McClean v. Meyer

181 N.W. 917, 148 Minn. 337, 1921 Minn. LEXIS 529
Supreme Court of Minnesota·Decided March 18, 1921·No. No. 22,080·Published·Cited by 3 cases

Opinion

Quinn, J.

Thomas W. McClean was the owner of the land described in the complaint, consisting of 160 acres, subject to a first mortgage for $2,500, and a second mortgage for $750, and accrued interest to the amount of $273.53. On December 18, 1906, McClean, his wife joining, executed a deed of conveyance thereof to one Mathias Johnson. This deed contained a condition that, if the consideration of $273.53 therein expressed be paid to the grantee, his heirs or assigns, within one year, then the conveyance to be of no effect. On May 2, 1911, McClean met with sudden death, leaving him surviving his wife, the plaintiff Anna.McClean, and [338] eight minor children. His estate was never probated. In August, 1916, appellant went to Aberdeen, South Dakota, the home of such heirs, and there entered into the contract, Exhibit A herein set forth, and also procured quitclaim deeds conveying to him their interest in such real estate. The contract provides as follows:

“This agreement entered into this 2nd day of August, 1916, as follows: Whereas Annie McClean, widow of Thomas McClean, Eose Daly and hex husband, Walter Daly, Elizabeth McClean, and Anna McClean, having this day executed a quitclaim deed to the southwest quarter of section 18, in township 123, north of range 43, 'Stevens county, Minnesota, to Dan Meyer, which deed by reference thereto is made a part of this agreement, and the consideration therein expressed has referenec to the consideration herein, to-wit, that such interest as is quitclaimed in said deed, is done for the purpose of beginning an action to determine what interest the grantors may have in said premises, basing it upon the right of redemption of a deed recorded in Book 10 page 73 in the office of the recorder in Stevens county, Minnesota. That all the expense in bringing said action shall be borne by Dan Meyer, and all expense of every nature in probating the estate of Thomas W. McClean, deceased, so as to administer the estate and to secure in addition to the above named parties their interest, to also secure for the minor heirs, Edward, Ella, John, Earl and Hope McClean, such interest as each are entitled to under the laws of the State of Minnesota.

“Now, in consideration of this agreement to do all in the power of Dan Meyer to secure all the money he can for said parties and heirs, the said Dan Meyer agrees to file said deeds, begin said action if necessary and to secure from all parties interested a settlement without lawsuit if possible, but if not to begin suit to recover such interest and carry it to the supreme court if defeated in the lower court, and to leave nothing undone toward a careful, conscientious outcome of said action. But if the same is settled either before or after action is begun the amount of such offer and settlement shall first be submitted to all parties to the agreement, and they shall all agree to accept said proposed settlement, so that Dan Meyer alone cannot fix the amount of his own accord, but that it •shall be first agreed that he may so settle.

“When such sum is received, either by action or settlement, the ex[339] pense which, has lawfully been expended by Dan Meyer shall be deducted from that sum, and the remainder shall be divided equally, that is, Dan Meyer is to receive the one-half of the remainder for his compensation, and the remaining one-half to go to the parties hereto* the widow receiving the one-third and the children as provided by law the remainder.

“In consideration of the foregoing the said Dan Meyer accepts the trust herein given and agrees to do all said things, and the undersigned hereby appoint him for to do and act and account for such acts as above outlined for them.

“Signed this 2nd day of August, 1916, at Columbia Twp. Brown County, So. Dak.

Annie McClean.

“For herself and as the natural guardian for the minor heirs named herein.

Rose Daly.

Elizabeth McClean.

Anna McClean.

Dan Meyer.”

This action was brought to set aside such quitclaim deeds upon the ground that they were procured by fraud. The trial court made findings and ordered judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. From a judgment entered thereon defendant appeals.

It is urged that the court erred in granting a continuance of the trial after it was begun without a showing therefor, and that the proofs are not sufficient to support the findings and judgment. We do not concur in this contention. The court had full control of the calendar and it had under the circumstances full authority to adjourn the session, and was clearly within its discretion in continuing the trial.

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McClean v. Meyer, 181 N.W. 917, 148 Minn. 337, 1921 Minn. LEXIS 529 (Mich. 1921).

181 N.W. 917 (McClean v. Meyer) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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