Shain v. Sullivan

Harrison, J. Action by the plaintiff as the indorsee of a promissory note executed by the defendants. A copy of the note is set out in the complaint, and its execution is not denied by the defendants, but in their answer they deny the indorsement to the plaintiff, and in a separate answer allege certain matters impeaching the consideration of the note. The case was tried without a jury, and the court found that the note had been indorsed to the plaintiff for value prior to its maturity, and rendered judgment in his favor. The defendants moved for a new trial upon the ground that the evidence was insufficient to justify the decision, and from the order denying their motion, and also from the judgment, they have appealed.

At the trial the plaintiff introduced in evidence the promissory note set forth in the complaint, upon the face of which, at the left-hand end thereof, was written the names of the payees. No objection was made to the introduction of this instrument when it was offered, and it is recited in the statement that the whole of the face of the paper was read in evidence. No other evidence was offered by either party, except the computation of the amount of interest due upon the note; and the court rendered its decision as aforesaid.

The failure to deny the execution of the note rendered it unnecessary to make any proof thereof, and, as the defendants offered no evidence in support of the matters alleged in their special defense, the only issue before the court was the indorsement of the note to the plaintiff. The ordinary mode of indorsing a note is by the indorser writing his name upon the back thereof, but the indorsement may be made upon the face of the note with the same effect as if made upon the back. (Bigelow on Bills and Notes, 135; Young v. Glover, 1 Ames’ Cases on Bills and Notes, 228; Chitty on Bills, 227; Herring v. Woodhull, 29 Ill. 92; 81 Am. Dec. 296; Partridge v. Davis, 20 Vt. 499; Haines v. Dubois, 30 N. J. L. [211259].) In the case last cited the payee wrote his name under that of the maker, and it was held to be a sufficient indorsement. Section 3108 of the Civil Code declares: “ One who writes his name upon a negotiable instrument, otherwise than as a maker or acceptor, and delivers it with his name thereon to another person, is called an indorser, and his act is called indorsement.” The production of the instrument by the plaintiff was evidence of its delivery to him, and, upon proof of the indorsement, of his right to collect the same from the defendants.