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5 Neb. 302

Cones v. Neligh

Nebraska Supreme Court

Decided January 15, 1877

Nebraska Supreme Court · decided 1877-01-15

This was an appeal from a decree rendered by Griffey, J., in tbe district court of Cuming county. It was an action for the foreclosure of certain mortgage deeds alleged to have been executed and delivered by the defendant, John D. Neligh and Catharine B. Neligh, to secure the payment of a certain promissory note for $1,000, payable to the order of Elizabeth BE. Hall, alleged to have been made, executed, and delivered by said John D. Neligh.

Decided 1877-01-15

Lake, Oh. J.

¶1It is only necessary to notice a single one of the many questions presented by this record.

¶2There is no pretense that John H. Hall had any authority to use Neligh’s name except such as he derived from the power of attorney produced upon the trial. But this, certainly, by the most liberal construction, did not authorize him to execute, in Neligh’s name, a promissory note for four thousand dollars to accoriipany the mortgage mentioned in the power of attorney, and then to negotiate both note and mortgage as collateral security for a loan of five hundred dollars to himself.

¶3Not only is it impossible to give this instrument so comprehensive a meaning, but there is nothing in the testimony of Hall himself as to the object for which the power of attorney was given, which would authorize him to bind Neligh in this manner.

¶4The language of this power of attorney is very brief, and clearly expressed. It simply authorizes Hall to sign Neligh’s “name, as grantor, to a mortgage, or mortgages,” on certain real estate therein particularly described, nothing more. The instrument was of record, and was notice to the plaintiffs of the extent of the authority which it gave.

¶5This is a clear case of the agent exceeding the authority given by his principal, and in a matter to which the principal cannot be bound without his consent.

¶6Several other questions were raised and discussed on the trial, but we deem this to be the really important one, and its determination decisive of the case.

¶7The judgment of the court below must be reversed, and a decree entered in favor of the defendants dismissing the case.

¶8Judgment accordingly.

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