Everett v. Stuck
Everett v. Stuck
Opinion of the Court
—This action originated before a justice of the peace. The complaint is as follows: “Comes now the plaintiff and says that the defendant is indebted to him in the sum of $125 for work and labor performed by the plain
The appellant did not file any answer, and the case proceeded to trial and judgment under the issue made by the statute. There was judgment before the justice, and also on appeal to the Allen Superior Court, for appellee.
One of the errors assigned is the overruling of the motion for a new trial, and this is the only question appellant has discussed.
Appellee has not filed any brief, and we are left in ignorance of his theory of the case, only in so far as it is disclosed by the record. It is evident, however, from the complaint, that the action was upon the quantum meruit, to recover for work and labor done.
The first and second causes for a new trial are: (1) That the verdict is not sustained by sufficient evidence; (2) that the verdict is contrary ,to law.
A brief 'statement of the undisputed facts as disclosed by the record will suffice to show that the judgment can not stand. It is shown that appellant is a married woman and lives with her husband. The evidence of the appellee, one Phillip Kantz, and Charles E. Everett (appellant’s husband) discloses the uncontradicted and undisputed fact that Charles E. Everett employed appellee as hostler and to do general chores about his barn and house, for which he agreed to pay him $28 per month. Appellee commenced his service under that contract July 11, 1898, and quit his employment November 5th, following. August 22, 1898, Everett paid appellee $20 by check, and about August 25th, he (Everett) was called to Tennessee on business. Before going, he arranged with another party to pay appellee an additional sum of $17. Everett returned from Tennessee about the 22nd of the following November. While Everett was in Tennessee, appellee frequently asked appellant for money, and inquired of her and others when he (Everett)
The rule is firmly settled in this State that a party can not sue upon one theory and recover upon another. A party must recover secundum allegata et probata, or not at all. Sanders v. Hartge, 17 Ind. App. 243, and authorities there cited.
Here appellee sued upon the express theory that appellant employed him to perform certain labor for her. The evidence shows she never employed him, but that his employment was by her husband. If she is liable to appellee, it is upon her written assumption of her husband’s obligation and her written promise to pay. As to whether she is
The judgment is reversed, and the court below directed to sustain appellant’s motion for a new trial.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.