Hanger & Ashley v. Dodge, 24 Ark. 208 (1866)

Dec. 1866 · Arkansas Supreme Court
24 Ark. 208

Hanger & Ashley vs. Dodge.

Where the plaintiff, in a suit by petition in debt pursues the form prescribed by the statute, and sets out a sealed obligation purporting to be executed by the defendant by his agent, it is sufficient on demurrer -without other allegation of the authority of the agent.

Appeal from Pulaski Circuit Court.

Hon. Liberty Bartlett, Circuit Judge.

Clare, Williams & Martiít for appellants.

Stillwell & Wassell for appellee.

*209Mr. Justice ComptoN

delivered the opinion of the court.

This was a proceeding by petition in debt, instituted by R. L. Dodge against Hanger & Ashley.

The petition is in the usual form, and sets out a copy of the writing obligatory sued on, which is as íollows:

$165.50. Little Rocíe, April 23,1860.

' One day after date we promise to pay to the order of R. L. Dodge, one hundred and sixty-five 50-100 dollars, with interest at the rate of ten per cent, per annum from and until paid for value received.

HANGER & ASHLEY, [seal.J

By J. O. Ashley, “

A demurrer to the petition was overruled iu the court below, and Hanger & Ashley declining to make further defence, judgment was rendered against them, from which they have prosecuted their appeal to this court.

' It is insisted that the demurrer should have been sustained, because it was not alleged in the petition that J. O. Ashley had authority to execute the writing obligatory. The petition alleges that Dodge “is the legal owner of a sealed note against the defendants,” and then follows a copy of the instrument which, on its face, purports to be the obligation of Hanger & Ashley, executed ■ by one who purports to be their agent. Admitting these allegations to be true, as the demurrer does, they are sufficient in a proceeding like this, to show a liability on the part of Hanger & Ashley. The statute prescribes the form of the petition, and in this case the pleader has strictly complied with its requirements.

Rinding no error in the record the judgment must be affirmed with costs.