Kelly v. McGehee
Kelly v. McGehee
Opinion of the Court
Kelly reached his majority in October, 1873. His estate consisted of a house and lot near the city of Macon and the rents due therefrom.
Four months after his arrival at age in February, 1874, he sold his house and lot to McGehee, his guardian, for $700.00.
McGehee had no settlement with him as to his guardianship, nor did he pay over to him anything due from the rents.
In 1877 Kelly filed a bill against McGehee and his wife to recover the property sold, and for ah account of the' said McGehee as to the management of his estate.
He alleged his youth and inexperience in business, that he was induced to come to the city of Macon by his said guardian, and being there without money or friends, after
McGehee died before answering the bill, and his wife having been appointed administratrix answered both as administratrix and individually. She admitted the guardianship as charged, and the original ownership of the’ land in Kelly, as also the sale to McGehee, but denied any and all undue influence or fraud by McGehee in purchasing the land. She further admitted that there were irents due, and offered to pay them.
The case was referred to a master to pass on the law •and facts.
His report was substantially, 1st. That McGehee, the guardian, though appointed in 1867, received no rents until June, 1870, and that from thence forward to February, 1874, he was indebted to his ward, after deducting credits, $585.20. 2d. That McGehee bought the house and lot for $700.00. 3d. That when Perry sold the property to McGehee there was no such relation of trustee and cestui que trust existing between the parties as to ■prevent McGehee from dealing with his former ward, notwithstanding the fact that no final settlement had been made; that while McGehee was liable to account for all his property, yet when Kelly attained his majority he was sui juris and free to act for himself. Such a purchase as this would not be illegal unless it was shown that the guardian, by reason of his former relation, or from any Other cause, exercised an undue influence over the ward and perpetrated a fraud upon him.
Exceptions were filed to the report of the master and upon them the case was sent to a jury. Upon the trial thereof all the findings of the master, which were passed upon .at all, were sustained. The complainant made a
(i.) That the court rejected, the testimony of W. G. Johnson as to the reason Kelly gave for refusing to accept $950.00 from said Johnson, and yet took $700.00 from McGehee, — the reason Kelly gave being that he thought he could sell only to his guardian.
(1.) We think that this testimony was properly excluded, because Johnson was Kelly’s witness, and this was an ef_ fort by Kelly to introduce by his own witness his own sayings, where he was himself a competent witness and had been sworn in the case.
(2.) Because the court did not charge as requested by complainant’s counsel.
(3.) Because the jury failed to pass on the exception to the 8th finding, which is set out in. full in this opinion as the third.
We think, therefore, that a new trial should have been allowed.
Judgment reversed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Kelly v. McGehee, administratrix
- Cited By
- 6 cases
- Status
- Published