Peycke v. Shinn
Peycke v. Shinn
Opinion of the Court
This is the second appearance of this case. Our former opinion is reported in 68 Neb. 343. The facts necessary to be noticed are: That Peycke Brothers, of Omaha, had a branch house at Kansas City, and maintained a place of business both at Kansas City and Omaha. H. O’Berste was buying potatoes in Arkansas, and in the spring of 1898
There are two principal contentions as to the merits of the controversy: First, as to the authority of O’Berste to bind his principal by an agreement to pay 50 cents a bushel at the time he entered into the contract; and, second, that the transaction relative to the last two cars amounted to a consignment on commission. Both of these contentions are untenable. At the time the contract was made, O’Berste had express authority from his principal to buy potatoes during that week for 50 cents a bushel. The contract Avas clearly within the scope of his authority as agent, with the single exception that he ordinarily paid cash; but the defendants were not prejudiced by this departure. The agent was supplied with the necessary funds to pay for the potatoes, and might have done so, had he chosen to remain at Russellville until the potatoes were loaded and weighed. The course pursued by him however, was one best adapted to the circumstances, and was ratified by his'principal when the first two car-loads were received and the sight-drafts honored without question. Furthermore, payment of the drafts for the two latter cars was waived by Shinn, and Peycke Brothers received the potatoes knoAving that they had not been paid for by their agent. There was involved no question of a lack of good faith, and the evidence discloses a complete accounting be
It is urged, however, that Shinn knew, before the last two cars were shipped, that Peycke Brothers had revoked the authority of O’Berste to pay 50 cents a bushel for the potatoes. Such action, however, was too late, after the contract was made in good faith. In that connection, too, it is worthy of notice that there is involved in the issue no question of the difference in price between the price agreed upon and the one which the agent was authorized to pay in the telegram of June 14. Peycke Brothers treated the shipment, not as a sale, but as a consignment on commission, and they should not now be permitted-to urge, after litigation has commenced, that their liability, in any event, was only for 40 cents a bushel. As to the claim that the last shipment should be treated as a consignment on commission, because of the fact that Shinn authorized delivery without payment, thus rendering the contract separable, such action on the part of Shinn could not. have the effect contended for. The contract was still entire in the sense that either party had the right to full performance. Williams v. Robb, 104 Mich. 242, 62 N. W. 353.
The other questions urged relate to the admission and sufficiency of the evidence. It will be observed that the action was against Ernest Peycke and Julius Peycke, doing business under the firm name and style of Peycke Brothers, while the transaction was with Peycke Brothers, and it is said that no evidence is to be found in the record that Ernest Peycke and Julius Peycke were doing business under the name of Peycke Brothers. The correspondence, however, from Peycke Brothers was on printed letterheads ; the printed portion, in so far as it is material, is in this form:
“Ernest Peycke.
Julius Peycke.
Peycke Bros., Wholesale Brokerage and Commission, Omaha, Neb.,
Des Moines, la.
Kansas City, Mo.”
Again, it is urged that no foundation was laid for the introduction of the letters received by O’Berste from Peycke Brothers. In our former opinion (68 Neb. 343.), this question was the controlling one in the determination of the case, and it was held that no sufficient foundation was disclosed by the record. The first paragraph of the syllabus is as follows:
“Where it is sought to establish a contract by letters, there must be evidence tending to prove that they are in the handwriting of the defendant, or that they came from him or his authorized agent, or were received in due course of mail, in answer to letters duly mailed to the address of the party sought to be bound.”
At the second trial we think the plaintiff was entirely within that rule. The testimony of O’Berste is direct and positive that the letters introduced were received in answer to letters, from him addressed to Peycke Brothers at Omaha. Furthermore, the defendants produced on the cross-examination of O’Berste the identical letters written by him, had them identified, and they were offered and received as a part of the cross-examination. We entertain no doubt that the letters were properly received.
The only remaining question is as to the admissibility of the letters of administration. It is said that they were not properly authenticated, and that it was not shown that Jacob L. Shinn, therein named, was the J. L. Shinn of this action. It is not suggested wherein the letters are not properly authenticated. They are certified by the county clerk, ex officio clerk of the probate court, as well as by the judge of that court, under seal. There is also attached the
We were not favored with a brief on behalf of tbe defendant in error, and are therefore ignorant of tbe views entertained by bis counsel. We are satisfied, however, that tbe judgment is right, and recommend that it be affirmed.
By tbe Court: For tbe reasons stated in tbe foregoing opinion, tbe judgment of tbe district court is
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Ernest Peycke v. Edgar Shinn, Administrator
- Status
- Published