McPhee v. McDermott
McPhee v. McDermott
Opinion of the Court
This action was brought against the defendants to recover a balance due the plaintiff for cutting and delivering to them logs and timber. The plaintiff obtained a judgment in the circuit court, and from this judgment the defendant McDermott appeals to this court. Sullivan does not appeal.
The evidence showed that the plaintiff’s proposition in regard to putting in the logs had been accepted by both the defendants, and that a few days afterwards a more formal contract was made, and signed by the plaintiff and Sullivan only. In regard to that matter Sullvan testified: “ There was notMng particular said between us before the contract
It is evident that the learned circuit judge did not err in refusing to nonsuit the plaintiff as to the defendant McDer-mott. There were no exceptions taken to the instructions of the court to the jury, and it is only necessary to consider the exceptions taken on the trial to the evidence offered by the plaintiff, and the exception to the ruling of the court on the objection of the defendant to the introduction of any evidence under the second cause of action stated in the complaint. This objection was made before any evidence was offered in the case. We do not deem it necessary to consider whether the statement of facts in the second cause of action is sufficient or not —first, because there was no exception taken to the evidence offered, if there was any such in fact offered, when it was so offered on the trial; and, second, because there is sufficient evidence in the case to sustain the verdict and the judgment upon the first cause of action stated. If there was no evidence to sustain the second cause of action, it is to be presumed that the court so instructed the jury.
The third objection is of no consequence, as the plaintiff did not seek to recover on that contract between Sullivan and Gardiner & Co., and, as the witness himself stated during his examination that the contract was not in fact signed 'by McDermott, no damage was done by his first statement that it was so signed. ITis testimony corrected itself.
Fourth. The defendant objected to the statement of Sullivan, as a witness for the plaintiff, as to what Maxim had stated to him in regard to what was due Sullivan on his contract with Gardiner & Co. This evidence was only a parol statement of the account between Sullivan and Gar-diner & Co., and that account was offered - in evidence in the case by the defendant McDermott himself,’and is substantially as stated by Sullivan. We fail to see how that evidence could prejudice the defendant McDermott in this action.
Fifth. The defendant moved to strike out the evidence of the plaintiff in regard to the work done under the written bid. It is objected that this evidence was inadmissible because the evidence shows that a few days after the written bid for the work, and the joint acceptance of the same by both defendants, another contract, setting out more particularly the terms of the contract, was only signed by Sullivan; bút the contention of the plaintiff was, and there was evidence in the case showing, that, notwithstanding this second written contract, the agreement was that both
As there was sufficient evidence to sustain the verdict, the refusal of the trial court to grant a new trial on the merits is conclusive upon this court on appeal.
By the Gourt.— The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- McPhee v. McDermott, imp.
- Status
- Published