Vachon v. Nichols-Chisholm Lumber Co.

126 N.W. 278, 111 Minn. 45, 1910 Minn. LEXIS 644

• Court: Supreme Court of Minnesota
• Decided: May 13, 1910
• Docket: Nos. 16,489—(75)
• Status: Published

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Defendant executed and delivered to John Nay-tah-waush its due-bill for $5,490, a balance due upon the price of certain timber purchased by defendant. The amount was, by the instrument, made payable “within fifteen days after the patent from the United States-government shall have been issued and delivered to the said Nichols-Chisholm Lumber Company, at Frazee, Minnesota.” The payee died. An administrator of his estate was appointed and resigned, and thereafter plaintiff was appointed, and brought this action, as administrator, to recover upon the duebill. A demurrer interposed to the complaint, upon the ground that it failed to state a cause of action, was overruled.

The complaint does not allege the issuance or delivery of the patent, which was made a condition precedent to the maturing of the debt. It alleges that the duebill “is now due and payable.” This is a legal conclusion, and not a sufficient allegation that all conditions precedent have been performed, or, in lieu thereof, a sufficient excuse for their nonperformance. The complaint does not state a cause of action, and the demurrer should have been sustained.

Order reversed.