Bellamy v. Ragsdale
Bellamy v. Ragsdale
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The statement of the defendant, Ragsdale, is, that by the parol contract of sale to Bellamy it was stipulated, that if the purchase money, f 85, should not be paid with its interest by a named day, about two years ahead, the sale should be. void, and the vendor should have the right to enter upon the two acres, sold and take it and the improvements which Bellamy might make upon it, without paying for them. Considering that the lot was in woods; that it was adjacent to a village, and was bought for the very purpose of improving and fitting it for habitation, such a contract would be one of some rigor. “ This consideration, together with the fact that the vendee proceeded immediately to clear the lot and to put improvements upon it, at the cost of several hundred dollars, while it certainly would make the rigid inforcement of such a contract a case of hardship, tends also, in some degree, to render its existence improbable. And the single witness by whom it is proved, although not absolutely discredited, is not beyond suspicion.
But assuming tbat such was the contract,' it was merely in parol, and consequently its terms might be changed by parol, and the forfeiture which it imports might be waived by words and acts without writing.
Under these circumstances we are of opinion, that the forfeiture is gone; that the original agreement as to time of payment, and the consequences of failure is changed and superceded by subsequent agreement; and that the case stands simply upon a parol contract of Bale, unexecuted by either party, except as to the possession, and which, upon the bill of the vendee tendering payment and praying for a specific execution, or a rescission, upon equitable terms, the
There is nothing to take this case out of the common principle that as in the view of the parties the use of the land must have been regarded as equivalent to the use of the money to be given for it; the interest upon the agreed price from the time.of the purchase is the criterion for the rent to be charged against the vendee. In case of rescission, therefore, the account between the parties should be made up by charging against Bellamy, the vendee, the interest upon $35 from the date of the purchase, which may be compounded at the time when the principal and interest should have been paid, and also the damages arising from cutting the wood and timber from the land, and any other waste or deterioration committed or suffered by him, and on the other hand, he should be credited or Ragsdale should be charged with the value, at the time of assessment, of such improvements as were made upon the land by Bellamy after his purchase, and for any balance in favor of Bellamy he would have a lien on the land. But it should be at the option of Ragsdale, the vendor, whether he will specifically execute the contract or rescind it upon the terms above stated.
The decree, enforcing the forfeiture against Bellamy, is entirely inconsistent with the principles of this opinion, and for that reason, without noticing other objections, said decree is reversed, and the causes remanded, with directions that Ragsdale be allowed (or ruled if necessary,) to make his election to execute or rescind the parol sale, and for further proceedings and decree thereon not inconsistent with this opinion.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.