Salomon v. O'Donnell
Salomon v. O'Donnell
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
Suit was instituted by defendant in error, as plaintiff in the court below, against plaintiff in error, to recover rent for a certain residence occupied by plaintiff in error. The suit was instituted before a justice of the peace, an appeal taken to the county court, trial had to the court without a jury,
Several supposed errors are assigned, but only one discussed in the brief, and that in a very few words. It is claimed that the court erred in awarding judgment, as there had been no evidence introduced showing that a notice had been served upon the defendant to quit the premises. It was claimed to have been a leasing from month to month, and counsel in argument cite and rely upon section 1976, Mills’ An. Stats., claiming that under such section the party was entitled to ten days’ notice to terminate the tenancy. It appears from the evidence that the title to the property was in controversy, and being adjudicated, and the circumstances being such that neither part}1- felt at liberty to enter into any contract in regard to it for any definite time. Mr. Baxter, who acted as counsel on behalf of the plaintiff in error in the transaction with the defendant in error, was sworn as a witness, and put in evidence the following letter:
“ H. Z. Salomon, Esq., City:
“ Your lease of the premises on Curtis street, now occupied by you as my tenant, will expire on the 6th of June, instant. Please let me know promptly whether you desire to continue in possession of the same or not, for, if you do not, I shall let them to other parties. If you do, my partner, Judge Decker, will arrange Avith you in relation to their further occupancy, as I shall be out of the city.
“Yours, etc.,
“ T. J. O’Donnell.”
and also testified as follows: “By virtue of this letter I saw Judge Decker, and asked him if we could continue to pay rent under this stipulation. Think I had a check for $50 in my hand. Decker AA'anted to know how long we Avished to stay. Told him did not know. The matter in court might be determined any time, and could not take it .for any term. Decker said: ‘ If you can’t take it for any term, Mr. O’Donnell wants more rent.’ Said wanted $65 a month.
By this testimony on behalf of the plaintiff in error it can readily be seen that there was no contract of tenancy from month to month, or for any definite period; and that both parties declined to enter into any such contract. It also appears that plaintiff in error voluntarily left the premises, and returned the key to the defendant in error. This being the fact, the section of the statute relied upon has no application. The only question to be determined by the court Avas the amount of the rent due for occupation of the premises until the possession was abandoned and the key returned. No question is raised in regard to the correctness of the amount found due by the court. The judgment will be affirmed.
Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.