The proper and ordinary method of indorsement is by writing upon the back of the instrument;4 an indorsement, however, may be made on the face of the note.5 In case of two indorsements on opposite ends of a note, the presumption is that the payee is first indorser, regardless of the respective position of the names.6 The indorsement must be on the instrument itself;7 a separate writing may constitute an assignment, but not an indorsement.8

An indorsement must be in writing,9 but no particular form of words is required.10 In Herring vs. Woodhill 11 the Court said on this point:

"The first point made in this case is, that the note was not properly indorsed, the transfer being on the face of the note. Literally, indorsement means a writing indorsed upon the back of the bill or note. But it is well established, that though such is its import, it may be made on the face of the bill, and numerous indorsements may be made on a separate paper called an allonge. Yarborough vs. Bank of England, 16 East, 12; Rex vs. Bigg, 1 Strange, 18; Story on Promissory Notes, sec. 121; Gibson vs. Powell, 6 Howard (Miss.), 60. And any form is sufficient which manifests an intention to transfer the note. Morris vs. Bird, 11 Mass., 436.

4 Kern vs. Hazlerigg, 11 Ind., 443;

71 Am. Dec, 360. 5 Shain vs. Sullivan, 106 Cal., 208; Herring vs. Woodhill, 29 I11., 92.

6 Arnat vs. Symards, 85 Pa. St., 99. 7 Williams vs. Osborn, 75 Ind., 280.

8 National Bank vs. Leonard, 91

Ga., 805. 9 Syracuse Third Nat. Bank vs.

Clark, 23 Minn., 263.

10 Douglass vs. Wilkeson, 6 Wend.

(N. Y.), 637.

11 29 I11., 92, 99.

'This indorsement is in the form of a guaranty, and is sufficient to convey and transfer the title in the note to the holder as an indorsement. Heaton vs. Hurlbert, 3 Scam., 489; Partridge vs. Davis, 20 Verm., 499. This principle is well established."

The indorsement must be signed by the indorser/2 but no particular form of signature is necessary. A stamped indorsement is sufficient,13 as are also the initials14 or mark of the indorser.15 Even figures written upon the back of a bill or note have been held to be a sufficient indorsement.16