Bradford v. Higgins

47 N.W. 749, 31 Neb. 192, 1891 Neb. LEXIS 25
CourtNebraska Supreme Court
DecidedJanuary 20, 1891
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 47 N.W. 749 (Bradford v. Higgins) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Nebraska Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bradford v. Higgins, 47 N.W. 749, 31 Neb. 192, 1891 Neb. LEXIS 25 (Neb. 1891).

Opinion

' Cobb, Ch. J.

On February 4, 1888, the plaintiff in error filed his petition in the court below, alleging that on July 27, 1887, he entered into an oral contract with the defendant Grace E. Higgins, through her husband and agent, Charles S. Higgins, to furnish and deliver on lot 6 of block 197, of Omaha, certain lumber and materials for the erection of a barn and improvements on said lot.

2. In pursuance of which, between July 27 and December 10 following, he furnished and delivered on said lot, owned in fee by said Grace E. Higgins, lumber and materials to the amount of $2,002.95.

3. The defendant Charles S. Higgins is the husband of Grace E. Higgins.

[194]*1944. On January 13, 1888, within four months from the delivery of said lumber and material, the plaintiff made an account in writing of the same, under oath, and filed the same in the office of register of deeds of Douglas county, claiming a mechanic’s lien therefor on said lot and the buildings and improvements thereon.

5. That the sum of $2,002.95, with interest from December 10 last, is due and unpaid on said account.

6. That the original lien as recorded in the office of the register of deeds is hereto attached, marked Exhibit A.

That the following liens, attach to said premises:

The plaintiff prays judgment against the defendant Grace E. Higgins for the amount of his- lien with interest and costs, and that the liens against her said premises be marshalled, and that the plaintiff’s be declared a lien subject only to the mortgages of J. W. Squire, as trustee, and J. W. and E. L. Squire; that the premises be sold and the proceeds applied to the payment of plaintiff’s judgment.

Exhibit “A” is a copy of the plaintiff’s statement of lumber and material furnished Grace E. Higgins, under verbal contract through Charles S. Higgins, from July 27 to October 10, 1887, on lot 6, block 197, Omaha, to be used in the construction of a barn, and improvements thereon, amounting to $2,002.95, all of which was so used, and the amount stated, with interest from the latter date, is due; that he took from Charles S. Higgins, for a por[195]*195tion of the lumber and materials, three notes aggregating $1,500, taken on the dates of the same, except that of November 16, 1887, due in sixty days, for $500, is a renewal of a similar note due at that date, none of which were paid, and that, therefore, there is due the sum of $2,00-2.95, with, interest. Statement under oath, January 11, 1888: First note, $500, dated November 28, 1887, due in forty days, with interest at ten per cent; second, $500, dated November 28, 1887, due in eighty days, with interest at ten per cent; third, $500, dated November 16, 1887, due in sixty days, with interest at ten per cent.

The defendant Grace E. Higgins answered, denying each and every allegation in the petition contained charging an indebtedness or personal liability on her part to the plaintiff, and denying that the plaintiff furnished to her any material or lumber for the erection or improvement of any barn or other building, between July 27 and December 10, 1887, or at any other time,, or for any amount; but admitting that on July 27,1887, she was the owner in fee of said lot, and that Charles S. Higgins is her husband. She admits the mortgage liens set forth, and denies the mechanics’ liens in the petition charged against her said premises, and sets up that her husband, C. S. Higgins, is indebted in various sums to different parties on account of materials and labor furnished in the erection of a barn on said lot, but has no information as to the amounts thereof, and alleges that the same are the personal, individual, and separate indebtedness of her husband, and that any material and labor furnished for the erection of said barn and improvement were furnished wholly on his-personal credit and not otherwise.

The defendant Charles S. Higgins answered, denying that his co-defendant, Grace E. Higgins, his wife, either through himself, as her agent, or otherwise in any manner contracted, or on any account, with the plaintiff, to furnish lumber or materials for' said lot in the city of Omaha, on [196]*196July 27, 1887, or at any other time; and denying every allegation in the petition charging indebtedness on the part of Grace E. Higgins to the plaintiff or to other co-defendants, but admitting that on his own personal account, through his agent, George 'Waddell, he did purchase materials and lumber of the plaintiff in a sum exceeding $1,500, but as to the exact sum he has no knowledge; that he gave his personal notes, aggregating the sum of $1,500, as stated in the Exhibit A to the petition, and that the note of November 16, 1887, due in sixty days, is a renewal note, as stated in said exhibit, and are true copies. He denies that the lumber and material were delivered on said lot, admits that Grace E. Higgins was the owner in fee, and alleges that the plaintiff extended credit to him for all materials and lumber sold for said lot, and that any indebtedness therefor is the personal and individual indebtedness of himself, and not of his wife. He denies the allegations of the 4th, 5th, and 6th counts of the petition; admits the 7th and 8th, and denies all others except the 19th; or, in effect, he admits the mortgages and denies the mechanics’ liens as stated in the petition.

On January 9, 1889, there was a trial to the court in which the following entry was made:

“In this cause, the action of the United States National Bank of Omaha against Grace E. Higgins and others, having heretofore been consolidated herewith, came on to be heard upon the petition of Louis Bradford, the separate answers and cross-petitions of the defendants, Grace E. and Charles S. Higgins, J. W. Squire, trustee, J. W. & E. L. Squire, J. J. Johnson & Co., John Svacina, United States National Bank, George W. Rogers, Paxton & 'Vierling Iron Works, Omaha Paving Company, John Rowe & Co., Andrew Moyer, Scball & Refregier, Barbed" Wire & Iron Works, Charles S. Carter, Himebaugh & Taylor, I. & I. Hodgson, A. L. Strang & Co., and Fred. W. Gray, the replies” of the plaintiff and the defendants, and [197]*197the evidence, and a jury being waived, except as to the issues between Gray and Grace E. and Charles S. Higgins, was submitted to the court, and the court finds:
“ I. That Grace E. Higgins has been at all times referred to the owner in fee of the real estate and premises mentioned and described, lot 6, block 197, in Omaha.
“II. That in the erection of the barn and improvements of said lot, Charles S. Higgins was not the agent of his wife, and none of the materials or labor mentioned were furnished to or for her.
“ III. That on June 4, 1887, Grace E. and Charles S. Higgins executed for borrowed money the note for $10,000, and -the mortgage upon the lot as set up in the answer of J. W. Squire, trustee; that Grace E. Higgins borrowed the said sum from J. W. Squire, trustee, for the purpose of paying off an incumbrance and to erect a barn upon the lot; that on said date said Squire entered into an arrangement with Grace E.

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Related

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178 N.W. 922 (Nebraska Supreme Court, 1920)

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Bluebook (online)
47 N.W. 749, 31 Neb. 192, 1891 Neb. LEXIS 25, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bradford-v-higgins-neb-1891.