Jewett v. Whalen ( 1860 )

By the Oourt,

Cole, J.

This action was commenced in 1854, by a writ of attachment, &c. The declaration contains the usual indebatatus count, and two special counts, upon two promissory notes, which constituted the cause of action. Issue was made'up on the merits of the action, and there was also a traverse of the allegations of the affidavit, upon which the writ of attachment was issued. A jury trial was waived by the parties, and both the issue upon the traverse of the affidavit and on the merits, was tried at the same time by the circuit court, and judgment rendered upon the notes against the appellant

Upon an examination of the record we think the only question presented by it for our consideration is, whether the notes admitted in evidence were competent proof under the allegations of the declaration. The admissions oí these notes in evidence was objected to on the ground that they were signed and executed by Alexander Whalen, who was alone liable on them, and consequently did not tend to sustain an action brought against James Whalen. The material allegations of the two special counts of the declaration are, in substance, that the defendant, under the name and title of Alexander Whalen theretofore, &c., made the notes. The declaration is evidently framed upon the theory that the appellant, for the purpose of securing his own debt, gave his own notes, executing the same under the name of Alexander Whalen. We suppose there can be no doubt but that the appellant might bind himself by any signature he thought proper to adopt, providing it appeared that he used it ás a substitute for his own name. See Baker vs. Deming, 8 Adol. & Ellis, 94, 35 Eng. C. L., 335; Rodgers vs. Coit, 6 Hill, 322; Brown vs. The Butchers & Drover’s Bank, id., 443; The Merchant’s Bank vs. Spicer, 6 Wend., 443; Palmer vs. Stephens, 1 Denio, 472.

Whether the appellant, in executing. the notes, did adopt and use the name of Alexander Whalen as and for his own name, intending to bind himself by that designation, was a proper question to be determined by the court, upon all the evidence given on the trial. In the attitude of this case we are not called upon to look into the testimony. No motion was made for a new trial. There is some slight testimony in the case tending to show that the appellant, when buying goods in Chicago, represented or stated that his name was Alexander Whalen; and the evidence might have satisfied the circuit court,- that he gave these notes as his own. If he did he was undoubtedly liable upon them. The action clearly proceeds upon the idea that they were the appellant’s notes, and not the notes of any other person, and in that view of the case, and under the allegations of the declaration, we think they were competent testimony.

The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.

DixoN, C. J., having tried this case in the circuit court, took no part in the decision in the supreme court.