Stevens v. Thompson
Stevens v. Thompson
Opinion of the Court
Complainant, in 1892, was the owner of a farm containing about 121 acres in Hillsdale county. It was incumbered by two mortgages, aggregating about $2,000-Complainant was a married man, living in Hillsdale, the farm not being occupied as a homestead. Defendant was the owner of a farm of 169 acres, situate in Clinton and Ingham counties, subject to a mortgage of about $2,600. The husband of defendant, acting as agent for his wife, called upon complainant for the purpose of negotiating an exchange of these farms. It is claimed by complainant that Mr. Thompson represented his wife’s farm as of a dark, loamy, gravelly soil, with 10 acres of timber, 10 acres of low, wet land, and the rest plow land, and that he would make an even exchange, each to take subject to the mortgages. Negotiations for the exchange commenced in January, 1892, and on February 5 Thompson induced complainant to go and look at defendant’s farm. Complainant claims that when he got there he found the land covered with snow; that he could not examine the soil, but, while there, Mr. Thompson pointed out the boundaries of the farm. He was at the farm but a short time, and returned the same night. An exchange was made upon the terms stated, and, in addition, it is claimed by complainant that the defendant was to take some personal property on complainant’s. farm, and to pay the sum of $360 in cash for it. After the deeds were exchanged, the defendant refused to take the personal property, or to pay the $360, denying that any such arrangement was made. Complainant afterwards made an examination of the farm taken by him, and claims that the soil was light sand, and that there were over 70 acres of low, wet, marshy, and irreclaimable land. Complainant had not yet surrendered possession of his farm to defendant, and, upon discovering the condition of defendant’s farm, he, together with his wife, made, executed, and acknowledged a deed of the farm to defendant
. We think the proofs abundantly sustain the complainant’s case, and that the fraud is fully established. It will therefore need no diseussion.
It is contended, however, by counsel for defendant, that the bill 'is framed on the theory that, because defendant refused to accept and pay for the personal property, the complainant was entitled to a rescission of the contract. There is a clause in the bill which states:.
“ Such deeds were duly acknowledged and delivered and recorded, and thereupon the said defendant absolutely refused to carry out and perform any other part of the said agreement of exchange hereinbefore stated, and absolutely refused to accept and receive said personal property from your orator, and to pay to your orator the said sum of $360.”
This statement in no manner changes the claim made by the bill. The bill is framed upon the theory that the complainant was induced to make the exchange in reliance upon the false and fraudulent representations of defendant’s agent as to the character of the soil and amount of plow land, and then the above clause is added, showing that defendant’s agent not only misrepresented the character of the soil and amount of plow land, but refused to carry out the other part of the agreement.
It is said, however, that the complainant, when the tender of the deed was made to defendant, again demanded the payment of the $360, and put his' claim for a right of rescission of the contract expressly upon the refusal of
It is insisted that the complainant’s wife is a necessary party to the bill. The deed tendered was executed by the wife, as well as complainant, and effectually barred her dower. The decree of the court below provided that the defendant make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver a deed to complainant of the lands in Hillsdale county, and that the complainant and his wife make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver a deed of the Clinton and Ingham county lands to the defendant. The condition upon which complainant is to have his deed canceled and title restored is that he and his wife make and deliver this deed. The wife of complainant is not a necessary party, and the rights of the defendant are in no way affected by this omission.
The decree of the court below must be affirmed, with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Harmon L. Stevens v. Julia Ella Thompson
- Status
- Published