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which are those held and owned by the plaintiffs. .On 1st of July, 1890, the defendant the AshevIlle Street-RaihvayCompany exeplaced upon the market for sale another issue of bonds, cuted amounting to $100,000, and, to secure payment of tbe same, executed and delivered a second mortgage upon all its property and franchises to tbe Atlantic Trust Company. Only 74 of .said mortgage bonds .were ever sold, and of this number W. A. White' and A. M. White were lllrgehoiders. On the 29th of April, 1898, because of default made in the payment of the interest tben due on said bonds, the Atlantic 'trust Company, as trustee, brought suit in tbe United States circuit court against tbe Asheville Street-Railway Company and the Asheville Light & Power Company, a corporation, wbose property had be'en secured by the Asheville· Street-Railway Company, for the purpose of foreclosing said mortgage or deed of trust, entitled "Atlantic Trust Company, Trustee, vs. Asbeville Street-Railway Company and the Asheville Light & Power Company." In this suit a decree was rendered by which all the property of the Asheville StreetRailwa.y Company, as Gonveyed in and by second mortgage, was sold, and purchased by A. M. Wbite, "purchasing in behalf of himself and his associates, forming a corporation to be known as the Asbeville Street-Railroad Company, under section 697, c. 16, Code N. C." This sale was confirmed, and a deed duly executed and delivered to the said Asheville Street-Railroad Company by the commissioner designated by the court to make such sale. By the terms of said sale, as expressly set forth in the said order of sale, the decree of confirmation, and the said deed, the said defendant the Asheville Street-Railroad C<lmpany took all the said property, SUbject "to the lien of the twentysix thousand dollars of bonds secured by the mortgage or deed of trust executed by the Asheville Street-Railway Company to the Atlantic Trust Company, as trustee, dated July 2, 1888," which is the first mortgage. There has never been any decree of foreclosure in this or any other court as to said first mortgage or deed of trust. Shortly after, the defendant the Asheville Street-Railroad Company went into possession of the said property; and on or about the 7th of January, 1895, the sheriff of Buncombe county, by virtue of an execution issuing from the superior court of said county upon a certain judgment therein docketed in favor of one Sarah Cawfield against the Asheville Street-Railway Company, sold to one C. A. Moore all the franchises and property hitherto conveyed to the Asheville Street-Railroad ComJ?any by A. T. Summey, commissioner, and put the said Moore in possession thereof. Immediately thereafter the Asheville Street-Railroad Company brought suit in the superior court of Buncombe county against the said C. A. Moore for the possession of the said property, alleging that the sale was irregular, fraudulent, and void. Pending this suit one J. E. Rankin was appointed receiver of all the property in controversy between the parties, and is now acting in such capacity. The suit of the Asheville Street-Railroad Company against C. A. Moore is still pending in the said superior court. In September. 1892, defendant GeorgeB. Moffat purchased from C. A. Moore and Sarah Cawfield the Cawfield judgment, and the claim of title of the lSaid Sarah Cawfield and Charles A. Moore, paying therefor the sum
LANCASTER V. ASHEVILLE ST. RY. CO.
