Hollingsworth v. Snyder

2 Iowa 435

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: June 15, 1856
• Status: Published

Opinion

Woodward, J.

The deceased was landlord of the defendant, and caused a written notice to quit, to be served upon him. The service of this notice upon him, became essential in the trial. Such service was proved by the written return and affidavit of William Endsley, who does not appear, and is not claimed, to be an officer. Such mode of proof was objected to, but the objection was overruled by the court, and it was admitted without any other evidence thereof.

The court erred in admitting this notice upon this proof alone. The papers referred to, in section 1732, and chapter 133 of the Code, are not the private papers and notices between parties, in their ordinary business transactions, and which may relate to, or form the foundation of a right; but those intended in the statute, are such as pertain to, or may be required in, an action in court. If such a notice as the one in question, could be thus proved, so, also, might a notice of non-payment of a bill of exchange, or any demand which is necessary before suit, or before a right of action arises. It is true that the language of the statute is pretty broad, but the general subject matter of its provisions, the context, and the words “ notices required by law,” and all papers required to be served upon a party to an action or other proceeding, restrain us from an application of the provision to all the party’s acts in pais. The proof of all such matters, must be subject to the common rule relating to cross-examination.

The judgment of the District Court is reversed, and a procedendo will issue.