Empire Guano Co. v. Cornelius , 19 Ala. App. 459 ( 1923 )

The appellant brought suit against appellee to recover a balance alleged to be due on a promissory note, executed by appellee to Goddard Bros. Copeland, a partnership. The complaint averred that the note "was indorsed to plaintiff for a valuable consideration before maturity and in the usual course of trade."

Among other pleas, appellee filed in the circuit court plea A which reads as follows:

"Now comes the defendant and for further answer to the complaint pleads and says that the note herein sued on has been altered since its execution, in this: There have been written in the face of said note the following words and figures: '700 pounds of Rain 10-2-2,' or '2,000 pounds of 12-0-2' or '$191.70 one hundred-ninety one and 70/100,' all of which the defendant pleads as a defense to this suit,"

No objection was taken to the plea by demurrer or otherwise. No replication was filed. The evidence without conflict proved the plea. Where parties join issue on an immaterial plea, and the plea is proven, the defendant is entitled to a verdict and judgment. Sloss-Sheffield S. I. Co. v. Vinzant, 153 Ala. 212,44 So. 1015. The trial court properly gave the affirmative charge for the defendant.

Furthermore the bill of exceptions failing to affirmatively show that it contains all of the evidence raises a presumption in favor of the ruling of the trial court as to the giving of the affirmative charge. Sherrill v. L. N. R. R. Co., 148 Ala. 1,44 So. 153.

The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.

Affirmed.