Sackhoff v. Vandegrift , 98 Ala. 192 ( 1893 )

STONE, C. J.

This cause Avas submitted to the chancellor for the appointment of a receiver, and one day’s notice was given of the application. Notwithstanding the shortness of the notice, many affidavits were submitted for and against the motion. And the chancellor allowed a further extension of one day, before making a final determination of that application. During this day of extension other affidavits were filed. We do not feel authorized to draw a distinction between the Court’s action on the 19th, and the final action taken on the 20th, but will treat it as one de-cretal order, made and entered on the entire showing found in this record. Manifestly the chancellor did not consider the decretal order as finally determined on, until after the hearing on the 20th of December.

Yanclegrift, a creditor at large of Passe, filed this bill for the purpose of collecting his claim, amounting to something over one thousand dollars. He sought to enforce collection by equitable proceedings, under tbe following averred facts : Passe bad, for some time, been a merchant, doing business in Birmingham. In the fall of 1892, about November, his creditors had attached the goods in his store, on claims amounting to much more than their value, and had thus broken up the business. The firm of Hodges Brothers Avas one of the creditors who attached that stock of goods. Soon after their attachment at law 'was thus levied on the goods in the said store in the avowed possession of Passe, they, Hodges Brothers, filed a bill in the Chancery Court of Jefferson coAinty, against Passe, Sackhoff and others, alleging that the stock of merchandise in another store which was being operated in the name of Sackhoff, was the property of Passe, and was placed there for the purpose of defrauding the creditors of Passe ; that their attachment levy on the goods in the Passe store would yield them nothing, because older attachments would exhaust the proceeds of that stock, and leave nothing for Hodges Brothers. On these alleged grounds Hodges Brothers prayed for and obtained an equitable attachment, which was levied on the stock of goods held in the store occupied by Sackhoff, for the debt charged to be due them from Passe, amounting to something over nineteen hundred dollars. These goods were replevied by Sackhoff, by giving bond in double the sum claimed in the attachment, Cameron and Nolan becoming sureties on the bond. This bond has the condition prescribed for replevying property seized under writs of attachment, and bears date November 25, 1892.

The present bill was filed December 16, 1892, and makes Passe, Sackhoff, Cameron and Nolan parties defendant. It reiterates all the charges of fraud and fraudulent combination between Passe and Sackhoff, and charges, as Hodges Brothers, had done in their bill, that the stock of goods in the Sackhoff store was the property of Passe, placed there for the purpose of defrauding his creditors, and that said stock of goods, so placed, was worth eight thousand dollars or more. Like the Hodges Brothers bill, it makes very full charges of fraud against Passe and Sackhoff; and, as they had done, avers that the older attachments levied were much more in amount than enough t© exhaust the said stock of goods confessedly held in the name of Passe. The purpose and prayer of this bill are to enforce the collection of complainants demand — something over one thousand dollars— out of that part of the stock in Sackhoff’s hands, which shall be left after paying the older attachment in favor of Hodges Brothers. As an excuse or reason for invoking the restraining, remedial power of tbe Chancery Court in this ease, it is averred that after the restoration of the stock of goods to Sackhoff, on the execution of the replevin bond in the Hodges Brothers suit, he, Sackhoff, resumed their sale, and is engaged in selling them ; and unless restrained, will soon dispose of them, and put .their proceeds beyond the reach of the creditors of Passe, to whom they rightfully belong. The prayer of the present bill was and is, that Sackhoff be enjoined from selling the goods, and that they be placed in the hands of a receiver, to be held by him subject to the order of the Court.

In the foregoing summary of facts, we have not undertaken to copy what is charged in the bills. ■ We have simply stated in general terms conclusions of fact drawn from the averments, which are full and specific.

The chancellor, first requiring of complainant a bond with surety, conditioned to pay to Sackhoff such damages as he may suffer from the wrongful appointment of a receiver, made the appointment requiring of the appointee a proper bond with sureties. The present appeal suspended that order of appointment, and presents for our consideration the single inquiry, whether the receiver was properly appointed under the facts shown.

Two grounds are urged why the decretal order appointing a receiver in this case should be vacated. First, that giving due consideration and weight to the affidavits made and submitted, the complainant failed to make such case as would authorize the Court to take the merchandise out of the hands of its possessor, and place it in the hands of a receiver.

