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2 Pin. 194

Rupert v. Madden

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Decided January 15, 1849

Wisconsin Supreme Court · decided 1849-01-15

This was an action of assumpsit, brought in Iowa county, on two promissory notes, one of which is declared upon as having been executed by the defendant below, as trastee of the Louisiana company, and the other as having been executed by the defendant below in his own name and individual character, but signed and executed by the defendant as trustee of the said Louisiana company. Thei’e were also in the declaration, the usual money counts.

Decided 1849-01-15

Stow, C. J.

¶1The declaration in this case commences, “ Benj. Rupert, plaintiff, complains of Wm, J. Madden, trus*196tee of the Louisiana company, defendant, in a plea of trespass on the case, upon promises, etc.,” and sets forth two promissory notes, in one of which the defendant, “ as trustee of the Louisiana Co.,” promises to pay, etc.; and the other is in the common form of an individual note, but is signed “ Win. J. Madden, trustee Louisiana Co.” There are also the usual common counts. Throughout the declaration the defendant is described as trustee of the Louisiana company. The defendant demurred generally, and the demurrer was sustained by the court below.

¶2On the argument it was contended that the declaration shows that the defendant is sued in his fiduciary character as trustee, and that, if judgment were to pass against him, it would bind the trust fund, which, he contended, could not be done by a proceeding at law. On examining the declaration, we are of opinion that the defendant is not sued as trustee, but in his natural character, and that the words “ trustee, etc.,” are only descriptive of his person, and that therefore the demurrer is bad.

¶3The judgment of the district court is reversed.

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