131
of $3,250. Deeds were executed by the said C. A. Moore and wife and Sarah Cawfield to Moffat conveying all interest that the said 1100re and Cawfield had in the said property or franchises of the Asheville Street-Railroad Company. The defendant Moffat is a son-inlaw of William A. White. After 'the purchase of this judgment and claim of title from Moore and Cawfield by Moffat, no efforts appear to have been made on the part of the Asheville Street-Railroad Company or the Whites or the said George B. Moffat to secure a final judgment in the cause pending in the superior court entitled "The Asheville Street-Railroad Company v. C. A. Moore." Nor has the said Rankin been discharged as receiver of such company. The judgment of Sarah Cawfield against the Asheville Street-Railroad Company, under which Moore claims to have purchased, was recovered for a personal injury, and, by virtue of a North Carolina statute, is a lien paramount upon the property of the Asheville Street-Railroad Company. Coupons for the interest due July 1, 1895, upon bonds held by the plaintiffs, I.Jancaster and Martin, were promptly presented for payment at the office of the Atlantic Trust Company, in the city York, but payment was refused; the reason assigned being, of "No funds." All the coupons maturing since July 1, 1895, are unpaid. After the purchase of the property and franchises of the Asheville Street-Railwaj7 Company there was a reorganization, the new company being known and designated as the Asheville Street-Railroad Company. Of the $100,000 bonds issued, $26,000 thereof were set apart to take up and redeem the outstanding first mortgage bonds of the Asheville Street-Railway Company, and $23,000 to take up and redeem all outstanding receiver's certificates; and the payment of both certificates and bonds was made a liability upon, and assumed by, said railroad company, both in its decree of sale and in the deed of conveyance. On the 18th of April, 1898, the plaintiffs made a written demand upon the Atlantic Trust Company that they foreclose said deed of trust in accordance with the terms of said instrument, accompanying said request with an indemnitj7 bOnd. The Atlantic Trust Company declined to do so, alleging as a reason for such refusal that a majority of the bondholders had not joined in such request for foreclosure, as set out in the mortgage executed Julj7 2, 1888. The mortgage referred to contained the following provisions, viz.: "In case default shall be made in the payment at maturity of the principal money hereby secured, or any part thereof, and shall continue for a period of six months, then the said party of the second part and its successors is and are, upon a written request of a majority of the holders of such bonds as shall then be outstanding, authorized and empowered to enter Into and take possession of the property hereby conveyed." "And In case of the default In the payment- of either the principal or the interest of said bonds,or any part of either, as either become due, and such default continuing for the period of six months, then the party of the second part, at the written request of the holders of a majority of' the outstanding bonds, accompanied by an indemnity as hereinbefore provided, shall, with or without entry, and in its discretion, sell. the property hereby conveyed. - - -"
The plaintiffs ask: First. For a writ of injunction restraining and enjoining the defendants the Asheville Street-Railway Company, the firm of ·W. A. & A. M. 'White, its individual members, and George B.
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90 FEDERAL REPORTER.
Moffat from in any way disposing of any of the property hereinafter mentioned, and from proceeding in any manner in the cause entitled the "Asheville Street-Railroad Company v. Charles A. Moore," now pending in the superior conrt, Buncombe county, until the further orders of tI¥s court. Second. For the appointment of a receiver, with full power and authority on the part of such receiver to manage and operate the said Asheville Street-Railroad Company under the directions of the court. Third. For judgment against the defendants the Asheville Street-Railway Company, W. A. White, A. M. White, and Alfred T. White, individually, and as composing the firm of W. A. & A. M. White, and in favor of George W. Lancaster, for the sum of $4,000, with interest thereon at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, payable semiannually, from January 1, 1895, and in favor of Jeanette H. Martin for the sum of $2,000, with interest thereon at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, payable semiannually, from January 1, 1895, and for costs. Fourth. For a' decree of sale of properties conveyed in the 'first mortgage described in the bill of complaint. Fifth. That the deeds executed by C. A. Moore and wife and Sarah Cawfield to the defendant George B. Moffat be declared fraudulent and void as to plaintiffs; that the said defendant Moffat be declared to hold said property only in trust for the benefit of plaintiffs, and other creditors in like relation, according to their respective interests. Sixth. For such other relief as to the court may seem fit, and as may be necessary to fUlly protect and