Mehlhop v. Rae & Harker
Mehlhop v. Rae & Harker
Opinion of the Court
I. The second count of the defendant’s answer is in these words: “Defendant, for further answer, states that he has never been married, and did not attain the age of twenty-one years until the ninth day of October, 1891; that he has not now, and did not have when he 'attained,his majority, within his control, any of the property described in plaintiffs, petition and amendment, and defendant disaffirms all contracts made with the plaintiffs during his minority.” The plaintiffs’ reply to the answer was as follows: “Plaintiffs admit the allegations of defendant Harker’s answer, but state that, before the goodsfor which this suit is brought were sold to Eae & Harker, said defendant Harker represented that he was then more than twenty-one years of age, and that before said goods were sold, and up to the time this action was begun, said Harker was engaged in business as an adult, and that plaintiffs had good reason to believe him capable of contracting.” It will be observed that it is admitted by the pleadings that Harker was a minor at the time the goods were purchased, and the only question in controversy on the trial in the district court was whether, notwithstanding the minority of the defendant, he was liable personally for the goods, by reason of his having represented that ■ he was more than twenty-one years of age before said goods were sold, and whether he was engaged in business as an adult, and plaintiffs had good reason to believe he was capable of contract
II. There was a conflict in the evidence upon the questions in issue, as to whether the defendant should be held liable to plaintiffs by reason of misrepresentations as to his majority, and, whether from his having engaged in business as an adult, the plaintiffs had good reason to believe him capable of contracting. As we read the evidence, there was a clear preponderance in favor of the defendant. However that may be, we are clearly of the opinion that the issues of fact in the case were fairly presented to the jury in the instructions of the court. It is true that exceptions were taken to the refusal to give certain instructions requested by plaintiffs, and to instructions given by the court on its own motion. We discover no error in this respect, and we think these objections do not demand special consideration. The judgment of the district court is AEEIRMED.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.