Pireaux v. Simon

48 N.W. 674, 79 Wis. 392, 1891 Wisc. LEXIS 135

Opinion

Orton, J.

The main facts in this case are in snhstance as follows:

On the 21st day of July, 1873, the plaintiff and one Robert Graner owned adjoining lots in Green Bay. They entered into a written agreement under seal of that date by which it was agreed that the plaintiff should erect a two-story brick building on his lot, with a twelve-inch party-wall, standing six inches on the lot of each, and that the said Graner should pay to the plaintiff the sum of $230.50 when he should use said wall by attaching to it an adjacent building on his lot. The plaintiff built a two-story brick building on his lot the same year, with a party-wall according to said contract. This building stood about five years, and was then burned down. The plaintiff then erected a one-story brick building, with a party-wall, precisely in the place of the one destroyed, while said Graner still owned the adjoining lot. Afterwards, in 1882, the defendant became the owner of the Graner 'lot, and built a brick building adjoining that of the plaintiff, and connected therewith to the height of that building, and another story above, using the wall of the plaintiff only for one story. Both parties appeared to see the necessity of an independent agreement different from the one written between the plaintiff and Graner, upon which the defendant should build. his building, and so connect it with that of the plaintiff.

The plaintiff testified in substance that the defendant, in consideration of so using the wall of the plaintiff, agreed to pay him its present cost; and this is his cause of action in this case. Tbe defendant testified in substance that be offered to pay tbe plaintiff tbe difference between tbe said sum of $230.50, named in tbe written contract, and tbe cost of bis wall above tbe first story, wbicb was about $150, to be deducted from tbe $230.50; but that tbe plaintiff would not accept said offer, and demanded $190 or $193.

It is quite obvious that tbe written contract was not applicable to these new conditions. Tbe plaintiff could not justify bis placing his one-story building six inches on tbe land of Gfraner or of tbe defendant by tbe written contract. That only authorized him to build a two-story building six inches on tbe G-raner lot; and when tbe defendant wished to build- there was no two-story building with wbicb be could connect. It was therefore very proper that a new agreement should be made suited to these changed conditions. Tbe defendant, as a witness, denied that be made any such agreement as testified to by tbe plaintiff. Tbe court instructed tbe jury, in effect, that the defendant has no rights under tbe written agreement by an assignment thereof, and that tbe only contract in tbe case was tbe one alleged by tbe plaintiff. The last part of this instruction is unquestionably correct, but tbe first part may have been abstractly erroneous. It was immaterial to this case what rights the defendant may have in that written contract by assignment or as one running with tbe land. That would be an important question in a case involving it. That written contract by its terms only binds tbe parties to it. It is not drawn to tbe heirs or assigns. Whether it runs with tbe land or conveys an interest in tbe land, or a mere easement, or whether it made tbe parties tenants in common in tbe twelve inches, are questions not without difficulty. But that contract is not in tbe case. It is contended by tbe learned counsel of tbe appellant that the only liability of tbe defendant to pay tbe plaintiff anything is by tbe written agreement, and, if not liable under it by reason of the plaintiff not having performed it according to its terms, that he might be compelled to perform it, and build his building two stories high. The plaintiff has brought suit on this new verbal agreement, and it is clear enough that if he cannot recover under that he must fail in his action. The written contract is therefore not in the case, and we shall not undertake to decide what the rights of the parties may be under it.

The only questions in the case are whether the parties made the verbal agreement testified to by the plaintiff, and whether it is valid in law. The jury found in favor of the plaintiff, under the instruction of the court that, if they found that such agreement was made, he was entitled to recover. The learned counsel of the appellant contends that such agreement was void, because not in writing. If the defendant had not yet built his building, and so made use of the wall of the plaintiff, an executory agreement like this would unquestionably be void. But, the defendant having built his building, and so made use of the wall built by the plaintiff, and having thus received the full consideration of the agreement, it is not within the statute, and the plaintiff may recover. Both of these questions were decided by this court in a case where there was a similar verbal contract in respect to a party-wall, but where the defendant was not the one who built the building, but a prior owner. In Rice v. Roberts, 24 Wis. 461, Chief Justice Dixon says: “ If the defendant had continued the owner of the lot, and had himself erected the building and had used the party-wall, no reason is perceived why the plaintiff might not have recovered the price agreed upon for building the defendant’s half of it. It would then have been a contract executed on the part of the plaintiff, and so not within the statute.” Such an agreement as the plaintiff testified to is an assent or admission by the defendant that the plaintiff had the right to build the wall as a party-wall, and a ratification of it. “ If the owner of one of two contiguous lots may erect the dividing wall between them, and place the same one-half on each parcel, and if the adjacent owner then build upon his lot against this wall, he will be bound to pay half the expense of such wall.” Bertram v. Curtis, 31 Iowa, 46; Sullivan v. Graffort, 35 Iowa, 531; Platt v. Eggleston, 20 Ohio St. 414; Richardson v. Tobey, 121 Mass. 457; Greenwald v. Kappes, 31 Ind. 216; Shaw v. Hitchcock, 119 Mass. 254; Washb. Easem. 613-620. It must be borne in mind that in such a case the defendant has not only made use of the wall on his own land, but that on plaintiff’s land also, which in itself would be an executed consideration for his agreement. The defendant might have refused to recognize any right in the plaintiff to build that one-story wall six inches on his land, and stood upon his rights as grantee of the whole lot. But he did not do this, but admitted the plaintiff’s right to build such a party-wall, and acquiesced in such right by his agreement. It is not a question whether the plaintiff has obtained a permanent easement in the six inches of the defendant’s lot, but whether the defendant has not availed himself of'the party-wall already built by the plaintiff, and agreed to pay for it. A parol contract to build a party-wall may be void by the statute of frauds; but when such a contract has been fully executed and performed it is no longer within the statute as between the parties who have already received its benefits. McClellan v. Sanford, 26 Wis. 595; Rice v. Roberts, 24 Wis. 461; Niland v. Murphy, 73 Wis. 326. There can be no question but that the promise of the defendant to pay one half the cost of the one-story party-wall was founded upon a fully executed consideration, the benefits of which he had received by appropriating such wall to his own use. What has been already said disposes of all the exceptions to the instructions of the court, except that in relation to the as-signability of the written contract to the defendant, and that was simply immaterial.

The only exception to evidence is to tbe question put to tbe plaintiff as a witness, as to bow be understood tbe written contract wben be was talking to tbe defendant about wbat be ought to have for tbe use of tbe wall. This evidence was admitted conditionally, to depend upon whether it might appear thereafter that tbe written contract bad anything to do with tbe case. Tbe objection was that tbe testimony was immaterialand so it was, as finally determined. Tbe court, in instructing tbe jury that the written contract was out of tbe case, cured any possible barm tbe testimony could have done tbe defendant, for that was also excluded.

Tbe objection that tbe verdict is excessive is not sustained. There was testimony that justified tbe verdict as to tbe present cost of tbe wall, and even a larger verdict. Tbe court instructed tbe jury that tbe lowest figures given by any of tbe witnesses as to its cost were tbe sum of $194.55 (tbe amount of tbe verdict, less tbe interest), and that instruction was excepted to. It appears that tbe witness Victor Lambor testified that on tbe basis of bis figures tbe whole cost of tbe wall would be $389.10, one half of which would be $194.55. Whether these were tbe lowest figures given by any of tbe witnesses is immaterial. This testimony warranted the verdict, and that is sufficient. This is an interesting case, and was very ably submitted by tbe learned counsel on both sides. We find no error that ought to reverse tbe judgment.

By the Court.—The judgment of tbe circuit court is affirmed.