Whisler v. Drake
Whisler v. Drake
Opinion of the Court
I. On the trial the defendants introduced E. A. Drake as a witness, who testified to. the court that a book produced by him contained, among numerous other entries of a similar character, the following: “ May 28, 1867, bought of B. W. Level, 11 hogs, 2,600 lbs. at 5ets. Paid $50-18-130; ” and also that he kept said book; that the entries were just and true, and were made at the time the transaction therein charged took place; and that said
II. The defendants asked the court to instruct the jury, among other things as follows : “ 2. If you find that Level, in his life-time, went to defendants’ place of business for the purpose of settling with defendants, and that he had no money before he went into defendants’ house, and that he there in the house saw defendants, and was seen to come out with money, which he said he got of defendants, then you may presume from these circumstances that the parties did settle and pay for the hogs in question.” There was sufficient testimony upon which to base this instruction; and, in our opinion, it should have been given. But the court refused it. A discussion of the instruction would afford no light. If he had no money; went to defendants’ to settle for the hogs, and when he left them had money, and said he got it from them, it needs no argument to show that it is legitimate to presume, or at least the jury may presume, therefrom that he did settle and get his pay.
The same is true of instructions three, five and twelve, also asked by defendants and refused by the court. It is true, they each refer to one or more circumstances only “ as
The jury were required to return special findings to six propositions submitted to them. As we read the evidence their answers were contrary to it. But it is not necessary to review the evidence here. For the error in refusing the instructions above specified, asked by defendants, the judgment must be
Reversed.
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