Chase v. Wolgamot
Chase v. Wolgamot
Opinion of the Court
In December, 1903, these parties exchanged real estates, the plaintiff deeding to the defendant ten vacant lots for an equity in a brick store building. The store building was incumbered by two mortgages, one for $2,000 and the other for $1,000. The building was at the time occupied by the defendant’s father, A. E. Wolgamot, .as we understand the record, and had been so occupied for some years prior to the trade. Tie represented the defendant in the transaction in question, and by his‘acts she is bound. This action was brought to rescind the exchange on the ground of fraudulent representations as to the condition of the property, and for false representations as to the maturity of the larger of the two mortgages thereon.
The evidence conclusively shows that at the time of the exchange the building was in an unsafe condition and practically worthless except for the material that might be saved therefrom when it was razed. It was in fact afterwards torn down by order of the city council of Webster City, because of its dangerous condition. While the record shows that the condition .of the building was fairly apparent, the cause of such condition was a very material matter, and, as to such cause, the plaintiff was not informed and could not be by a mere inspection of the building. He was not bound to have it examined by experts to ascertain the cause of its shape, but might rely, as he did, upon the statements of the defendant’s agent, who thoroughly knew the building by reason of his long occupancy, and the cause of its then condition. This he fraudulently misrepresented to the plaintiff, and thereby induced the exchange of properties.
It is said, however, that the .plaintiff treated the property as his own after he knew its • unsafe condition, and,
The judgment is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- D. C. Chase v. W. O. Wolgamot
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published