Masson v. Saloy

Cole, J.

This is an appeal taken by B. Saloy, one of the defendants, from a judgment ordering the erasure of certain mortgages made by James E. Armor, on the property of plaintiffs.

James E. Armor, pretending to be the sole heir of Josephine Armor, deceased, caused himself to be put in possession of the property of her succession, by a judgment of the Second District Court, in April, 1854.

In June, 1854, Henry J. Masson, one of the plaintiffs, instituted suit in the Second District Court, as heir of Mrs. Armor, and claiming of James E. Armor the whole succession, alledging that the said Armor held the same fraudulently.

In July, 1855, there was judgment in favor of H. J. Masson, recognizing him as one of Mrs. Armor’s heirs, and declaring James E. Armor without any lights to said property.

An appeal was taken by Armor from this judgment, and subsequently to the appeal, on account of his inability to justify his security for a suspensive appeal, he abandoned all his pretensions, and made a quit claim, putting plaintiffs in possession of all the estate of Mrs. Armor, by notarial act.

Pending the suit of Masson v. Armor, for the recovery of the estate of Mrs. Armor, James E. Armor executed two mortgages on certain property belonging to the succession: one on the 20th November, 1854, in favor of J. McCormick, the interest of which is now in the defendant, and one on the 10th of January, 1855, in favor of defendant.

As these mortgages were executed on property claimed by Masson pending his suit to recover the same, they are without effect so far as he is concerned. C. C. 2427, 2428; Citizens' Bank v. J. E. Armor et al., 11 An. 468.

The allegation of fraud and collusion is not sustained by the evidence.

It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment be affirmed with costs.