Sutherland Medicine Co. v. Baltimore

98 S.W. 966, 81 Ark. 229, 1906 Ark. LEXIS 468

• Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas
• Decided: December 24, 1906
• Status: Published

Opinion

Hill, C. J.

Appellee, Baltimore, bought of appellant medicine company a bill of its goods, and signed written order therefor. Following various items of medicine, appears this: “Full line of advertising matter.” On face of the order was this also: “Paste label on back of this order.” On the back was a list and description of signs and posters and other articles, such as: “Bell Watch Fobs,” “Bell Stick Pins,” “B. M. Bells,” “Sgns. P. F. H.” “Some Tacks,” various books, as “50 Good Eagle Books,” etc. In explanation of these matters, and certainly the writings are-not self-explanatory, Baltimore testified that the watch fobs and stick pins were premiums, and with the signs and advertising matter were an inducing cause for the order. Some calamity befell these articles, and Baltimore did not receive the medicines, nor the stick pins, nor watch fobs,, nor anything ordered. The medicine company proved that it accepted the order and directed the advertising matter and the medicines to be shipped to Baltimore, and that it delivered to the railroad company for shipment to Baltimore a box properly directed containing the medicines ordered. But it failed to prove the shipment of the advertising matter. In fact, the only inference to be drawn from the testimony is that it was not sent. Evidently the box of medicines was lost in transit, and the question is upon whom the loss shall fall. If the medicine company complied with its contract and delivered the goods ordered to the carrier for Baltimore, then the loss is his; if it did not comply with the contract, it can not require him to pay for -the goods. The contract can not be considered several, and binding to the extent it was fulfilled, as in Duffie v. Pratt, 76 Ark. 74. The advertising matter, if of any importance at all, from its very nature touched the whole order, and may have been an inducing cause to the contract. Templeton v. Equitable Mfg. Co., 79 Ark. 456. Even if the evidence that it was an inducing clause be not competent, and be disregarded, the court can not treat the failure to send these premiums and advertising matter as -a matter of no moment to the purchaser. It is very probable that a country merchant would more readily purchase goods when a full line of advertising matter of those goods was furnished him to go with the goods. In this-case the signs and -posters, presenting the virtues and cures of “Tar Honey” and “Anti-pain”, and stick pins and watch fobs and “Household Help Books” as lagniappe for “Eagle Eye Salve” and the “Tonic”, may have been, and doubtless were, important factors.

The court was not without evidence in finding that the contract had not been complied with. 1

Affirmed.