Timm v. Stegman ( 1893 )

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Scott, J.

Respondent Peter Timm obtained a judgment against D. Stegman, Samuel S. Loeb and John Frazier in the superior court of Pierce county, and the appellant was summoned to appear and answer, under §§ 524 and 525, Code Proc., relating to proceedings supplementary to execution. Judgment was rendered against the appellant in said proceedings, and he alleges that the same was erroneous: First, Because the affidavit which was filed as a basis for the order summoning him to appear did not state that an execution had been issued upon the judgment. We do not think it is necessary that the affidavit should state that an execution had been issued. The statute provides that after the issuing or return of an execution, etc., upon proof by affidavit or otherwise to the satisfaction of the, judge, that any person or corporation has any property of said judgment debtor, or is indebted to him in an amount exceeding fifty dollars, the judge may require such person, or an officer of the corporation^ to appear, at a time and place specified, before him, or a referee appointed by him, and answer concerning the same. The affidavit required only goes to the proof of indebtedness to, or possession of, property of the judgment debtor. The judge would take judicial knowledge of the fact that an execution had been issued in his own court, and it would be unnecessary to make proof of that fact by affidavit. But in the statement of facts in this case it does not appear that an execution had been issued, and the judge certifies that all the material facts in relation to such proceedings are contained in such statement. An essential fact necessary to the jurisdiction of the court in this matter was the rendition of a valid judgment against the principal debtor, and the issuance of an execution thereon. Otherwise the court had no jurisdiction to make the order requiring the appellant to appear, and the appellant had no right to waive a jurisdictional matter in the premises. Such proceedings are in rem, whereby the execution creditor seeks to subject the property of the execution debtor to the satisfaction of his debt, and the requirements of the statute necessary to bring such property within the jurisdiction of the court must be complied with. McDonald v. Moore, 65 Iowa, 171 (21 N. W. Rep. 504).

At the hearing held in pursuance of such order the appellant testified as follows:

‘ ‘ Q. Mr. Hemrich, do you owe Mr. D. Stegman anything on a note or otherwise? If so, state fully. A. I signed a note for Stegman as trustee for the brewers here; not individually.

“Q. How much was that note for? A. It was for §6,-500 with $2,000 paid, which left a balance due on the note of $1,500.

£ £ Q. How much do you® still owe on that note ? A. $1,500.

££Q. When was it due ? A. On the fifteenth of February, 1892.

££Q. Do you remember, Mr. Hemrich, when that note was made whether there was anything said about its being made to Stegman, personally, or to Stegman’s order? A. I was under the impression at that time that something was said about it to be made to Stegman. Whether it was or not, I don’t know. I don’t want to swear to this point, because I am not positive about it.

‘ ‘ Q. Do you remember when this note was given, Mr. Hemrich? A. I can’t state; it was done at the same time this note was made.

“Q. Do you identify that note ? A. Yes, sir; it is my signature.

“Q. Was that note made to Stegman in all respects similar to this? A. I can only identify my own hand writing. I did not read the note, only so far as the amount, and could not swear whether it was negotiable or not. We spoke of it at the time it should be so. Whether it was made out that way or not, I don’t know.

‘£ Q. Where is that note now, if you know ? A. It was in the hands of one Trounce.

£ £ Q. Can you state, Mr. Hemrich, whether that note was a negotiable or non-negotiable note, definitely? A. No, I cannot state positively.

£ £ Q. And that is the only matter upon which you are indebted to Mr. Stegman in any way. A. Yes, sir.

£ £ Q. And that is as trustee. A. As trustee for a number of persons.

£ £ Q. Mr. Hemrich, did you sign that note as trustee, or sign it in your individual capacity ? A. There was nothing upon the note to show that it was signed as trustee; only my individual name appears upon the note. There is nothing on the note to indicate that it was done as trustee. ’ ’

There was no such admission in the testimony as would warrant the rendition of a judgment against the appellant. Before such a judgment can be rendered it must clearly appear that the person summofted has property belonging to the judgment debtor, or that he is indebted to him. In this case it did not appear that Mr. Hemrich owed this debt individually, although he signed the note individually, but he claimed that his liability thereon was as a trustee for others. Furthermore, it appears that the note was not then due (his testimony was given January 23, 1892), and that it was not in the hands of the judgment debtor, but in the hands of a third party not before the court. Upon this testimony the court had no authority to render any judgment against the appellant.

The judgment is reversed.

Dunbar, C. J., and Anders and Stiles, JJ., concur.

Hoyt, J., concurs in the result.