Thompson v. Greene & Lawrence County Drainage District , 121 Ark. 400 ( 1915 )

Hart, J.

On March 31, 1913, Greene and Lawrence County Drainage District sued W. C. Thompson to recover $193.13 as interest at 3y2 per cent from August 1, 1912, to March 7, 1913, on the daily balance of a fund of $8,790.09, belonging to isaid district. This is the same fund which this court in Snowden v. Thompson, 106 Ark. 517, ordered Thompson as county treasurer of Greene •County to pay over to the drainage district treasurer. It was a mandamus case brought by the Greene and Lawrence County Drainage District against W. C. Thompson as county treasurer to require him to pay over $8,790.09 to the treasurer of the drainage district. The circuit court held that Thompson was the proper custodian of the fund of the district and from the judgment rendered the drainage district appealed to this court where the judgment of the circuit court was reversed .and Thompson as county treasurer was ordered to pay over the money to the treasurer of the drainage district. This Thompson did at once.

The circuit court entered judgment against Thompson and from the judgment rendered Thompson has duly prosecuted an appeal to this court.

The judgment of the circuit court was not correct. Thompson was county treasurer of Greene County 'and took charge of the funds, believing himself to be the lawful custodian thereof. He did not claim any ownership in the funds, and there was no element of tort connected with Ms receipt of the money. He turned it over to the treasurer of the drainage district as soon as this court decided adversely to him. It will be remembered that the circuit court held that he was the proper custodian of the fund. There is nothing in the record to impeach the good faith of Thompson in holding the money, and there was no delay in paying it over after he was adjudged not to he the proper custodian of it. Therefore, there is no lawful ground upon which the claim for interest can he sustained.

The judgment will he reversed and the cause of action against Thompson dismissed'here.