Wasmer v. Lean
Wasmer v. Lean
Opinion of the Court
This action was brought by the defendant in error against the plaintiff in error to recover a sum claimed as commissions for services rendered in procuring a purchaser for certain real estate.
The petition in the court below alleges that the defendant, some time in the month of January, 1888, placed in the hands of the plaintiff, for sale on commission, lots 11 and 12 in block 19 of the city of St. Paul, in this state, for the sum of $3,500; that defendant agreed to pay plaintiff a commission of five per cent on the first $1,000, and two and one-half per cent on the balance of the said $3,500 if plaintiff would furnish a customer for said property at that price; that on or about the third day of August, 1888, plaintiff found a customer for said property who purchased the same at the price named; that plaintiff negotiated and effected said sale, and that there is due him from defendant, as the commission agreed upon, $112.50.
The answer of the defendant is a general denial. There was a trial to a jury with a verdict and judgment for the plaintiff' for the above-named sum. Defendant having moved in vain for a new trial, brought the case to this court by petition in error.
There are some half-dozen errors assigned, but one of which is presented or argued in the brief of counsel, and that alone will be examined. It is: “That the verdict is not sustained by sufficient evidence.”
Upon the trial, George E. Lean, the plaintiff, was called and examined as a witness in his own behalf. He testified that he was by occupation cashier of the First National Bank of St. Paul, and acquainted with Charles Wasmer, the defendant; that in January, 1888, he made a contract with defendant in regard to selling the real estate described
Upon cross-examination the plaintiff admitted’ that he was not a real estate agent by profession; that the defendant came to him in response to a letter which witness wrote to him, asking what he would take for the property.
Mr. A. E.. Cady was called and sworn on the part of the plaintiff, and testified that he was acquainted with the defendant, Mr. Wasmer. That on the 3d day of August he came to the bank sometime in the morning and inquired for Mr. Lean; witness told him that Mr. Lean was out of town. Witness and defendant then sat down in the outside office of the bank, and defendant said that unless that property
Upon cross-examination it was brought out pretty .clearly from-this witness,, that he was, during all of the time embraced in these transactions, an officer or employe of the bank of which Mr. Lean was cashier, but in what capacity does not appear, and that shortly after the first, visit of the defendant to the bank, which he made in response to the letter of the plaintiff, this witness, at the request of the plaintiff, agreed with him to render him all possible assistance in' procuring a purchaser of the defendant’s lots and carry out the understanding between the defendant and the plaintiff in respect thereto.
Mr. R. C. Dallas was called and sworn as a witness for the plaintiff and testified that on the 3d or 4th of August, 1888, he bought lots 11 and 12 from Mr. Wasmer and paid $3,500 for them; that lie first learned that this property was for sale from Mr. George E. Lean, and again
Upon cross-examination this witness stated in full that he purchased the property; that plaintiff was present when he purchased it; that he was present both on the 3d and 4th days of August; that at the conversation in the back room of the bank of the 3d day of August referred to by Mr. Cady, witness and defendant agreed upon the business and the price according to what witness Cady stated; that the sale was then made and agreed upon on the 3d, but not secured until the 4th. There was nothing paid on the purchase on the 3d, the actual payment and exchange of papers was made on the 4th; that negotiations were all done in the back office of the bank, and witness had nothing to do with it; the sale was not consummated until the 4th; that witness paid Charles Wasmer $3,500; the First National bank advanced $2,500, and there was a note went in for $1,000; this was all turned over to Mr. Wasmer. Witness further stated that he did not know the actual date that the sale was consummated; that George Lean really consummated the sale; that the witness did not pay a cent down on the 3d day of August, but that on the 4th day he paid $3,500 down.
The plaintiff being recalled as a witness on his own behalf, further testified that on the 3d day of August he returned from Elby somewhere about 6 o’clock; that he saw the defendant that evening; first learned that he was in town from Mr. Cady; that witness remarked to him that he thought he had made a good sale in disposing of his property, and he said that he thought it was. Plaintiff told
Charles Wasmer, the defendant, was sworn and examined as a witness on his own behalf. In his testimony he contradicted quite a number of the statements of the plaintiff. Defendant also called Harry Schikendantz as a witness on his behalf. I do not deem it necessary to state the evidence of either of these witnesses further than to say that so far as it was material to the issue, it consisted solely in contradiction of facts stated in evidence on the part of the plaintiff. The facts testified to by witnesses on the part of the plaintiff are, in my view, sufficient to sustain the verdict, and in view of the verdict must be taken as true. The judgment of the district courtis therefore
Aeeirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Charles Wasmer v. George E. Lean
- Status
- Published