DeKarske v. Woelffer
DeKarske v. Woelffer
Opinion of the Court
The complaint alleges that defendants formed what was known as the 105th Cavalry Band, of Watertown, Wisconsin, a voluntary organization; that on or about February 9, 1931, plaintiff and defendants entered into an agreement in writing for the performance of services on the part of plaintiff as band director for a period of one year,
Plaintiff contends that the findings of fact are not sustained by the evidence. The facts need not be stated in great detail. During the course of negotiations between the parties, a contract calling for a year’s employment of plaintiff by the band was submitted to him for approval by Woelffer. This contract provided that plaintiff direct twenty concerts without extra pay. It also provided that the band might terminate the contract at any time during the year if plaintiff’s services were unsatisfactory or if the band’s finances were insufficient to meet his salary. The contract as submitted by plaintiff for signature provided for eleven free concerts, and deleted the paragraph giving the option to the band to terminate plaintiff’s services. It also varied from the proposed contract in several less important respects. The contract proposed by the band was submitted to plaintiff on January 6, 1931, for his consideration. The plaintiff took this draft to Milwaukee, and on February 2d came to Water-town to direct the band. Woelffer asked him at that time if the proposed contract was satisfactory, and plaintiff said he
The evidence clearly sustains findings to the effect that the contract was signed by mistake, and that Woelffer was not guilty of such negligence as would preclude the defendants from setting up the defense of mistake. In Johnson v. Parker, 34 Wis. 596, it was said:
“Where a party enters into a contract under a clear bona fide mistake, ignorance or forgetfulness of facts material thereto, he may, on that account, avoid or rescind such contract, provided the rights of innocent third parties will not be prejudiced by such avoidance. And, in such case, it is not material to inquire whether such party might not, by reasonable diligence, have ascertained correctly the facts which he had forgotten, or in regard to which he was so mistaken or in ignorance as aforesaid.”
By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- DeKarske v. Woelffer and others
- Status
- Published