Snyder v. Murdock

51 Mo. 175

• Court: Supreme Court of Missouri
• Decided: October 15, 1872
• Status: Published

Opinion

Adams, Judge,

delivered the opinion of the court.

This was an action on two promissory notes, executed to the plaintiff’s testator.

The defendant set up several distinct defenses in his answer.

1st. That the notes were given for land and fixtures for which plaintiff’s testator had given his bond for title, and had failed to convey.

2d. That neither the testator or any other person, had offered to convey the real estate to him.

3rd. That the contract had been rescinded.

4th. That after such rescission, the fixtures, consisting of a carding machine and mill, had been consumed by fire, and that they gave value to the land, and were the main inducement to the purchase.

The plaintiff by replication admitted that the notes were given for the real estate mentioned, but alleged that his testator had always been ready to comply with his bond9 on the payment of the purchase money, and that he was now ready and willing, and on the trial tendered a deed from the devisees to defendant. The replication denied the rescission of the contract, &c.

The case was submitted to the court sitting as a jury, and resulted in a verdict and judgment for the plaintiff.

There was no evidence of any rescission of the contract, except the testimony of the defendant, which was objected to, on the ground that the testator and his agent who made the contract were both dead. But the court allowed him to testify.

The defendant contends that by the pleadings, this case was converted into a suit in equity.

The suit is upon promissory notes and the defenses set up are all legal defences such as could have been pleaded at law under the old system of pleading.

■ The instructions given on both sides presented the' law of the ease fairly. The court was the judge, of the credibility of the witnesses, and the sufficiency of the evidence, and we do not feel at liberty to disturb the finding.

After an executory contract for the conveyancé of real estate has been entered into, by the execution of a bond for title' and notes for the purchase money, the property is at the risk! of the purchaser.

If it burns up it is his loss, if it increases in value it is his ¡ gain. This is the settled equity doctrine, and is based upon ; the principle that in equity what is agreed to be done must ^ be considered as done.

The plaintiff’s right to sue on these notes did not depend on a tender of a deed. The notes were unconditional on their face, and in bringing suit he was not bound to refer to the title bond.

The defence in regard to the title bond, was an independent counter-claim, and the plaintiff had the right to reply as lie did and make tender of the deed on the trial. A vendor ordinarily is not bound to part with his title, till all the purchase money is paid. He can retain the title as security for the purchase money, unless he has bound himself to make the title before payment.

Judgment affirmed.

Judge Wagner concurs. Judge Bliss absent.