McBrayer v. Smith
McBrayer v. Smith
Opinion of the Court
Appellant sued the appellee in the justice court of Fannin county, to recover a piano, or its value. Judgment was rendered in favor of the appellee in both the justice and the county courts. The facts show that in April, 1910, appellant and his brother, who were doing business under the firm name of McBrayer Bros., opened what they called a “special sale” of pianos at Honey Grove, and employed one J. F. Smith to assist them. This special sale continued during the month of April and until about the 20th of May following, when it was closed and the McBrayer Bros, moved that portion of the pianos which had not been disposed of to Whitewright, Tex. The piano in question belonged to the appellant. It was put in with the stock at Honey Grove for sale, and later placed in the residence of a prospective purchaser,for trial. It was left there when the stock was removed to White-wright. J. F. Smith testified for the appel-lee that McBrayer Bros, had agreed to pay him for his services in assisting them in conducting this special sale one-third of the profits. After their removal to Whitewright, he undertook to secure a settlement, and the payment of what he claimed was due him, but failed. Smith, acting under the advice of an attorney, went out and took possession of this piano and sold it to the appellee, A. T. Smith.
The court charged upon the issues of partnership and agency, and authorized a finding in favor of the appellee if the jury believed there was a partnership between J. F. Smith and McBrayer Bros., or that Smith was their agent, and had apparent authority to sell the piano in controversy. These charges are complained of in the assignments of error.
We not only think the court erred in charging as he did, but also that the verdict of the jury is unsupported by the testimony.
The judgment is accordingly reversed, and the cause remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- McBrayer v. Smith.
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- 2 cases
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- Published