Farmers Mutual Insurance v. Sisk, 203 Ark. 404, 156 S.W.2d 895 (1941)

Dec. 22, 1941 · Arkansas Supreme Court · 4-6542
203 Ark. 404, 156 S.W.2d 895

Farmers Mutual Insurance Company v. Sisk.

4-6542

156 S. W. 2d 895

Opinion delivered December 22, 1941.

J. FI. Carmichael, Jr., for appellant.

W. V. Thompson and R. W. Tucker, for appellee.

Grieein Smith, C; J.

John M. Sisk owned a bouse in wbicli bis son, L. N. Sisk, bad furniture. Henry Hudson is soliciting agent at Batesville for Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company. Tbe company’s borne office is in Little Rock. Prior to February 24, 1940, a single policy of fire insurance for $500 bad been issued on tbe bouse and contents, and delivered to John M. Sisk. It was unsatisfactory, and in lieu two policies were written, one insuring tbe bouse for $300, tbe other, for $200, covering L. N. Sisk’s personal effects.

Hudson delivered these policies to John M. Sisk. Before delivery, tbe agent bad written, asking that tbe premiums be paid. Not having received a response, Hud*405son called upon Sisk and discussed -with, him the question of payment. Sisk had stated lie could not settle at once. After assuring Hudson that he would go to Batesville and pay, Sisk (according to Hudson) said, “You are not afraid of [my credit] are you?” Hudson replied, “Not a bit in the world; I wish I bad $500 on you. ’ ’ Sisk then said: “You will just have to wait, and I will be up there in a day or two. ’ ’1

Hudson then returned to Batesville, leaving the policies with Sisk. This occurred during the latter part of February. The fire was March 2.

Subsequent to the fire Douglas Bradley, appellant’s assistant manager, went to Batesville and in company with Hudson called on Sisk. Hudson testified that “. . . Mr. Bradley fixed the property at a total loss, I suppose. Everything was burned down and all the property in the house was destroyed.”

L. M. Sisk, prior to trial, went to California, and was not a witness. John M. Sisk testified that from his knowledge of household furniture and equipment, market value of the personal property destroyed was $300. However, he further testified that salvage amounted to $40 or $50. This was what he termed “a rough estimate.” It was objected that this was not competent. In view of the fact that the policies had been recently written and that Hudson personally inspected the house and its contents, we will not disturb the jury’s finding that the loss was $160. This estimate seems to have been arrived at by taking the face value of the policy and crediting it with $40 of salvage, as testified to by Sisk.

*406The jury rendered a verdict for $250 covering John M. Sisk’s loss. There is no evidence from which less than a total loss could be found. Hudson testified that the house was completely destroyed. Appeals questioning the judgment for $160 in favor of L. M. Sisk, and that for $250 in favor of John M. Sisk were prayed. There are also prayers for appeals from the court’s action in refusing to award penalty and attorney’s fees in each case.

From its verdict for L. M. Sisk, the jury deducted $3.80, representing unpaid premium. Likewise, from the award to John M. Sisk, $5.70 was deducted for premium. These charges were proper. However, we find no basis for allowing John M. Sisk less than the face of his policy, after the premium has been paid. But that question is not presented; neither is the allegation that the court erred in not allowing penalty and- attorney’s fee. Plaintiffs below (appellees here) were granted an appeal, which was not perfected within ninety days. The defendant’s appeal was lodged more than ninety days after the court overruled motions for new trials; but plaintiffs did not pray a cross-appeal to this court. Hence, their assignments must be treated as having been abandoned. Dent v. Adkisson, ante, p. 176, 157 S. W. 2d 5.

The remaining question is whether venue was in Independence county. We think it was. The Co-operative Union (appellant) was formed under authority of Act 14, approved February 11, 1897, as amended by Act 302, approved March 24, 1917; Act 91, approved February 19, 1919; and Act 134, approved March 14, 1929. (Pope’s Digest, § 7943, et seq.)

“Articles of Incorporation,” as printed on the policies,- and the by-laws, do not require that operations of the insurer be conducted in restricted territory; hence, it may function in any county of the state. Summons was issued by the clerk of Independence circuit court and served by the sheriff of Pulaski county upon a proper official of the insurance organization in Little Rock.2

*407We do not find any statute restricting venue to the county in which appellant’s principal- place of business is located. It is conceded that appellant has an ag’ent who maintains a place of business, or at least does business, at Batesville and throughout Independence county. The policy of insurance it delivers through the Batesville agency expressly states a corporate capacity. It was, therefore, subject to be sued in the manner shown.

Affirmed.