Bottom v. Croal
Bottom v. Croal
Opinion of the Court
This suit grows out of a contract wherein it is claimed the defendant agreed to deliver to plaintiff two carloáds of potatoes. One of the carloads was deliv
There was evidence tending to show that the plaintiff had bought of defendant another carload of potatoes. It seems, however, that after the disagreement between the parties as to the quality of the potatoes- hereinbefore referred to, the defendant .failed to deliver to the plaintiff the other carload so sold. It was a part of the understanding when the dispute between the plaintiff and defendant, concerning the carload of potatoes first mentioned, was adjusted, that the second carload of potatoes were to be turned over to one Clemons, who was to sell them and hold the proceeds, and out of the same pay to plaintiff whatever defendant might be found indebted to him on account of said first carload of potatoes. Clemons sold the potatoes and now has the money realized from their sale in his possession. But before any money was paid by Clemons to plaintiff, he, the plaintiff, commenced a suit by
On the trial, the court very properly instructed the jury that their verdict should be for the defendant on the first count of plaintiff’s petition, wherein he claimed $40 damages for failure of defendant to deliver the carload of potatoes which he had himself agreed should be turned over to said Clemons. The second count of plaintiff’s petition was founded on the defendant’s indebtedness to him for the $19.59, aforesaid. Under the instructions of the court the case on this count was submitted to a jury, which found a verdict for the defendant. The plaintiff appeals and assigns errors in the admission and rejection of evidence, in giving and refusing instructions and in making of improper remarks to the jury during the trial by the judge.
The real issue in the case was, whether there had been an accord and satisfaction of the $19.59 which the defendant was found to be indebted to plaintiff on the first carload of potatoes. This issue was fairly submitted to the jury by an appropriate instruction. The plaintiff’s instruction was refused by the court because the same .did not respond to the issue made as aforesaid. Both parties, during the trial, had substantially agreed that the dispute as to the first carload of potatoes had been adjusted, and the remarks of the judge, when attorneys would attempt to go over the evidence in reference thereto, were merely to call attention to the fact that that matter had been adjusted. If a trial judge is to be censured for matters of this kind, his office would be without dignity and power, and none “would be so poor as to do him reverence.” The judge was strictly in the line of his duty in the matter complained of, and he is to be commended for a strict and faithful discharge thereof.
Cause affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.