Brewer v. Woodham
Brewer v. Woodham
Opinion of the Court
This is an action on account for goods, wares, and merchandise sold by the plaintiff to the defendants at their request. The undisputed evidence shows that the alleged indebtedness was the purchase price of a “punch board,” a gambling device consisting of a board containing a number of holes, in which were placed slips of paper, some of which contained the names of designated articles of merchandise or jewelry, and others blank; that chances were sold at 10 cents each; and the party taking the chance would push through one of these holes, and if the slip therein contained the name of an article, it was delivered to him; if the slip was blank, he got nothing. This board was loaded by the plaintiff at his place of business in Chicago, and sold on the defendants’ order taken through a traveling salesman, the order being sent to the plaintiff in Chicago, there approved, and the board and the assortment of merchandise accompanying it were shipped to the defendants.
The written order presented to the defendants, and which was signed by a member of the firm, was in these words: “Devon Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill. Please ship to my address by prepaid express one assortment No. 8 at $40.00, terms 60 days, less $5.00 if remittance is made in 10 days from date on invoice. If remittance of $40.00 is made thirty days from the date of invoice, you agree to ship to my address, making no charge for same, my choice of premiums shown on your illustrated list; or if at the end of thirty days I remit 80 per cent, of the gross receipts, which is 8 cents for each sale, you agree to take back any unsold goods at price charged me, provided they have been offered for sale as per printed directions for sixty days from date of invoice, at which time final settlement is to be made. The assortment consists of 8 watches, 92 pieces of jewelry and cutlery, and 400 packages of chocolates. You agree to place in *680 center of tray an extra watch for which no charge is made. This watch to be used as per printed directions or returned by me with unsold goods. No salesman has authority to collect money or goods or make settlement of this account. It is understood that I have no agreement with you except as herein stated. [Customer sign here.] -.”
It appearing from the undisputed evidence that the plaintiff was concerned in setting up the device, and that the alleged sale was in violation of the public policy of the state, he suffered no injury as a result of any ruling of the court, and the judgment is affirmed:
Affirmed.
Addendum
*681 ON REHEARING.
The .tenth plea avers that the suit is to recover the purchase price of a gambling device sold by the plaintiff to the defendants, and shows that the plaintiff was concerned with defendants in setting up and operating the device, and by arrangement between them, the plaintiff was to participate in the proceeds of the gambling operation, and was not subject to any of the stated grounds of demurrer. — Kuhl v. Gaily Universal Press Co., 123 Ala. 456, 26 South. 535, 82 Am. St. Rep. 135; Bickel v. Sheets, 24 Ind. 1; Rose v. Mitchell, 6 Colo. 102, 45 Am. Rep. 520; Hill v. Spear, 50 N. H. 253, 9 Am. Rep. 205; Skiff v. Johnson, 57 N. H. 475; 12 R. C. L. 750, § 55; 6 R. C. L. 776, § 181.
The evidence offered by the plaintiff to sustain his cause of action clearly shows that it was contemplated that the punch board was to be operated according to the directions prepared by the plaintiff, and that he was, under certain conditions, to receive 80 per cent, of the proceeds arising from the operation of the board; and the evidence clearly shows that the contract between the parties was made in furtherance of a gambling transaction, in which the plaintiff was a participant. — 6 R. C. L. 776, § 181, supra. There was evidence tending to support the tenth plea, and the affirmative charge was properly refused.
Application overruled.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Brewer v. Woodham Assumpsit.
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- 5 cases
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- Published