299

GENEVA WAGON CO. v. SMITH.

Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, Suffolk.

May 18, 1905

COUNSEL

Chas. T. Cottrell, for plaintiff.

Thorndike Spalding, for defendant.

OPINION

HAMMOND, J.

The evidence warranted a finding that the title to the wagons was to remain the plaintiff until paid for in money, and that they never were so paid for; and therefore that the title never passed to the Hendersons. Upon the uncontradicted evidence, the wagons were included in the mortgage. The language of the mortgage included them, and Henderson, both as mortgagor and as agent for the defendant, the mortgagee, intended that they should be included. After the mortgage, Henderson had the key to the building in which the wagons were kept, and the court could properly find upon the evidence that he acted as agent for the defendant, so far as respected her supposed rights as mortgagee, and kept them for her under a claim of right inconsistent with the rights of the plaintiff. This was a tortious act on the part of the defendant, and no demand was necessary before bringing the suit. Baker v. Lothrop, 155 Mass. 376, 29 N.E. 643, and cases cited. We see no error in the rulings given by the court.

Exceptions overruled.