enforce their rights and equities. Upon the oral argument, counsel for the defendants suggested a question as to the jurisdiction of the court to hear this cause, and cited Smith v. Lyon, 133 U. S. 315, 10 Sup. Ct. 303. The case cited is applicable to the defendants W. A. White, A. M. White, and Alfred T. White, individually, and as trading under the firm name of W. A. & A. M. White; and the action is dismissed as to them. It has no bearing, however, in so far as the other defendants are concerned. The case of Smith v. Lyon involved only the rights of parties to personal actions, residing in different districts, to sue and be sued, and was entirely unaffected by the act of 1888 (25 Stat. 433), which deals withdefebdants only in local actions, and ex· pressly reserves jurisdiction if the suit be one to enforce a lien or claim upon real estate or personal property. American F. L. M' Co. v. Benson,33 Fed.. 456; Carpenter v. Talbot, Id. 537; Ames v. Holderbaum, 42 Fed. 341; Wheelwright v. Transportation Co., 50 Fed. 709; McBee v. Railway Co., 48 Fed. 243; Spencer v. StockYards Co., 56 Fed. 741. In line. with these cases, and almost directly in point, are decisions of the supreme court of the United States. Vide Goodman v. Niblack, ·102 U. S. 556; Mellen v. Iron Works, 131 U. S. 352, 9 Sup. Ct. 781. See. also, Greeley v. Lowe, 155 U.S. 58, 15 Sup. Ct. 24, and Dick.v. Foraker, 155 U. S. 411, 15 Sup. Ct. 124, both of which decisions appear to be directly in point. This question of jurisdiction being settled, the next is, are the plaintiffs entitled.to the appointment of a receiver? The plaintiffs having abandoned in the argument all charges of fraud, collusion, and bad faith contained in their bill, and admitting that these chargee were unfounded, the case must be considered as one involving no
133
question of either fraud or collusion. And, if this admission had not been made by plaintiffs' counsel, there is no evidence whatever tending to support any charges of fraud or collusion against the defendants the Whites, the Asheville Street-Railway Company, the Atlantic Trust Company, or George B. Moffat. The exercise of the extraor· dinary power of a chancellor in appointing a receiver, or in granting writs of injunction or ne exeat, is an exceedingly delicate and responsible duty, to be discharged by the court with the utmost caution, and only under such special or peculiar circumstances as demand summary relief. It is a peremptory measure, whose effect, temporarily at least,is to deprive a defendant in possession of his property before a final judgment or decree is reached by the court, determining the rights of the parties. And since it is a serious interference with the rights of the citizen, without the verdict of a jury, and before a regular hearing, it should only be granted for the prevention of manifest wrong and injury. The principal grounds upon which courts of equity grant their extraordinary aid by the appointment of receivers pendente lite are that the person seeking the relief has shown at least a probable interest in the property, and that there is danger of its being lost unless a receiver is allowed; the element of danger being an important consideration in the case. A remote or past danger will not suffice as a ground for the relief, but there must be a well-grounded apprehension of immediate injury. 5 Thomp. Corp. § 6823; High, Rec. § 8; Kennedy v. Railroad Co., 2 Dill. 448, Fed. Oas. No. 7,706; Hannav. Hanna, 89 N. C. 71; Rollins v. Henry, 77 N. C. 467; Bryan v. Moring, 94 X C. 698; Moore v. Mining Co., 104 N. C. 541, 10 S. E. 679. The court will not act upon a possible danger only. The danger must be great and imminent, and demanding immediate .. relief. Gause v. Perkins, 56 N. C. 181; McCormick v. Nixon, 83 N. C. 113. Nor will the court interfere by injunction merely to prevent a cloud upon the title. Hutaff v. Adrian, 112 N. C. 260, 17 S. E. 78; Browning v. Lavender, 104 N. C. 69, 10 S. E. 77; Cunningham v. Bell, 83 N. C. 328; Southerland v. Harper, ld. 200. It is the duty of the court, in passin.g upon a motion for an injunction or the appointment of a receiver, to consider the consequences of such action upon both parties; and it ought not to interpose unless it is satisfied that the property is being mismanaged and in danger of being lost, or that it is in the possession of an insolvent or unfit trustee. Venable v. Smith, 98 N. C. 523, 4 S. E. 514. There is not an iota of testimony that the property of the Asheville StreetRailroad Company is being mismanaged, or that it is in danger of being lost, or that it is in the possession of an unfit or incapable trustee. On the contrary, it is conceded by the plaintiffs' counsel that there has been marked and rapid enhancement of the value of the property under the management of J. E. Rankin, and it is also conceded that he has proven a most capable and competent reo ceiver. Nor is there any evidence that the defendant George B. Moffat purchased the Moore and Cawfield claims adversely to the railroad company, or that there was the slightest collusion between the defendant Moffat and the Whites to hinder, delay, or defraud
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90 FEDERAL REPORl'ER.
