Zelch v. Hirt

61 N.W. 20, 59 Minn. 360, 1894 Minn. LEXIS 168

• Court: Supreme Court of Minnesota
• Decided: December 12, 1894
• Docket: No. 8961
• Status: Published

Opinion

Buck, J.

The plaintiff brought an action in replevin to recover possession of certain horses mortgaged to him by the defendant to secure the payment of two promissory notes, amounting in the aggregate to the sum of $525, dated April 15, 1892. As to what constituted the consideration for these notes and mortgage was the principal question in controversy.

It appears that some time in the month of April, 1890, the plaintiff was engaged in the business of buying and selling horses. The defendant purchased a horse of the plaintiff named “Crafty,” for the sum of $1,700, and gave his three promissory notes for the same; the plaintiff representing that the horse was good for the purpose for which the defendant desired him. The horse proving unsatisfactory in this respect, the defendant returned him to the plaintiff at the end of about two years after the purchase.

•The defendant insisted that, as the horse had not fulfilled the conditions upon which he purchased him, he was entitled to return him, and receive another horse instead; and claims that it was finally agreed between themselves that the three notes given for the horse Crafty should be given up by the plaintiff, and that the plaintiff would thereafter procure and let defendant have another horse in lieu of the horse Crafty; and that defendant, in order to secure his part of said agreement, and to compel him to purchase said other horse in lieu of the horse Crafty, executed and delivered to the plaintiff the two promissory notes and chattel mortgage described in the complaint. Defendant also claims that at the same time it was agreed between the parties that the difference in value of the horse so to be purchased and the horse Crafty should be agreed upon and said notes should be adjusted between themselves at the time of the delivery of said other horse, and that plaintiff never procured or offered to deliver to defendant any other horse, and alleges that said notes and chattel mortgage are therefore void. In this respect there is a sharp conflict between the parties as to the agreement between them.

The plaintiff alleges and insists that the first horse, Crafty, fulfilled the conditions of the contract, and that when the defendant undertook to return him he was spoiled, foundered, and ruined in health, through improper care and usage, and that he offered to let the defendant have another horse in lieu of Crafty, and defendant refused such offer. It is further contended by plaintiff that it was finally agreed between (hem that plaintiff should retain Crafty, and should surrender up the three notes for $1,700 and a mortgage securing the same, and that the new notes and mortgage should be given in full settlement and satisfaction of all matters in difference between said plaintiff and the defendant relating to the sale of said horse.

The case was tried before a jury, each party seeking to sustain his side upon the claims and grounds herein stated. There was no written contract in regard to the settlement, nor in regard to the consideration for the new notes or chattel mortgage securing them, outside of the instruments themselves. There had been no payments upon the $1,700 notes, and the defendant had retained and used the horse Crafty for two years, though he alleges that he was damaged in the sum of $700 by reason of the defects in the horse Crafty, and in his not fulfilling the conditions upon which he purchased him of the plaintiff. Upon the trial the plaintiff sought to prove by a witness what the condition of the horse Crafty was when he was returned to plaintiff. To this the defendant objected upon the ground that the evidence was incompetent and immaterial. The plaintiff then made this offer: “We offer to show Crafty’s condition when returned, to show the consideration of the new contract which was made, — that is, that he [defendant] brought the horse back ruined in health; that is one of the elements of consideration; not the entire consideration of course.” The defendant objected to the evidence, and the court sustained the objection, and the plaintiff excepted.

Evidently this testimony was offered to throw light on the transaction, and to show that the plaintiff’s testimony and contention was reasonable, and more reasonable than that of the other party.One party or the other either did not understand or fully comprehend the full effect of the transaction at the time of the execution of the two notes and chattel mortgage, or else one or the other did not testify truthfully upon the trial. Any evidence, therefore, tending to show that plaintiff’s testimony was more reasonable than that of - he defendant should have been allowed. Its rejection took away from the jury the consideration of an element or matter which might have been considered of importance in determining which party was right in the controversy. It was competent and material evidence, and should have been admitted, leaving its value or importance to the jury. Schwerin v. De Graff, 21 Minn. 354.

The order of the court below denying the motion for a new trial is reversed, and a new trial granted.

Gilfillan, C. J., absent on account of sickness; took no part.

(Opinion published 61 N. W. 30.;