Anderson v. Vosburg
Anderson v. Vosburg
Opinion of the Court
The complaint alleges that on April 1, 1874, the defendant was lessee of the Nicollet House in Minneapolis, under a lease for the term of five years from
On the trial the plaintiff offered in evidence a contract between Burbank and defendant for “ the purchase, sale, transfer, and assignment of his (Burbank’s) right, title, interest, and claim whatsoever of the property connected with the Nicollet House, within the aforesaid city, as follows, to wit:” [Then follow thirteen clauses, specifying different kinds or classes of property, and then the following:]
“ 14. All contracts for hotel supplies, so far as the same are binding on the party of the second part, [said Burbank,] to be assumed and fulfilled bjr the party of the first part, [the defendant,] and all advances made on the same to be paid to the party of the second part.
“15. The contract for farm supplies to remain in force and be continued during the term of hotel lease, provided said supplies are as good as have been furnished, and the milk pure and unadulterated. The milk for the six months to wit, April, May, June, July, August, and September, to be delivered twice a day, if so required to keep the same from souring, at the price of twenty cents jier gallon, and during the remainder of the year to be delivered once a day, unless the roads are in such condition that the same are impassable, and in that event the party of the
This contract appears to be the one intended by the complaint. Whether, standing alone, it is such a contract, is the only question to be considered. It does not appear that •any (extrinsic facts or circumstances, in vieAV of which the -contract -cam be -construed, Avere proved or offered to be proved. Hadl it been the purpose of the parties, in their use of language, to -obscure their meaning, they could hardly have made .a more effective arrangement of it. It is claimed by plaintiff .that the language quoted shoAvs an agreement by Burbank to furnish, and defendant to receiAm, during .the lease, all the anilk needed for the hotel. The defendant ■claims that the language can be construed only as referring to some real or supposed preexisting contract, and that the intention Avas to transfer it to defendant, to be performed by him on conditions stated; and we think the entire language points more to the latter than the former meaning.
It is true, the statement as to how the milk shall be ■delivered; the price stated; the requirement, in a certain -contingency, of due '.diligence on the part of Burbank to deliver'it; .and the stipulation as to Avhen settlements shall be made; .and the Avords, “ all other supplies, as Arell as milk, -shall be taken from the said party of the second part
This clearly indicates a preexisting contract for farm sup-lilies, including milk, which is to remain in force and be-continued, provided, etc. Then follow stipulations as to how such contract should be carried out, which may or may not change the obligation that would attach to defendant upon an unqualified transfer to and assumption by him of the existing contract.
On the whole, wo conclude — though it is with some doubts —that clause 14 was intended to provide for a transfer to .defendant of all binding contracts for hotel supplies, including farm supplies, and for an assumption by him of Burbank’s obligations upon such contracts, and that clause 15 was intended to qualify, in some measure, defendant’s obligation to Burbank to fulfil the contract for farm supplies,
Cornell, J., having been of counsel, did not sit in this case.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- August Anderson v. R. H. Vosburg
- Status
- Published