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151 Ala. 503

Couch v. Holmes

Supreme Court of Alabama

Decided May 8, 1907

Supreme Court of Alabama · decided 1907-05-08

Heard before Hon. W. W. Haralson. Action of detinue by M. P. Couch against H. Holmes, for a mare. From a judgment for defendant, plaintiff appeals. Action of detinue by Couch against Holmes for the recovery of a sorrel mare. The plaintiff’s testimony tended to show that D. P. Mitchell procured a loan of him for $300 and secured it by mortgage on the mare in question. The mortgage, ivas signed by I). P. Mitchell, M. A. Mitchell, his wife, and J. M. Mitchell, his son.

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently December 1947

3 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Reversed and remanded · Decided 1907-05-08

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ANDERSON, J.

¶1The thial court erred in refusing charge 1, requested by the plaintiff. If D. P. Mitchell OAvned the mare Avhen he executed the mortgage to the plaintiff, the plaintiff thereby acquired title to her and should have recovered in the court below. The defendant was not a purchaser, under section 1009 of the Code of 1896, notwithstanding plaintiff’s mortgage had not been recorded in Cullman county Avhen his grantor, Dr. McLarty, purchased the mare from the wife of Mitchell, if Mitchell was the owner of the mare. Under the terms of the statute the purchase must be from the OAvner when the mortgage Avas executed, or some one holding under him or Avho has authority from his to sell. The *505evidence fails to show that Mrs. Mitchell had any authority to sell the mare. She says “that her husband, when he started off to the penitentiary, said nothing to her about talcing care of his affairs; only told her to do the best she could while he was gone; that she had no authority from him to sell the mare.” D. P. Mitchell testified “that, when he started off to the penitentiary, he did not authorize his wife to sell the mare; that he placed the mare in plaintiff’s charge; that he did tell his wife to take care of his things and do the best she could while he was gone.” The testimony failed to show authority to the wife to sell, nor could such authority be inferred therefrom.

¶2The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause is remanded.

Tyson, C. J., and Dowdell and McClellan, JJ., concur.
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