Pine v. Callahan

71 P. 473, 8 Idaho 684, 1902 Ida. LEXIS 76

• Court: Idaho Supreme Court
• Decided: December 12, 1902
• Status: Published

Opinions

STOCKSLAGER, J.

— This is an appeal from the district court of Kootenai county. Erom the record we gather the facts as follows: July 17, 1901, John C. Callahan filed in the probate court of said county a petition asking for the probate of an instrument purporting to he the last will of John C. Brady, deceased. This instrument purported to dispose of the estate of deceased, appointed T. J. Purcell testamentary guardian of the only children (minors) of deceased, and named John C. Callahan executor of the will. August 14, 1901, Prank Pine, a nonresident of Idaho, filed in the probate court a petition asking to be appointed guardian ad litem for said children, for the purpose of contesting said will on behalf of said minor children. At the time of filing said petition Prank Pine was a resident of the state of Iowa. Prior to the last-mentioned date the testamentary guardian had been appointed and qualified as general guardian of the children, having been so made while the children were in Kootenai county, where they, with the testator, resided at the time of his death, on July 17, 1901. This petition was granted, and Pine was appointed guardian ad litem, over the objections of the general guardian. Thereupon Pine filed his petition, contesting said will on three grounds: 1. Want of testamentary capacity; 2. Endue and fraudulent influence of one T. J. Purcell, a priest of the Roman Catholic Church; 3. Failure to execute the same according to law. This petition was signed and verified in the state of Iowa. The second ground of contest was withdrawn, after which John C. Callahan, as executor and proponent, and T. J. Purcell, as general guardian, answered the petition, denying each and every allegation thereof. The canse was thereafter tried in prohate court before a jury, which rendered special findings adverse to the will upon each and all the issues presented, upon which verdict the court, after denying a motion for a new trial, rendered judgment refusing to admit the instrument to probate. Prom this judgment an appeal was taken to the district court by said Callahan, as executor, and Purcell, as guardian, both as to law and fact. At the December term of the district court of Kootenai county a motion was made to dismiss the appeal, which was denied. On January 2, 1902, the cause was called for trial, defendants objecting to the selection of a jury for the reason that no demand had been made and filed three days, or at all, before that date for the trial by a jury. The court denied the motion. A trial was had, and special findings, in addition to a general verdict, were returned by the jury. A judgment was entered in favor of Frank Pine, guardian ad litem, against John C. Callahan, as executor, and T. J. Purcell, as guardian, as named in said proposed will, for his costs. A statement was settled and allowed by the court, motion for new trial overruled, and it is from the order overruling this motion that this appeal is taken.

We have a voluminous record from which to draw our conclusions, but the exhaustive and able briefs have been of much service to us in grouping the facts upon which to base our opinion. There are sixty-one assignments of error relied upon by appellants; but, as we read the record, the all-important question is whether the deceased, John C. Brady, was of sound and disposing mind at the time he made what purports to be his last will. The verdict rendered by the jury in the district court reads: “We, the jury sworn to try the issues in the above-entitled matter, hereby render our verdict and find for the contestant plaintiff. L. McLennon, Foreman.” The special findings are as follows: “1. At the time of making and executing the will contested herein, was John C. Brady of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding, and capable of mailing and executing the will in question? Answer. No. 2. Did the testator, at the time he signed the will in question, know what he was doing? Answer.'Don’t know. 8. Did the testator, at the time he signed the will in question, know to whom he was giving his property, and to whom he was giving the guardianship of his children? Answer. Can’t answer. 4. Had the testator, John C. Brady, at the time of the execution of the will in question, mind and memory sufficiently sound to know and understand the business he was engaged in? Answer. No. 5. Did John C. Brady, at the time he signed his proposed last will and testament, consent thereto and acquiesce therein? Answer. Can’t answer. 6. Was the said instrument, purporting to be the last will and testament of John C. Brady, deceased, signed, sealed, published, and disclosed to be the last will and testament of said deceased in the presence of subscribing witnesses? Answer. Can’t agree. 7. Did the subscribing witnesses, C. W. Dyer and G. E. Barker, at the request of John C. Brady, or at the request of James Graham, by his direction or assent, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, subscribe their names as witnesses to said proposed last will and testament ? Answer. Can’t agree. L. McLennon, Foreman.”

The first assignment of error is based upon the ruling of the court in denying defendants’ motion to dismiss the petition for contest filed by the alleged guardian ad litem, Frank Pine.

