Koch v. Branch & Crookes

In February, 1864, the plaintiffs were engaged in mercantile business at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and purchased of one Hunt, an army beef contractor, a commissary voucher issued to him for $1,448. Soon after- its purchase it was stolen from the store, and the thief was never discovered. In February, 1865, one Richard Branch purchased the voucher of a stranger and forwarded it to his brother in St. Louis, one of the defendants, who collected it of the government and paid over the amount to his brother, charging no commissions. He was a partner of the firm of Branch, Crookes & Co., composed of…