Kelley Realty Co. v. Botsford
Kelley Realty Co. v. Botsford
Opinion of the Court
The action is by the lessee of a storehouse, against his lessor, as for breach of a covenant to repair. The cove *507 nant alleged to have been breached reads as follows:
“Lessor agrees to repair and build cheap fence in rear of both rooms; also stop leans, fix window and door glasses where broken, and put locks in good repair.”
The breach alleged was the failure “to- stop leaks.” The injury was damage to goods on account of the failure to perform the covenant.
The main, if not the sole, defense relied upon, was another covenant of the lease, which is claimed by the lessor to exempt him from the damages here sought to be recovered. This covenant reads as follows:
“It is further understood and agreed that the lessor shall not be liable for any damage- which may accrue on account of any defect in said building or premises, or from rain, wind, or other cause.”
The ease was originally brought in a justice court, where the trial resulted in judgment for the plaintiff. Defendant appealed to the circuit court, where the case was tried by the judge without a jury, and judgment was rendered for plaintiff. From the judgment rendered in the circuit court, defendant appealed to the Court of Appeals, and under existing rules and practice of this court the appeal comes by transfer to this court.
While, of course, this proceeding and practice was irregular, it does affirmatively appear that no possible injury resulted. The record does not show due diligence on defendant’s part in preparing its pleadings. The case had been once tried in the justice court, on the identical issues upon which it was tried in the circuit court, and on a complaint not materially different from the one last filed. There was no duty resting on the plaintiff to submit his complaint to the defendant before filing the same in the circuit court. The complaint was simple, being practically in cqde form; and it was not subject to demurrer.
It also affirmatively appears that defendant had every advantage which it could have had if its pleadings had been written out in full. In fact and in law,,it appears, it had no defense to the action. The only defense attempted to be asserted, meriting consideration, is its construction of the lease contract as to whether or not defendant was liable for failure to make repairs, claimed in the suit.
We find no error which will warrant a reversal of this judgment.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Kelley Realty Co. v. Botsford.
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published