Harper v. Thurlow

270 S.W. 607, 168 Ark. 491, 1925 Ark. LEXIS 161
CourtSupreme Court of Arkansas
DecidedApril 6, 1925
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 270 S.W. 607 (Harper v. Thurlow) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Harper v. Thurlow, 270 S.W. 607, 168 Ark. 491, 1925 Ark. LEXIS 161 (Ark. 1925).

Opinion

Humphreys, J.

This is a suit to obtain specific performance of an alleged contract for the sale and purchase of the Ey2 of the N'W^ of section 26, township, 1 south, range 14 west, in Saline County, Arkansas. The contract, if made, was entered into by correspondence between one of the appellants, J. C. Harper, and appel-lee, M. J. Thnrlow. M. J. Thnrlow owned the land, and, at the time of the correspondence, -resided in Toledo, Ohio, and appellee at or near Bryant, Arkansas. The correspondence between the parties constituting the alleged contract is as follows:

“Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1922. “Mr. J. C. Harper, Bryant, Ark.
“Dear sir: I saw your inquiry regarding the land I own near Bryant. In answer will say that if you want the place you can have it on the following terms: Price, $2,100, cash or terms. Would sell same on land contract $500 down, and $160 every six months, giving deed to same when four payments have been made. That would give you deed when $1,140 is paid. "Would then make mortgage for the balance. In that way you would have five years to pay for same. Will accept 6 per cent, per year as interest on the balance unpaid, paying the interest every six months. In that way it will get less each time. My address is 16 Victoria Apts., 21st and Monroe Streets, Toledo, Ohio. “M. J. Thurlow.”
“Bryant, Ark., Dee. 21, 1922.
“Mr. M. J. Thurlow,
“Dear sir: In reply to your letter of Nov. 6 in regard to your land at Bryant, will say that I think you are a little high in your price. Other land is only bringing $20 per acre. All ’round here realty is a good bit,off to what it was, as well as all other things in country. Let me hear just what is the best you will do on the terms you mentioned in your letter, and I will see what I can do.
“Tours truly,
“J. C. HARPER.”
“Little Bock, Ark., Feb; 7, 1923.
“Mr. M. J. Thurlow,
“341 West Del. Ave., Toledo, Ohio.
“Dear sir: I have found a purchaser for your land, who has turned over to me $10 to bind the trade, and he asked me to have you send an abstract so that he can examine the title. He understands that, in accordance with your letter of November 6, 1922, the price of the land is to be $2,100, to be paid as follows: $500 cash and $160 every six months thereafter until paid in full, the deferred payments to bear interest at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum. He further understands that you will give him a. deed when he has paid in $1,100 altogether. Please prepare deed and send it with draft attached to some bank in Little Bock, with instructions as to when to deliver the deed. It is my understanding that the land is as follows: East one-half (E]4) northwest quarter (NW%), section twenty-six, township, one (1), south of range fourteen (14) west.
“Yours very truly,
“J. C1. Harper.”
“Toledo, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1923. “Mr. J. 0. Harper, Bryant, Ark.
“Dear sir: I am in receipt of yonr letter of recent date, stating you had found a buyer for me, but you did not state who the buyer was. You also state that you have accepted a deposit from the prospective buyer to bind the bargain. I was under the impression that you were the one who wanted the land, and presumed that, in all probability, you wanted to make a farm of the place on which to raise crops. However, that part would not make any difference to me. The terms I made for yon last November were to sell to you on a contract, the deed to be signed and sent to you when you 'had paid $1,100. That means just the same as depositing the deed in a bank, for you would have your contract recorded, and that contract would call for a deed when the $1,100 is paid. It would be necessary for me to know who the prospective buyer is in order to make the proper contract, as his name would be entered thereon and signed by he and his wife (if married). The abstract would go forward to the England Loan Company of Little Rock, as that is the only bank I know there. It would be necessary to give them a receipt for same. I will do nothing further until I hear from you again. Yours truly,
“M. J. Thuklow, “341 W. Delaware, Toledo, Ohio.”
“Feb. 26,1923.
“Mr. M. J. Thurlow, Toledo, Ohio.
“Dear sir: Your letter of the 15th instant rec’d, and in reply will say that I will buy the1 land on the terms you mention, of $500 cash and $160 every six months, with interest at six per cent., until the $2,100 is paid, you to deliver deed to me when four payments have been made, or when you have rec’d $1,140. You can make contract to J. C. Harper (single), and send all papers to the England National Bank at Little Rock, and if, upon examination by my attorney, are found to be 0:. K., contract will be signed and the $500 paid at once.
“Yours truly,
“J. 'C. Harper.”
“Bryant, Ark., 5-19-23.
“Mr. M. J. Thurlow,
“Dear sir: On Feb. 26, 1923, I sent yon a letter accepting yonr offer on yonr land at Bryant, and have not had any reply from yon. I would like to hear from yon by return mail, what yon intend to do, as I am still waiting on yon for a reply. Would thank yon very much if yon would let me know.
“Yours truly,
“J. C. Harper, “Address Bryant.’’
“Toledo, Ohio, May 26, 1923.
“Mr. J. C. Harper,
“Bryant, Ark.
“Dear sir: Just received yonr letter, and in answer would say that' I was under the impression that I answered your last letter long ago, telling yon that I was unable to complete the deal, as another party has made a better offer, and Mrs. Thurlow was not willing to attach her signature to the proposition I made to you.
“Yours truly,
“M. J. Thurlow.”

After the institution of the suit a settlement was attempted through correspondence, but, as it was not effected, it is unnecessary to incorporate the letters which passed between the parties and lawyers relative thereto. It appears in the correspondence relative to the settlement that J. A. Shipton, the other appellant, was interested in the purchase of the land with J. C. Harper.

The trial court dismissed appellant’s bill for the want of equity, from which decree an appeal has beeu duly prosecuted to this court.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Old Republic Ins. v. Martin
320 S.W.2d 266 (Supreme Court of Arkansas, 1959)
Provident Life of Chattanooga, Tn. v. Grabiel
57 S.W.2d 824 (Supreme Court of Arkansas, 1933)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
270 S.W. 607, 168 Ark. 491, 1925 Ark. LEXIS 161, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/harper-v-thurlow-ark-1925.