Beeson v. Hunt
Beeson v. Hunt
Opinion of the Court
The evidence is voluminous and conflicting. W e are able, however, to arrive at the following conclusions of fact:
1. That if Hunt did in fact agree to accept other security than the land in controversy for his claim, it was to include the mill when it should be in good running order and doing a good business.
2. The security contemplated under the agreement was never given or offered to be given by any of the.parties to the agreement.
3. The mill was. in the condition contemplated in the agreement before Hunt caused the land to be sold, and the agreement, so far as the mill was concerned, could have been performed.
4. After the mill was in the condition described by the terms of the agreement, Hunt proposed to accept the new security, but the proposition was declined by Chandler and Lockhart.
5. No fraud was practiced toward plaintiff by Hunt, either in the transaction prior to the sale, or in the sale itself.
6. The agreement between plaintiff and Chandler and Lockhart, in regard to putting up the mill, was sufficiently performed by plaintiff.
I. From these conclusions of fact, we are of the opinion that plaintiff is entitled to no relief by the redemption of the land, or otherwise, as against Hunt. Hunt’s agreement was with plaintiff and Chandler and Lockhart; if they failed to perform their part of the agreement, he could not have been required to perform his. If their failure was the fault of Chandler and Lockhart, surely Hunt cannot be held liable therefor, and no equities arise
II. There is no controversy that Chandler and Lockhart agreed, upon a sufficient consideration, to discharge the lien of the deed of trust from the land, and their failure to do so is admitted, but is attempted to be excused because plaintiff did not perform his agreement to put up the mill. This defense, we have found, is not sustained by the evidence. They are liable, therefore, to plaintiff on account of their failure to discharge the land from the lien of the deed of trust. Whether the judgment rendered against them by the District .Court be in the sum to which they are legally liable, we will not inquire. No objection is made by them, in this court, to this judgment on that account, and we will not therefore reverse it unless such reversal is asked by the plaintiff. Inasmuch, as this judgment, without the right to redeem the land under the sale by the trustee, may not, as against them, give plaintiff all the relief to which he may be entitled, the reversal may depend upon his option.
The decree as against Hunt is reversed, and the cause is remanded, with directions that the judgment against Chandler and Lockhart stand affirmed, unless plaintiff otherwise elect. In that case, he shall have the right to dismiss his petition without prejudice as against Chandler and Lockhart.
Eeversed.
Reference
- Status
- Published