Watson v. Miears

612 F. Supp. 1235, 1984 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23846
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Arkansas
DecidedSeptember 5, 1984
DocketNo. HS 83-6076
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 612 F. Supp. 1235 (Watson v. Miears) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Watson v. Miears, 612 F. Supp. 1235, 1984 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23846 (W.D. Ark. 1984).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

OREN HARRIS, Senior District Judge.

In this diversity action the plaintiffs, Aaron L. Watson and Rubena Watson, d/b/a WATSON’S ANTIQUE SHOP, allege in their complaint filed August 9,1983, against the defendant, H.A. Miears, a breach of contract entered into in writing on April 13, 1983.

After several days of negotiation, the contract entered into by the parties provides that defendant Miears agrees to the purchase of the entire contents of Watson’s Antique Shop located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, with certain exceptions, for a price of $250,000.00. Further, the contract provides that the plaintiffs agree to sell the contents of Watson’s Antique Shop for the sum of $250,000.00 with a down payment of $85,000.00 paid to the plaintiffs, and the balance of the payment, $165,000.00, to be paid by the defendant within 90 days, or no later than July 1, 1983.1

[1236]*1236The plaintiffs are citizens of the state of Arkansas and residents of the city of Hot Springs. They were, at the time the contract was entered into by the parties, owners of Watson’s Antique Shop with several thousand items included therein. The defendant is a citizen of the state of Oklahoma and a resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The sum involved in this litigious action exceeds $10,000.00, exclusive of interest and costs.

Jurisdiction is based on 28 U.S.C. § 1332 in that there is diversity of citizenship between the plaintiffs and the defendant, and the amount in controversy exceeds the sum of $10,000.00, exclusive of interest and costs.

Even prior to the date the payment of $165,000.00 was due and, in fact, within days of the contractual agreement, a serious controversy or conflict over the contents of Watson’s Antique Shop arose. Under rather unusual circumstances, the defendant claimed that numerous items that should have been included with the sale had been removed by the plaintiffs. The conflict between the parties resulted in the failure of the defendant to make payment of the balance due under the contract within the 90 days, or no later than July 12, 1983. Instead thereof the defendant directed a letter to the plaintiffs dated July 11, 1983, accusing the plaintiffs of having removed a large amount of merchandise “after we signed the agreement.” The letter included, inter alia, that the agreement between the parties was considered by the defendant as “rescinded.”

The plaintiffs allege that the defendant defaulted under the agreement and seek to recover the sum of $165,000.00 with interest and additional sums such as telephone, rental, and other costs accrued as a result of the alleged breach of contract.

The defendant has answered the complaint of the plaintiffs denying the contention of breach of contract and filed a counterclaim against the plaintiffs alleging that the defendant relied upon representations of the plaintiffs in regard to the quantity and quality of the antiques contained within Watson’s Antique Shop. In the counterclaim the defendant alleges that subsequent to the signing of the contract the plaintiffs, without the knowledge or consent of the defendant, removed antiques valued in excess of $50,000.00.

Additionally, in the defendant’s counterclaim it is alleged that, at the time the parties entered into the contract, the plaintiffs represented that all merchandise was free and clear of obligations. Defendant contends there were multiple outstanding liens against the property at the time of the agreement. The defendant alleges that as a consequence of the plaintiffs’ action he was damaged in the sum of $250,000.00.

Additionally, the defendant alleges that the plaintiffs’ action was intentional, willful, wanton and by design, which inflicted harm upon the defendant, and he claims punitive damages in the sum of $1,500,-000.00.

In this case, discovery, at the outset and for several months, became most difficult. It was wrought with bitterness, resulting in charges and countercharges. It was necessary for the Court to consider and enter numerous orders affecting both parties and, principally, requiring the defendant to comply with the Rules and Orders of the Court. The case was further complicated by the Court-ordered auction sale of some 1100 items still being held in Watson’s Antique Shop building as late as December, 1983.

The case was regularly scheduled for trial on the merits to commence May 23, 1984. After a three-day trial to the Court, the case was taken as submitted and counsel for the parties given the opportunity to file post-trial briefs.

[1237]*1237The Court has received briefs and the case is ready for decision. From the substantial testimony presented to the Court, without the intercession of a jury, numerous exhibits entered, briefs submitted by counsel in the case, and the entire record, the Court proceeds to decision on the issues developed during the course of the trial.

Having the benefit of the trial record of the case, the Court makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law, pursuant to Rule 52 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

In order to fully understand the serious dispute and actions of the parties in this case, a substantial statement of the facts, as developed by the record, is necessary.

The plaintiffs in this case have operated a substantial antique business in Hot Springs, Arkansas for approximately 13 years. The defendant, by profession, has been an auctioneer of antiques and has operated an antique business in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Although for years he has been engaged primarily as an auctioneer, defendant actively has been in the antique business for approximately 12 years. He operates the Antique Auction Galleries in Oklahoma City. He has also had an interest in such a business in Prague, Oklahoma, which he claimed was his wife’s business.

The defendant would also buy an antique business, which he would purchase outright, and arrange an auction for the sale of the contents at the location and, in some instances, some of the items for such sale would be transported to Oklahoma and either be placed in his own shop or in a shop in which he was interested in the area.

In the early part of March, 1983, Mr. Miears purchased Max Shaw’s Antique Shop in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He arranged for an auction, which was held on April 10 and 11, 1983, in Hot Springs. While making preparations for the auction he met the plaintiff, Aaron Watson. In time, the defendant, with his bookkeeper, Georgette Draybek, visited the plaintiffs’ antique shop for the purpose of observing it and its contents. This visit was on or about March 27, 1983. The plaintiff Aaron Watson was not at his shop at that time. An employee of the plaintiffs offered to serve them, and when advised they were there merely to visit and see the place, she requested their names. Defendant left his name and explained the reason he was in Hot Springs. This visit by the defendant prompted Mr. Watson to return the visit by going to Max Shaw’s place. Subsequently, the defendant again visited Watson’s Shop at which time he observed the contents of the shop and inquired of Watson if his shop was for sale and, if so, what price he would put on it.

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612 F. Supp. 1235, 1984 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23846, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/watson-v-miears-arwd-1984.