We have given careful consideration to the affidavits which shed light on this inquiry, and find them in very great conflict. Considered by themselves, the showing in favor of Sackhoff’s purchase, and independent ownership of the goods, is in many respects strong. On the other hand, the proof of his former means and former rate of wages, the unusual terms on which the goods were alleged to have been furnished to him by Passe, and many other circumstances attending their dealings together, and their intercourse with each other; and, furthermore, the rapidity with which Sackhoff increased his business, its emoluments and the means and resources he thus became the master of, while, in every respect, Passe’s business became less remunerative, — less prosperous — call for fuller and more satisfactory proof of the bom fieles of the transaction than we find in the transcript before us. We forbear to comment witb greater particularity, lest, perchance, we do injustice. Unusual as the alleged terms on which Passe furnished goods to Sackhoff, rapid as the increase of the latter’s business — resources and profits- — is claimed to have been, we can not, with certainty, affirm that the claim set up is impossible, and therefore unfounded. It is not so manifestly impossible, as that, at this stage, we can pronounce it false. Still, we hold that, weighed and determined by the affidavits and what they disclose, the chancellor did not err in the appointment of a receiver, unless such appointment was improper under the circumstances of this case, to be considered further on. Meyer v. Johnston, 53 Ala. 237; Kelly v. Trustees, 58 Ala. 489; 2 Amer. & Eng. Encyc. of Law, 19; Ashurst v. Lehman, 86 Ala. 370; Head v. Murry, 93 Ala. 127.

It is contended in the second place that the goods having been seized and replevied under the attachment at the suit of Hodges Brothers, and that suit not shown to have been disposed of, they were in the custody of the law, and therefore could not be seized, or the possession interfered with at the suit of another. — Dollins v. Lindsey, 89 Ala. 217, is one of the authorities relied on in support of this contention. See also McRae v. McLean, 3 Por. 138; Langdon v. Brumby, 7 Ala. 53; Kemp v. Porter, Ib., 138; Cordaman v. Malone, 63 Ala. 556. In Dollins v. Lindsey, 89 Ala. 217, goods had been seized under attachments sued out against Price brothers, and Dollins had interposed a claim under the statute to try the right of property. He gave bond with sureties in accordance with statutory requirements, and the goods were restored to his possession. This suit was in the common law court. Thereupon Lindsey & Co. filed a bill to enforce the collection of a claim they asserted against Price brothers, and prayed for the appointment of a receiver to take possession of the goods, which had been so seized under attachments at law, and claimed under the statute by Dollins. The bill contained no averment that the goods were of greater value than the amount of the debts under which they had been attached, nor does it appear that the bonafides of those debts were questioned. The chancellor appointed a receiver, and this court reversed the order, holding that the property being in the custody of the law, that custody or possession could not be disturbed by the order of another court.

There is a marked difference between that case and this. In that case the proceedings were in different courts, and there was no averment that the property attached was of value exceeding tlie amount of tlie debts under which it had been attached. In this case both suits are in the same court, and the averment is specific. that the goods were worth four times the amount of the claim under which they had been seized. It is clearly the law that if property seized under execution or attachment has value in excess of the claim under which it is seized, that excess of value, nothing else being in the way, is liable to the debtor’s debts. Scarborough v. Malone, 67 Ala. 570. And courts should render all proper aid to make such right effective.

In the qase we have in hand we can neither perceive, nor conceive of any wrong done or likely to be done to Sack-hoff. If the seizure be wrongful, he is indemnified against loss and injury by the bond the chancellor required complainant to give, before appointing the receiver. The receiver’s fidelity in the trust is secured by the bond with sureties the chancellor required of him. So much for Sack-hoff’s indemnity. Nor is the security of Hodges brothers, or of Cameron and Nolan, sureties on the replevin bond, in the slightest degree imperiled. Neither the property nor its custody is carried from one court to another. Both suits are in one court — the Chancery Court — which can mould its relief to meet the exigencies of the case. Only tlie excess above requirements to pay the Hodges debt is sought to be condemned; and such claim caD not injure Hodges Bros., or Cameron and Nolan, sureties of Sackhoff. The chancellor will protect those prior, paramount claims, and, to this end, may, if necessary, order the two suits to be heard together.

Hear the other side. If it be true that the goods were held by Sackhoff for the benefit of Passe, and as a means of defrauding the latter’s creditors; and if it be true that the merchandise in controversy in value greatly exceeded the amount necessary to pay Hodges brothers their claim, then to deny the relief prayed in this case is practically to permit the fraud to be consummated. This would be a perversion of the doctrine of non-interference with property in the custody of the law. *

We have mentioned the fact that in this case both suits were pending in the same court, and that, consequently, the chancellor’s order would not have the effect of taking property levied on under process from one court, and placing it under the control of another court. Cases may arise in which property is levied on under process from one court, which in value exceeds the demand under which it is seized and bonded. Whether another creditor, asserting his claim in another jurisdiction, may not reach that surplus-of value ancl make it available, is not presented by this record, and is not intended to be decided. We leave ourselves uncommitted, alike on the right and the remedy in such condition.

The decretal order of the chancellor is affirmed.

Affirmed.