Grayson v. Buie
Grayson v. Buie
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiff leased a plantation, situated on the Bceuf river, to the defendant for three years. The terms of the lease were
The judge did not err in refusing the defendant the right to prove in what condition the leased premises were when he took possession of them. Whatever their condition was then his obligation was to restore them in good repair, and the question was, were they in good repair when they were returned. Neither did he err in refusing to admit in evidence plaintiff’s receipt for the rent. She was not suing for rent, but for damages. He did, however, err in refusing to permit the defendant to establish that when the money for the lease was paid, plaintiff expressed herself gratified with the condition of the leased premises. We think he erred also in not allowing the defendant to prove that the matters involved in the suit had been adjusted before proceedings were taken. His payment of the rent may have been made only upon the stipulation that it was to be regarded as a final settlement between them.
Defendant offered to prove by a witness that the fence inclosing the leased premises was, when he returned them, in as good repair as other fences inclosing plantations in the same neighborhood. The judge did not err when he refused to admit this testimony. The contract referred to no fences except those surrounding the property leased by the plaintiff. The condition of the fences of other people, or whether there were any fences on their property or not, was not a matter of any particular concernment to her. Neither did he err in not allowing the defendant to prove that the fence was sufficient to keep out the stock j that no stock broke through the fence; that the dilapidated condition of the fences was the natural result of decay; that the
It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the verdict of the jury be set aside, and the judgment of the district court rendered thereon be avoided, annulled and reversed, and that the case be remanded to the district court to be proceeded in according to law and according to the views herein expressed, plaintiff to pay costs of appeal.
Rehearing refused.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Mrs. Martha Grayson, Administratrix, and in her own right v. John Buie
- Status
- Published