It is urged that the court had no power or jurisdiction to make the appointment — first, “because the children had a general guardian, residing in Kootenai county, in the person of T. J. Purcell; that county was their place of residence, and they were physically in the jurisdiction of the court, when the general guardian was appointed; Pine was and remains a citizen, of the state of Iowa, hence not qualified for the appointment; and, in addition thereto, there was no necessity for such appointment.” It is urged that under the provisions of section 5669 of the Revised Statutes the court could only appoint a competent attorney at law as guardian ad litem. This section says: “At or before the hearing of petitions and contests for the probate of will, .... the court may, in its discretion, appoint some competent attorney at law to represent in all such proceedings the devisees, legatees, heirs, or creditors of the decedent, who are minors and have no general guardian in the county.” As we construe this section of the statute, under certain conditions it would he the duty of the court to appoint a guardian ad litem for minor children, whether there was an application to make such appointment or not; that is, if it occurred to the court that the interests of minor children were involved in the litigation, and there was no general guardian, then the court is empowered by this section to protect their interests by the appointment of some competent attorney guardian ad litem. Section 4095 provides: “When an infant or an insane or incompetent person is a party, he must appear either by his general guardian, or by a guardian ad litem appointed by the court in which the action is pending in each case, or by a judge thereof, or a probate judge. A guardian ad litem may be appointed in any case, when it is deemed by the court in which the action or proceeding is prosecuted, or by a judge thereof, expedient to represent the infant, insane or incompetent person in the action or proceeding, notwithstanding he may have a general guardian and may have appeared by him.” Section 4096 provides: “When a guardian ad litem is appointed by the court or judge, he must be appointed as follows: 1. When the infant is plaintiff, upon application of the infant, if he be of the age of fourteen years, or, if under that age, upon the application of a relative or friend of the infant.” Under the provisions of these sections of the statute we find no error in the appointment of a guardian ad litem, even though such guardian be a nonresident of this state; and the fact that there was a general guardian whose authority was unquestioned would not preclude the appointment of a guardian ad litem in case the court was satisfied that the interests of the minor children required it.

The second assignment is based upon the ruling of the court on proponents’ and defendants’ motion that the cause be tried by the court without a jury, for the reason that a demand for a jury in writing had not been made by the contestant, or any of the parties to this suit or proceeding, three days prior to the time set for the hearing thereof. Subdivision 4 of section 5308 says, in providing for the trial of eases of this character, any issues of fact “must, on request of either party, in writing (filed three days prior to the day set for the hearing), he tried by a jury. If no jury is demanded, the court must try and determine the issues joined. On the trial the contestant is plaintiff, and the petitioner is defendant.” It is very earnestly urged by counsel for appellants that, notwithstanding the demand to try the cause in the probate court with the aid of a jury, and the fact that such demand was in writing and filed with the other papers in the district court, and thereby a part of the record of the case as it came from the probate court, yet, to justify the district court, or judge thereof, in ordering a jury, it was necessary to renew this demand in writing in said court. No authorities are cited by counsel for either party to this controversy bearing on this question. We think, with the written demand for a jury on file, either party was authorized to enforce its demands in the district court, and no notice was necessary to be given of such intention, and that there was no error in the ruling of the court on this motion.

From the record in this case we are informed that on the night of the fifth day of July, 1901, John C. Brady, who was the probate judge of Kootenai county, was shot in the face by one C. H. H. Wilmbusse, the ball entering just below the right eye, and ranging backward horizontally, and lodged at the base of the skull; that he was removed to the Sacred Heart Hospital at Spokane, Washington, on the night of the 5th of July, or morning of the 6th, and there remained until his death, which occurred on the seventeenth day of July, 1901.

Proponents-’ Exhibit “A” purports to be the will of John C. Brady, to wit:

“In the name of God, Amen: I, John C. Brady, of Bathdrum, Kootenai county,, state of Idaho, of the age of thirty-six years, and being of sound and disposing mind and memory, and not acting under duress, menace, fraud, or undue influence of any person whatever, do make, publish, and declare this, my last will and testament, in manner following; that is to say: First. I desire my body decently buried with proper regard to my station in life, the circumstances of my estate, and the rites of the holy Eoman Catholic Church. Secondly. I direct that my executor, hereinafter named, as soon as he has sufficient funds in his hands, pay my funeral expenses and the expenses of my last sickness, and the allowance made to my two minor children. Thirdly. I give and bequeath to my two minor children, Arva Brady, aged seven years, and Elmer Brady, aged five years, all of my property, real, personal, and mixed, that I own at the time of my death, or that my estate may thereafter acquire, bv operation of law or otherwise. Fourthly. I hereby nominate and appoint John C. Callahan, of Eathdrum, Kootenai county, Idaho, the executor of this, my last will and testament. Eifthly. I hereby nominate and appoint Eev. Thos. J. Purcell the guardian of my said two minor children, and direct that they be raised and oared for under his direction in some suitable Catholic institution, to be selected by the said Thomas J. Purcell. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of July, 1901.

