Murray Co. v. Ouzts
Murray Co. v. Ouzts
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
The defendant signed a written contract of purchase of a ginning outfit from the plaintiff. The contract provided:
“In case of countermand, it is understood that the purchaser is to reimburse the Murray Company for any and all expenses incurred in this sale, and to pay to Murray Company 20 per cent, of the purchase price of this contract.”
His Honor, the trial Judge, charged the jury that the 20 per cent, was liquidated damages, and not a penalty, and directed the jury to find the full 20 per cent, sued for.
*390
IV.The last exception complains of error in the construction of certain letters written by the defendant to the plaintiff as a countermand of the order. The defendant wrote :
“Yours of the 5th at hand and duly noted, am very sorry that I cannot install new machinery. But as I explained to you on the 2nd of this month, unless you dispose of my old outfit, it will be impossible for me to install a new one.”
“I want the ‘Murray’ plant but I cannot meet your terms. If I could it would be a pleasure for me to install it.”
*391 "If you have bought engine and boiler for me, I will take same, if we can get together on terms, and I will try to install balance next year.”
"If you ship the entire outfit July 15th you do so at your own expense.”
The judgment is reversed and a new trial ordered.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.