Jones v. Mobile & Girard Railroad
Jones v. Mobile & Girard Railroad
Opinion of the Court
This was an action brought by the plaintiff against the defendant to recover compensation for work and labor performed in the construction of defendant’s road. There was much evidence introduced on the part of the plaintiff, without objection, as to the terms of the contract under which the work was to be done by the plaintiff, as well as to the mode of payment therefor. The original contract in writing between the parties was not offered in evidence by the plaintiff, but he was allowed to prove that he had done the work and the value thereof, and that he agreed to receive in payment therefor the stock notes of the citizens of Pike county, Alabama, who had subscribed for stock in defendant’s road, and which were payable to the defendant. The plaintiff stated that he had received from the agents of defendant stock notes on the people of Pike county to the amount of $11,950 00, but that the same were insolvent and not collectable; that when he agreed to take the notes for the work, the defendant promised to guaranty the payment thereof, and that on the faith of that guaranty the work was done. The plaintiff had a settlement with defendant’s treasurer and superintendent on the 22d of January, 1862, and receipted to them for the notes on the people of Pike county, which he had previously received from defendant, amounting to $11,950 00, as before mentioned, in which receipt it was stated “ the solvency of said notes being .guaranted by the Mobile and Girard Railroad Company.” This receipt was written by the treasurer on the books of the company, and signed by the plaintiff. The insolvency of the makers of the notes was proved. After the plaintiff had closed his evidence the defendant made a motion for a non-suit, which was granted by the court, and the plaintiff excepted.
Let the judgment of the court below be reversed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- W. H. Jones, assignee, in error v. The Mobile and Girard Railroad Company, in error
- Status
- Published