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43 Mo. 581

Weil v. Tyler

Supreme Court of Missouri

Decided March 15, 1869

Supreme Court of Missouri · decided 1869-03-15

Louis Circuit Court. Upon trial of the cause in the court below, it appeared in evidence, on the part of the plaintiffs, that the garnishees made and delivered to the defendant, Bucking, a certain due-bill, of which the following is a copy: “ St. Louis, Mo., November 16,1860. “Due Henry Bucking one thousand dollars, in brandy, at five dollars per gallon.

Cited by 5 later decisions — most recently March 1899

5 state decisions

Relies on Scales v. Southern Hotel Co. · Weil v. Tyler

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1869-03-15

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Wagner, Judge,

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶2This case presents essentially the same state of facts that it did when it was here before. (38 Mo. 545.) We then held that the plaintiffs were not entitled to a money judgment against the defendants.

¶3On a re-trial there was no evidence of demand or refusal to pay in brandy, according to the contract of indebtedness, and the court instructed the jury that the plaintiffs could not recover. Yerdict and judgment accordingly went for defendants. An appeal was taken to general term, and the judgment was reversed, upon what ground, we áre not advised. There is no dispute about the defendants (garnishees) owing the amount in property — they admit that in their answer — but the issue was taken on an absolute and unconditional indebtedness, which they denied; and there was no proof that they owed anything, otherwise than as expressed in the contract, which was to be discharged by the payment of brandy. ,It is evident that they cannot be held liable in this proceeding.

¶4There are exceptional cases reported, but it must be considered as settled law that, to hold a garnishee liable in attachment, the debt must be such as is due in money. (Drake on Attach. § 550, 3d ed., and authorities cited.)

¶5This court has said, in speaking on the subject, that in order that an indebtedness may be liable to garnishment it must be shown to be absolutely due as a money demand, unaffected by liens or prior encumbrances or condition of contract. (Scales v. Southern Hotel Co., 37 Mo. 520; Weil v. Tyler, 38 Mo. 545.) *583The plaintiffs, surely, have an appropriate remedy, but they have mistaken it upon going to trial upon this issue.

¶6The judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded.

The other judges concur.
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