McIlvain v. Day

3 Ky. Op. 591, 1869 Ky. LEXIS 510

• Court: Court of Appeals of Kentucky
• Decided: April 21, 1869
• Status: Published

Opinion

Opinion oF the Court by

Judge Williams:

This was a suit against Day upon a note executed to John D. Secrest and assigned by him to appellant, for $474.95, dated October 3, 1860, due November 5, thereafter, and purporting to be signed by ”E. Davis and Day,” to which Day responded that he was not the partner of Davis in the purchase of bogs from Secrest, for which he claimed the note bad been executed, nor bad be signed nor authorized anyone to sign bis name to said note, and denied bis responsibility in any manner for said sum. There were two mistrials, but the jury found for defendant on the third, and the court having adjudged accordingly, McIlvain seeks a reversal.

The evidence now objected to as illegal was permitted to go to the jury without either objection or exception so far as this record shows, it is, therefore, too late now to complain of it, nor could it be taken advantage of on a motion for a new trial. The note reads “I promise to pay,” and on its back is endorsed in Secrest’s handwriting ”Davis Note.” It is abundantly established that the name of Day after E. Davis is not in Day’s handwriting; the preponderating evidence is that there were 63 bogs sold by Secrest, averaging 150 pounds, at $5.25 per 100 pounds; that be took from Davis four bead of cattle at $210 as part pay for the bogs, and that two notes were given, the price of the cattle deducted from the first, and the other note given for half the amount of the bogs. The entire lot of bogs would only come to $496.12, the half of which is $248.06, or, if there bad been but one note given after deducting the price of the cattle it should have been for only $286.12.

Had there been 100 bogs, weighing 200 pounds each, as stated by Secrest, who was a witness, the entire amount would have been $1,100, and the note should have been for $550. If the bogs be estimated by the weight of evidence their value falls far below the amount of the note sued upon, if estimated by Secrest’s evidence the note sued on falls considerably below the proper value of the bogs.

The evidence authorized the jury to find that Day was not Davis’ partner in the purchase of the bogs; that the bogs had been paid for, and that the note in question was not given on the bog purchase; whilst on the other band it would have authorized a contrary finding.

As the evidence was conflicting, it was essentially a case for the decision of the jury, and as the court properly presented the issues, according to the evidence of each party, by instructions, we see no cause to disturb the finding or to reverse the judgment.

Wadsworth, for appellee. Cord, for appellant.

Wherefore, it is affirmed.