Firebaugh v. Thomas
Firebaugh v. Thomas
Opinion of the Court
On October 17, 1930, the respondent, as seller, and the appellants as buyer, entered into a written contract of sale of a crop of Emperor grapes then growing on respondent’s vineyard near Exeter. Among other things, the contract provided that the buyer was to pay for picking and hauling the crop, that the entire crop was to be picked not later than November 5th, that all grapes picked “shall meet the requirements of Growers Service Company and No. 1 Juice for Juice Grapes”, and that the buyer should not be liable under the contract if the fruit was not matured so as to permit picking on the dates named. The appellants began picking the grapes on November 12th, and continued until November 19th. On the night of that day a frost destroyed the grapes remaining on the vines and this action was brought for the purpose of recovering the contract price for the same. The court found in all respects in favor of the respondent and from a judgment which followed this appeal was taken.
Most of the points raised are based upon the contention that, under the contract, the appellants were not obligated to pick the crop but that the duty rested upon the respondent to pick and deliver the same. The complaint
The appellants contend that the court’s findings to the effect that the remaining grapes were properly matured and of a quality conforming to the required standard are not supported by the evidence. It is contended that the contract provided not only that the grapes should be up to the standard known as “U. S. No. 1”, but that they should meet the requirements of the appellants. The appellant Sisler testified in regard to the latter requirement. His testimony is vague and indefinite and rather evasive as to what were the requirements of the appellants, and the same fails to show that those requirements were any higher or different than those required for “U. S. No. 1”. The elements. he attempted to name, such as “keeping qualities” and “fitness for shipping”, are fully covered by the provisions governing “U. S. No. 1”. There was some evidence that the grapes remaining in the field were up to the standard set by “U. S. No. 1” and the appellants virtually admit this fact, but claim that none of the grapes met this standard until November 12th, and that they are not liable because the contract named November 5th as the last day for picking this crop. This contention has already been disposed of. Not only was there some evidence that the grapes were of the quality named in the contract, and that they had been of that quality at all times after October 17th, but the essential findings in this regard are supported by another line of evidence. The appellants introduced some testimony to the effect that only part of the grapes were ready to pick even after November 12th, and that by November 19th, they had picked over practically the entire vineyard, taking all of the grapes that were then ready. There was other evidence that, up to the time of the frost on the night of November 19th, they had picked over only about one-half of the vineyard, and there was evidence that the grapes on the remaining part of the vineyard were of similar quality and maturity to those picked and paid for, this evidence applying to a quantity sufficient to cover the judgment rendered. While a conflict appears, the entire evidence, with the reasonable inferences therefrom, fully sustains the findings and justifies the conclusion that the loss of these grapes through frost occurred only because of an
The judgment is affirmed.
Marks, J., and Jennings, J., concurred.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- RUTH E. FIREBAUGH v. R. S. THOMAS
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published