Thompson v. Marshall
Thompson v. Marshall
Opinion of the Court
The action is one to enforce the specific performance of a contract for the sale of land. From a decree for the plaintiff the defendants appeal.
It is alleged in the petition that the defendant, the Equitable Land Company, a corporation, with its principal place of business at Hastings, Nebraska, vas the owner of the title, and that on the 6th day of October, 1902, it entered into a written contract with the plaintiff for the sale of the real estate at an agreed consideration of $320, of which sum $120 was to be paid in cash, $100 in one year, and $100 in two years thereafter, the deferred payments to bear interest at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum; that pursuant to the terms of the agreement
The facts with reference to the title appear to be that one J. F. Wells died intestate siezed of the title to the land in dispute. ITis heirs were Sophia A. Wells, widoAv, and Jennie W. Ruedi, a daughter, residents of the state of Ohio. These heirs conveyed the title to the defendant, Equitable Land Company, in trust, to be by that company disposed of for their benefit. On October 3, 1902, the plaintiff procured her brother-in-law, James F. Walpole, to write to McKinley & Lanning of Hastings, Nebraska, relative to the purchase of -the land. This letter is not in evidence. To this letter of inquiry McKinley & Lanning answered as follows: “Hastings, Neb., 10-6-02. James P. Walpole, Carey, Nebraska. Dear Sir: We have yours of October 3d, and note contents. We think the WJ SE-j-, WJ NE-J, 9-32-53, in Sioux county, known as the Gearge Brown land, can be sold for $320. If $120 is paid in cash, three years time can be given on the remainder at 7 per cent, interest, with the privilege of paying $50 or any multiple thereof at any interest payment and stopping-interest on the amount paid. Yours truly, McKinley '& Lanning.” On October 15 of the same year plaintiff deposited in the Commercial State Bank of Crawford, Nebraska, $120, and procured the cashier of that bank to write the following letter to McKinley & Lanning: “Crawford, Neb., October 15th, 1902. Messrs McKinley & Lanning, Hastings, Neb. Gents: Yours of the 6th inst was handed to me by Jas. F. Walpole, Carey, Neb., for reply, who desires that a warranty deed for the following described land: WJ SEJ and W-J NEj-, 9-32-53, Sioux Co., Neb., be executed in favor of Ann Thompson of Sioux Co., Neb., who upon receipt of same, accompanied by an abstract of title showing title perfect and no incumbrance, will adjust in the following manner; Gash down, $120; Note due in one year, $100; Note due in two years, $100 — $320; with interest at
The conclusion of the trial court is not supported by the evidence, and it is recommended that the decree be reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings.
By the Court: For the reasons stated in the foregoing opinion, the decree of the trial court is reversed and the
Reversed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Ann Thompson v. D. Frank Marshall
- Status
- Published