the plaintiffs, or any other persons interested. On the contrary, the said defendant Moffat declares "that it is absolutely and un· qualifiedly untrue that there is or ever has been any collusion whatever. between me and the firm of W. A. & A. M. White, or any member thereof, and that it has never been, and is not now, my intention to avail myself of the judgment and title acquired by me in ordel· to. assert the paramount lien which was asserted thereunder by the said Cawfield and Moore, unless lshall become satisfied that the company would be unable to pay me my advances and interest." The defendant Moffat moreover declares in his affidavit filed in this cause "that I have been and am at aU times now ready and willing to satisfy said judgment of record, and to assign to said railroad company my claim of title, whenever such company shall pay to me my advances, interest, and expenses." Kor is there any evidence that there has been any fraud or collusion between the Atlantic Trust Company and the Whites, either as a firm or as individuals, by which a foreclosure of the first mortgage bonds has been prevented. On the contrary, the Atlantic Trust Company have declared their willingness to foreclose the first mortgage bonds whenever requested to do so by the majority of the holders of the first mortgage bonds, as set out in the mortgage executed by the Ashe· ville Street·Railway Company to the Atlantic Trust Company July 2, 1888. And it also appears in the proof that the Whites, as a firm, are not owners of a majority of the first mortgage bonds of the Asheville Street·Railway Company, as alleged in the plaintiffs' bill. On the contrary, many of the first mortgage bondholders "are not known, and are not parties to this proceeding. The holders of the receiver's certificates and judgments against the Asheville .. Street Railway are entitled to liens prior to the bonds of 1888. Then, too, there are stockholders and bondholders of the defendant street-railway company, whose interests in this property are large. All of these are entitled to be heard before a receiver is appointed, who may possibly put their securities in peril. Ambler v. Choteau, 107 U. S. 586, 1 Sup. Ct. 556. While it is true that the plaintiffs, Lancaster and Martin, have not received any interest since July 1, 1895, it does not appear that the nonpayment of the said interest has occurred because of any disposition on the part of the said defendant, the Asheville Street-Railway Company, or of its present receiver, Mr. Rankin, to defeat, hirider, or delay the said Lancaster and Martin in the collection of the said interest. On the contrary, it appears from the affidavits of J. E. Rankin, the receiver, that when he assumed charge of the said property its condition was bad, and its entire equipment in a worn and unsatisfactory state; that he at once began to m:;tke in the property improvements of an extensive and permanent character, and has continued these improvements up to date; that all of these improvements were made with the earnings of said property while in his hands, and that he has appropriated the entire income of the property in the said improvements; that, of the gross income of the road,-something in excess of $180,000,-at least $40,000 has been expended in perma· nent improvements and enhancement in value of the said property.
LAXCASTER V. ASHEVILLE ST. RY. CO.
