Cazier v. Stack
Cazier v. Stack
Opinion of the Court
This action grew out of an alleged breach of contract. The plaintiff had judgment. The defendant appeals.
In the complaint it is alleged that in October, 1911, the plaintiff and defendant entered into an agreement, by the terms of which the plaintiff agreed “to furnish the defendant f. o. b. Nephi City one hundred tons of baled alfalfa hay, good quality, on order during the fall and winter months next succeeding, for the sum and price of twelve dollars per ton, and defendant agreed to'pay plaintiff the said sum of twelve dollars per ton for all hay placed on board the ears at Nephi City for the defendant during said time up to the limit of one hundred tons.” It is further
“Although plaintiff was ready and willing at all times during said fall and winter months to furnish hay to the defendant in accordance with the terms of his said contract, the defendant, on or about the 1st day of February, 1912, and at various other times, notified plaintiff that he did not desire any more of said hay shipped to him, refused to live up to the terms of his said contract, and advised plaintiff that he would not consider himself bound further by the terms thereof.”
Then it is alleged that for the hay shipped the defendant paid $207.27, and that there was still due and unpaid $177.33'. Judgment was demanded for $177.33 and interest.
To this complaint the defendant interposed a general and special demurrer. It was overruled. The defendant answered and counterclaimed, alleging damages for plaintiff’s failure to deliver all the hay. «
The case was tried to the court. The facts were found as alleged in the complaint, and a judgment rendered in favor of the plaintiff for $177.33 and interest. The counterclaim was dismissed.
The facts are:
On September 29, 1911, the defendant, at Eureka," wrote the plaintiff at Nephi:
“Mr. Blaeket advises me that you have some good lucerne for sale. How much first cutting have you that you. will contract to sell me as I want it during the winter? Of course l will try and fix it so as to be convenient for you to load and may take two or three ears at a time. Just now 1 am filled up but will want some more latter part of October. Give your best price on first cutting.”
To this plaintiff on October 4th replied:
“I have fifty tons of first cutting and fifty tons of the nicest second crop that was ever grown that I will contract to sell you at $12 per ton f. o. b. Nephi. I will load the hay for you any time you want it during the fall and winter. * * * If you care to contract with me for the hay let me know. ”
On October 7th the defendant:
“I have plenty of hay for a month yet and will take you up on this offer and expect you to hold me the one hundred tons of hay. * * * I will take this amount of hay from you and expect you to deliver it to me even if hay should advance in price. Will lei yon know tuhen to ship me and will try and make it as convenient for you as possible.”
On the 13th of November the plaintiff, on defendant’s order, shipped him one car of hay containing 34,545 pounds, and on the 7th of December another car of 29,555 pounds.
“This was the rottenest deal on hay I have had yet. You promised to ship me good hay and unless you can do so I will not want any more. I am also entitled to reimbursement for the truck you had on those cars. ’ ’
The plaintiff replied that he was surprised at the contents of the letter and stated:
“If you are finding fault with the quality of the hay as an excuse for not wanting to live up to the contract you made with me for one hundred tons of hay I can tell, you that you have no need to worry about that as I have no trouble in selling my hay and I will gladly release you from the contract when you pay me for what hay you have had.”
No future'orders were received by the plaintiff from the defendant until the middle of April. On April 10, 1912, the plaintiff wrote the defendant demanding payment for the second ear shipped in December, and stated that he expected a check for $177.33 by return mail. The defendant, three days thereafter, wrote plaintiff:
“Please ship me balance of the one hundred tons hay that. I contracted for. You may ship it subject to bill lading. Can use it just as fast as you can load it. ’ ’
The plaintiff replied:
“Unless I receive check from you by return mail for $177.33, the amount due me for ear of hay shipped to you December 7, 1911, this account will be placed in the hands of'an attorney for collection.”
Four or five days thereafter the defendant wrote, slating that there was still due him sixty-eight tons of hay, and that:
He “held this hay in reserve until late winter as hay is always scarce at that túne. I must insist now on your shipping it without further delay. * * * The car I owe you for was not up to standard required by our agreement. If it had been I would have paid you long ago.”'
Upon this it is contended that the' defendant did not repudiate the contract, and that, under the terms thereof, he
The court found that the hay shipped was good hay and of the kind and quality described in the contract. Upon that question the evidence is in conflict; but there is sufficient evidence to support the finding. So, when the defendant ordered hay in April, the contract had been breached by him several months before by his failure and refusal to pay for the hay theretofore shipped him.
We are of the opinion that the judgment of the com-1 below should be affirmed, with costs.
Such is the order.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- CAZIER v. STACK
- Status
- Published