Brown v. Board
Brown v. Board
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
Appellees, the heirs-at-law of Felix Mercer, deceased, having in their reply waived the right to plead and rely upon the statute of frauds as a defense, and consenting that a conveyance of the house in controversy should be made to appellant upon satisfactory proof by him that he purchased and paid for the property, the only question really in the case is, whether he has made such proof.
By two witnesses, whose credibility no attempt was made to impeach, he proved that Felix Mercer sold to him the house and lot at a fixed price, put him in possession, acknowledged the full payment, and promised to make to him a deed therefor. As the statements of these two witnesses are not contradicted, improbable, or materially contradictory, or incompetent, there appears no reason to reject them and they must be taken as true.
We do not regard the pleadings by appellant or the proceedings had in the action by him against the administrators of Felix Mercer, deceased, referred to by counsel as an estoppel, as even inconsistent with the claim set up in this action by appellant.
We are therefore of the opinion that appellant is entitled to the possession of the house and lot and a deed therefor, and that the court below erred in confirming the report of sale to appellee, Smith, and in directing a writ of possession to issue to him. Wherefore the judgment is reversed and cause remanded with directions to set aside the confirmation of sale and restore the possession to appellees, and for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.