Waters v. Register
Waters v. Register
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered -by
On December the 3d, 1903, W. H. Adams, a resident of Florence, -died intestate, and his dead body was taken in charge by two¡ young men who had lived with him nearly all of 'their lives, thus occupying somewhat the relation of foster children. At the request of these young men, W. M. Waters, an undertaker in the city of Florence, -furnished a -coffin and other articles for the funeral of Mr. Adams. Sometime later, 'the defendant, Amanda Register, was- appointed administratrix of W. H. Adams, and plaintiff presented to her, as such administratrix, a bill for $92.75, funeral expenses of her intestate. Payment was refused and this suit was brought. The defendant demurred to the complaint on the ground “that it does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, in that the alleged service and furnishings were not based on contract, and does not purport to have been made with the party who had the legal right toi bind the estate, -and it -does not further appear that said services and furnishings -a-ndi undertaking expenses alleged to have been furnished were reasonable and proper, with reference to the intestate’s condition, station in life and financial condition.” The magistrate overruled the demurrer. The defendant then offered in writing to allow judgment for $57.75 and costs to be entered against her, but this was refused. The defendant then answered, 'setting up the defense, “that the said alleged services, furnishings and burial -expenses -are extravagant and unreasonable with reference to the value of the said intestate’s estate and his station and condition in life.” The oaus.e was heard before magistrate E. W. Dloyd and a jury on the 27th of M-arch, 1905, *134 and resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed. On appeal to the Circuit Court, the judgment of the magistrate was* affirmed. The defendant now appeals to -this Court.
It is the judgment of 'this* Court, that the judgment of the Circuit Court be affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Waters v. Register.
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. One who provides the reasonable funeral expenses of a decedent at the instance of foster children is entitled to be paid by the personal representative as on a quasi contract. 2. Evidence — Price.—Upon the issue of the value of a casket furnished by an undertaker evidence as to the value of like caskets at wholesale is not pertinent, but it should be confined to value at retail.