135
Mr. Alfred M. White, the largest bondholder, declares that Mr. Ran· kin's -receivership has inured greatly to the advantage of the road, and to the increased security of all the holders of liens thereon, including the first mortgage bonds of the old Asheville Street-Railway Company; that when Mr. Rankin was appointed receiver the physical condition of the road was at low ebb, and its earning power insufficient to pay maintenance, operation, and fixed charges; that under his management the physical condition and earning capacity have largely increased; and that the company will soon be in a condition, financially, to purchase for and in the name of the company the adverse claims now held by George B. Moffat. It does not appear upon the proofs submitted that the defendant the Asheville Street·Railroad Company or the defendant George B. Moffat is purposely delaying the settlement of the case of the Asheville Street-Railroad Company against Charles A. Moore, as insisted by plaintiffs' counsel, with a view of defeating, delaying, or hindering the plaintiffs in the collection of the interest on their bonds, and continuing the receivership of Rankin for such purpose. But, on the contrary, it appears that such settlement has not been made because the directors of the company have good reasons to believe that none of the security holders are in reality prejudiced by the receivership continuing until that time. The able counsel for the petitioners contend with some force that Moffat might become insolvent or die, and that in either of these events further complications would arise, thereby delaying, hindering, and perhaps defeat· ing entirely, the claims of petitioners. But courts cannot appoint receivers simply upon barely possible contingencies, or act upon possible dangers only. The danger must be great and imminent, and demand immediate relief. Moreover, in view of the affidavit filed by MOffat, it appears that neither his death nor insolvency could possibly affect the claims of the petitioners. This property is now in the hands of a receiver appointed by a state court, and one who it is conceded is a most capable and efficient officer. The appointment of another receiver to take charge of this property, and of suits which are now pending in another court, could only result in expensive and protracted litigation, thereby greatly depreciating the value of the property of the Asheville Street-Railroad Company, and making it the more impossible for such company to payoff and discharge its first mortgage bonds now outstanding. The application for a receiver is refused, and the injunction hitherto granted against the said Asheville Street-Railway Company, the Asheville Street-Railroad Company, and George B. Moffat is hereby dissolved. The defendants are entitled to their costs, to be taxed by the clerk of this court.
, 136
STAFFORDS et v. KING. (Circuit Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. November 1, 1898.) No.275. 1. JURISDICTION OF CIRCUIT' COURT OF ApPEALS-CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.
al.
, Under the rule that the circuit court of appeals cannot entertain an appeal from an order granting or refusing a temporary injunction, un· less it might have jur1sdlctjon of an appeal from the final decree in the suit, where. a suit. to restrain the cuttlnj; and removal of timber from land was based on an allegation of title In complainant, to which defendants pleaded that plaintiff's title had become forfeited under a state statute. and also title In defendants by adverse possession, an amended bill averring that the state statute was in contravention of the constitution of the United States does not deprive the circuit court of appeals of jurisdiction of an appeaJ, from an order granting an injunction. since the court, on final hearing, might sustain the title of the defendants on the ground 'of adverse possession, rendering a determination of the constitutional question unnecessary.l
2. INJUNCTION-ORDER OF DISSOLUTION-EFFECT OF SUPERSEDEAS.
While an appeal from an order dissolVing an Injunction, though with a supersedeas, does not reInstate the injunction in force, yet the court may, In its dIscretion, do so by an affirmative order; and where, in the order allowing the appeal and supersedeas, the court provided that pending' such appeal the order dlssolving the injunction should stand suspended and superseded, and after a decision by the circuit court of appeals af· firming the order of dissolution, but before its mandate had been sent to the circuit court, the cause and record were removed to the supreme court by a writ of certiorari, Le Injunction remains In force, and must be respected and enforced until final disposition of the case in the supreme court. An order granting an injunction against the cutting of timber, and appointing a receiver to take possession of timber already cut by defendants, although based on a holding that a former injunction to the same effect still remained in force, which claini, however, was contested, should require an injunction bond from the complainant and a bond from the receiver.
S.
SAME-INJUNCTION BOND-WHEN REQUIRED.
Appeal from the Circuit Court of the United States for the Dis· trict of West Virginia. This was an appeal from an order granting an injunction against the cutting of timber, and appointing a receiver to take possession of timber previously cut by defendants. Z. T. Vinson and John H. Holt, for appellants. M. F. Stiles, for appellee. Before SIMONTON, Circuit Judge, and MORRIS and BRAWLEY, District Judges. SIMONTON, Circuit Judge. This case comes up on appeal from the order and decree of the circuit court of the United States for the district of 'Vest Virginia, granting a temporary injunction. The case has been given under the act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stat. 826). It presents important questions of practice, and will be stated in detail. 1 As to jurisdiction of the circuit court of appeals, see note to Lau Ow Bewl; v. U. S., 1 C. C. A. 6.