(Signed) “JOHN C. BEADY. [Seal]”

Witnessed by G. E. Barker and C. W. Dyer, and filed August 14,1901.

Proponents’ Exhibit No. 3 purports to be the dying declaration of deceased, Brady, to wit:

“July 14th, 1901.

“State of Washington, ]

County of Spokane, j

“I, John C. Brady, of Eathdrum, Kootenai county, Idaho, having my powers of mind, recollection, and senses, and believing I am at the point of death, and every hope of this world gone, and believing, as I do, that public necessity demands the preservation of the lives of the community by bringing man-slayers to justice, make this my dying declaration, under a solemn and religious sense of immediate impending dissolution, and declare and say that on the night of July 5th, 1901, about 10:30 o’clock P. M., C. H. H. Wilmbusse entered my office in the probate judge’s office at Eathdrum, Kootenai county, state of Idaho. He said: ‘Good evening, Mr. Brady. How do you feel to-night ?’ I answered: ‘Pretty fair. How are you ?’ He says: ‘Take that in your old face’ — and pulled out his pistol and fired. And. the ball from the pistol struck me in the face. He then put the light out and left the office.

his

'(Signed) JOHN C. X BEADY.

mark

“Witnessed by JOHN C. CALLAHAN,

“JAMES GRAHAM.”

The condition of the mind of Judge Brady at the time he-made the dying declaration and at the time of the will was the subject upon which much of the evidence in the case was directed. The contest of the will was based upon the theory that at the time it purports to have been executed deceased was in such condition mentally and physically that he was incapable of making a will. The evidence is conflicting on this question. The jury, after hearing all the evidence and instructions of the-court as to the law of the ease, rendered their general verdict in favor of contestant and respondent. The only two special findings returned by the jury indicate that it was unanimous on this question. This being true, under the well-settled rule of this court, where there is a substantial conflict in the evidence,, and the trial court refuses to set the verdict aside, this court will not disturb its rulings.

The third assignment of error is based upon the ruling of the court to the challenge of George Mathews. In answer to a question on his voir dire, he stated that he was a juror in theWilmbusse case and heard the testimony as to Judge Brady’s-condition at a certain time. “I hold the same opinion now that I had then.” The court suggested to the juror that he had been asked a statutory question, whether he had an unqualified opinion, to which the juror answered, “Well, yes; certainly an unqualified opinion, at that time it was.” The juror had testified that he believed, at the time the dying declaration was-made, Brady was of sound mind. The fourth is based upon the ruling of the court overruling a challenge for cause to Jay Eand Sanborn as a juror. This juror answered, in his examination by Mr. Goode, counsel for respondent Pine, tbat he had no bias in the matter at all. On cross-examination, the juror testified that he “lived at Coeur d’Alene and had read a great deal — read everything, from time to time, that he saw published in the ^Review,’ and thought he had read about it in other papers. Didn’t remember to have seen published what purported to be the evidence introduced at the trial here. I have formed opinions at times, and expressed them. Bead some more, and formed another opinion, and expressed that, and afterward read again, and reversed my opinion. I don’t know how many times. To tell you the honest truth, I don’t believe I have got an opinion now.” Counsel for appellant here stated to the juror that “the nature of this controversy is whether the children of the deceased, Brady, shall be raised and educated in some Catholic institution of the selection of Father Purcell, or whether they shall not be. Now, have you any unqualified opinion or belief as to the merits of the action, the main question involved herein, based upon knowledge of its material facts, or some of them?” Counsel for respondent objected to the question, for the reason that the question is not involved in the pleadings. The objection was sustained. Counsel for appellant then asked the juror whether he had any bias or prejudice which would prevent him from sitting and trying this case fairly and impartially. Answer: “Well, it is a little complicated; but I am afraid I have a little prejudice. I don’t know that I have any grounds for it much — .any grounds for prejudice. I don’t believe I want to sit on the jury, really.” In answer to the question, “Does this prejudice you speak of exist against any parties to this controversy?” he said, “No, sir; not to any parties named. No, sir.” We find no error in the ruling of the court on either of these assignments of error.

A number of other errors are assigned, mostly to the admission or rejection of evidence. We have examined them carefully, and in our view of the case it is- unnecessary to pass upon them.

The judgment of the lower court is affirmed, with costs to respondent. It is so ordered.

Quarles, C. J., and Sullivan, «L, concur.