Kansas Grain & Live-Stock Co. v. Hartstein
Kansas Grain & Live-Stock Co. v. Hartstein
Opinion of the Court
In this case the plaintiff in error, who was the plaintiff below, has failed in his brief to specify the errors complained of in the trial court. There is no statement of facts, as required by the rules of this court. Neither the instructions of the trial court nor the evidence complained of, úpon which he relies for a reversal of this judgment, is set forth, and we cannot tell definitely what errors he relies upon for a reversal of this case. In the case of Baker v. Sears ( 2 Kan. App. 617), this court said :
“The rules of this court upon the subject of briefs were adopted to be observed and followed ; and a disregard of their plain requirements - by plaintiff in error, without valid excuse, is, of itself, sufficient reason for the affirmance of the judgment or the dismissal of the case.”
While the rules of practice have not been complied with, the rights of the litigants and the amount involved appeal to the discretion of the court and the case has been considered on its merits.
From the record in this case, it appears that on the twenty-sixth day of September, 1890, the plaintiff filed its amended petition, in .which it alleged in substance, that plaintiff is a corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Missouri. That on or about the second day of August, 1890, the plaintiff entered into a written contract with the defendant, by the terms of which the defendant agreed to sell to the plaintiff, at Macksville, Stafford County, Kansas, and deliver to it ten thousand bushels of corn ; that defendant agreed to sell and deliver said corn to plaintiff, at Macksville, for the price of thirty-eight cents
“July 31, 1890. — To G. Hartstein, Chicago, III.: Will give thirty-eight cents corn in crib. Answer quick.— S. H. Whitney.”
“To S. H. Whitney, Maclcsville, Kan.: Will accept thirty-eight cents for all corn in crib at Macksville. Answer acceptance.— G. Hartstein.”
“August 2, 1890. — To G. Hartstein, Chicago, III.: Will take corn in crib, at price named.— S. H. Whitney.” ,
The defendant, in answer to the petition of plaintiff, alleges in substance that he admits the sending and receiving of the telegrams. But he avers that he never at any time had any notice or knowledge that Whitney was acting for any other person than for himself, and that at the time Whitney sent the telegrams to the defendant he well knew that the defendant had agents in Macksville, Kan., who were undertaking to sell the corn, and that his agents were F. D. Wood-ford and J. T. Woodford.
It is further alleged in defendant’s answer that after receiving the telegram he started immediately for Macksville, the place where said corn was, and undertook then and there to deliver the corn to Whitney.
It is further alleged that no money has ever been paid, tendered or offered to this defendant for the corn. It is further claimed by the defendant that the plaintiff in this action released this defendant from all liability on account of his failure to deliver the corn.
The issue was submitted to a jury, and a verdict rendered for the defendant. The plaintiff brings the case here for review. The jury made special findings of fact, as follows :
“1. Is it not a fact that S. H. Whitney was an agent of plaintiff during the months of July and August, 1890? A.' Yes.
“2. Did defendant, prior to August 8, 1890, know that S. H. Whitney was plaintiff’s agent? A. No.
“3. Did S. H. Whitney know at the time he sent*868 the telegrams set forth in plaintiff’s petition that the corn therein named had been sold? A. Yes.
“4. Did the defendant know at the time he sent exhibit B — one of the telegrams attached to the plaintiff’s petition — that his agents had sold the corn in controversy? A. No.
“5. Did S. H. Whitney conceal from defendant the fact that the corn was sold at the time he made the contract named in plaintiff’s petition? A. Yes.
“6. Did not plaintiff release defendant from all liability on the contract sued on? A. Yes.
“7. Was not the corn in controversy sold by defendant’s agent prior to the time 8. H. Whitney sent the telegrams named in plaintiff’s petition? A. Yes.”
These findings are in harmony with the general verdict and fully supported by the evidence.
It is contended by plaintiff that the court erred in the instructions to the jury, but the instructions complained of are not set forth in the brief of plaintiff. Considered as an entirety, they are indefinite, but not misleading.
The judgment is right. It is supported by the greater weight of testimony, and must be sustained.
The judgment of the District Court is affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.