Ressegieu v. Van Wagenen , 77 Iowa 351 ( 1889 )

Robinson, J.

On the fifth day of February, 1885, N. P. and Hansine Mortensen made to plaintiff two promissory notes for $413.65 each, and to secure their payment executed a mortgage on certain real estate in the town of Rock Rapids. The Mortensens afterwards sold and conveyed the mortgaged property to defendant I. W. Yan Wagenen. In the deed of conveyance was inserted a stipulation by virtue of which Yan Wagenen assumed and' agreed to pay the mortgage aforesaid. The defendants I. W. Yan Wagenen and wife allege as a defense that the consideration of the notes in suit was intoxicating liquors sold to the Mortensens contrary to law.

I. It appears that the notes in suit were given in payment of two other notes, one of which was secured by a mortgage on the property involved in this suit, and the other was secured by a mortgage on property in Yalley Springs, Dakota. It- is claimed by defendants that the original notes were given for intoxicating liquors sold by plaintiff in violation of the laws of Iowa. During a portion of the years 1882 and 1883, N. P. Mortensen was engaged in the saloon business in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Yalley Springs, Dakota. He was associated in the business with one Belfry. While they were so engaged in business plaintiff sold and shipped to them merchandise of various kinds, including considerable quantities of intoxicating liquors. The business carried on at Rock Rapids was illegal, so far as it related to the sale of intoxicating liquors, while that carried on at Yalley Springs was conducted under a license issued by proper authority, and appears to have been legal. The defendants show the sale and shipment to Mortensen of intoxicating liquors at different dates. The plaintiff testifies that all intoxicating liquors sold were paid for in cash, and that sales of such liquors formed no part of the consideration of either of the original notes. Mortensen corroborates plaintiff, and testifies that one of those notes was given for “ saloon fixtures and tables,” and that the other was given for borrowed money,- and other legal considerations. There is some conflict' between the testimony of plaintiff and Mortensen in regard to matters of minor importance, but they agree that neither note was given in whole or in part for intoxicating liquors. Defendants rely upon certain inconsistent and improbable matters of evidence in connection with the sales proven. The evidence would not be of general interest, and need not be set out. It is sufficient for us to say that in our opinion the preponderance of the evidence introduced is with the plaintiff, while the burden of proof as to the alleged illegality of the notes is upon the defendants.

II. The purchase price which Yan Wagenen agreed to pay for the mortgaged property was seventeen hundred dollars, from which the amount of the notes in suit was deducted in consequence of his agreement to assume and pay them. Mortensen is not contesting the notes. It is insisted by appellee that section 1550 of the Code does not apply to cases of this kind; but we do not find it necessary to decide • whether it does or not, since the conclusion we have reached on the other branch of the case is conclusive as to plaintiff’s right of recovery. No objection is made to the decree in case plaintiff is found to be entitled to recover. It is therefore Affirmed.»