Westenberg v. Bhend
Westenberg v. Bhend
Opinion of the Court
The following opinion was filed November 16, 1920:
In granting the motion for á -new trial the court used the following language':..
“I am of the' opinion and hold that- the verdict should be set aside and-' á new trial granted becáüsé the answérs of the jury to the first and second questions are inconsistent with the answer to the sixth question.”
In'.the issues formed in the consolidated action the defendant had two clairtls or causes of action against the plaintiff; one for.damages for. breach of promise of marriage, and another to recover upon a $3,500 note given in settlement of the breach-of-promise cause of action. These issues were litigated in the case. It was admitted that the plaintiff, Charles Westenberg, promised to marry the defendant, Ella Bhend, and the other issues, namely, that plaintiff, Charles .Westenberg, broke his promise to marry defendant, and that she sustained $1,500 damages in consequence thereof, that defendant did not' break .her promise to marry, plaintiff, Charles Westenberg, and that the $3,500 note was not given under duress, are' well supported' by the evidence and constitute the particular facts which show a consideration "for the noté given', when taken in connection with the other undisputed facts in the case.
"' The' consideration for the note, therefore, being estab- ' jished by. facts ■going to show consideration, the finding of thé jury in' the sixth' answer was simply a finding of a conclusion Of law" and was'a question for the court, arid should either have been changed or disregarded, since the ' finding of' facts, admission of the partiés, and" undisputed facts constitute a verily on "the question of consideration for the note. Robinson v. Washburn, 81 Wis. 404, 51 N. W. 578.
Moreover, in the case at bar there is practically no
Some question is. made by counsel for plaintiff to. the effect that .the settlement resulting in giving the $3,500 note was obtained by duress and ..that the note, was without consideration. A bona fide settlement pf the., matter in dispute in, this case, furnished a valid consideration ,for .the note given;, 'This doctrine is well settled", in 'this court. Kercheval v. Doty, 31 Wis. 476; Kowalke v. Milwaukee E. R. & L. Co. 103 Wis. 472, 79 N. W. 762; Galusha v. Sherman, 105 Wis. 263, 81 N. W. 495. The jury found against dúre.ss in' this', case, arid .the evidence established, without substantial" dispute that'the "settlement was riiade.'arid the note given "in compliance with said settlerrieht in satisfaction of the damages. ....... . .
We are therefore .satisfied thathupórí .ariy'theory ■o'f.. the case the "court below was i'n error .in ordering anew trial,” and that upon the verdict returned arid the'evidence the'defend.ant, Ella B fiend,,' wá.s. entitled to judgment’upon the. note given.. ; """ ,
By the Cpiiri&wkey;The order granting a,new tr'ial.'i'hreversed Oif 'the''defendants appeal, and"the cause,réthándéd ".with ..directions "to,, the.court' 'Below! to. ..change the'answer' to 4he sixth question from No to Yes and award judgment’ taffhe
A motion for a rehearing was denied, with $25 costs, on January 11, 1921. .
Reference
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