Knight v. Harris, Cortner & Co.
Knight v. Harris, Cortner & Co.
Opinion of the Court
The questions litigated are as to whether such a demand as contemplated by the agreement between the parties was ever made by the plaintiff, and if so, when, and what was the market price of cotton at Decatur, basis middling, at that time? Under the evidence, these were all questions of fact to be determined by the jury, the plaintiff’s contention being that such demand was made on several dates between the 9th and 30th of June, 1914, and that the market price of middling cotton between these dates was at and around 13 cents per pound. On the other hand, the defendant’s contention was that the only demand made was for a settlement at 13 cents per pound for the entire lot of cotton, and that this was in excess of the market price. The defendant also offered evidence tending to show that the plaintiff refused to accept settlement for the cotton on the basis of the market price on several occasions, and made no demand until cotton declined and the value of the cotton was less than the amount of the loan or advancement made thereon, and when defendant called on the plaintiff to margin up the price so as to protect the loan, she refused to do so and threatened to sue, and then brought this suit.
When these principles are applied, it is manifest that the action of the court in giving charges A and O was free from error. Charge 8 asserts a correct proposition of law, applicable to the case but for the error in hypothesizing the date of the demand.
“I charge you, gentlemen of the jury, that the burden is on the plaintiff in this case to reasonably satisfy your minds from the evidence in this case that the cotton of the grade and classification as that which the plaintiff delivered to the defendant was worth on the market in Decatur, Ala., on some date between June 9 and June 30, 1915, more than 12y2 cents per % pound; and if she has failed to so satisfy your minds, then your verdict must be for the defendant.”
In addition to the mistake in the date, it will be noted, that this charge imposed on plaintiff the duty of showing that the market price at the time of the demand for settlement, if one was made, was more than 25 cents per pound, before she would be entitled to a verdict. The evidence tended to show that the amount of cotton unsettled for was 11,612 pounds, which at 13 cents per pound would more than liquidate the balance due on the loan or advancement. In giving this charge, the court committed reversible error. Charge B should not have been given because of the error in hypothesizing the date of the demand.
Charge 5A, refused to plaintiff, was a duplicate of charge 4, given at her instance, and was properly refused.
For the error pointed out, the judgment is reversed and the cause is remanded.
Reversed and remanded.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.