Gans v. Holland , 37 Ark. 483 ( 1881 )

OPINION.

Eakin, J.

psacpractice: Transcript on This is the same cause which was before Court under the style of Gist, Adm’r v. Gans, reported in 30 Ark. 285. Upon this appeal, the transcript only subsequent proceedings in the Court below, is brought up ; but the former transcript is still before us, and the Court takes notice of its contents.

Upon the return of the cause to the White Circuit Court, the defendant, Gist, for a further defense, pleaded that on a day in the year 1862, “ after the making of said contract in its original form,” his intestate, Thomas, had performed the obligation by delivering to plaintiff, at the town of Des Arc, the full amount of cotton. Gist was afterwards discharged from the administration, and Holland, as administrator de bonis non, substituted as defendant.

The cause was submitted to a jury upon the issues made, and a verdict was found for defendant. A motion for a new trial was overruled, and judgment accordingly — from which plaintiff appealed.

The note had been duly verified by affidavit and presented to the Probate Court, in the beginning. It was again introduced in evidence.

The plaintiff testified that no alteration had been made in the note, which was in his own handwriting. He explained its appearance by saying that “there was a difference in the color of the ink in the words ‘when called on,.51 and the T in the word April; and accounted for it by saying, that often, whilst writing, he would be interrupted and called away; and, when he would return to his desk, would take up a different pen to finish the writing upon which he had been engaged.” He did not swear that it had happened in this particular instance, but that it might have happened. He denied, positively, that he had altered the note, or pro-' cured it to be done. He denied that he had ever received any part of the cotton, by himself or by agent.

Gist, the former administrator, testified that, in the Spring of 1862, at the request of Thomas, he went to Des. Arc, with some cotton for Gans, which he deposited at the warehouse of “the Stewarts,” which was a general depository of cotton, but did not remember stating for whom the cotton was left. It was not weighed. He says that, other loads of cotton were carried to Des Arc, although he,, himself, accompanied only one. Bales weighed, ordinarily,. 450 to 500 lbs.

With regard to the alteration of the note, his memory,, he saj^s, is distinct; that when he saw it in 1867, the ink of the words, “when called on,” was fresher in appearance than now. It seemed brighter then, and the difference between those words and others in the instrument was greater.

Duncan Jackson testified that, in the year 1862, Gans told him he had to go to Des Arc to see about his “Thomas cotton,” and other business, and requested witness to see to his business until his return. He went, and, on his return, made no complaint about not getting the cotton ; made no mention of it at all. Never heard him speak of it again until about three weeks before the trial. He then said he had never received it — that it was burned, and that the whole thing was lost (using quite emphatic language) with the Confederacy. This witness testified, also, as to the difference in the writing in the instrument, and made the same explanation as that made by Gans, as to how it might probably have happened.

Washington Jackson testified that, in 1862, he hauled four or five loads of Thomas’ cotton to Des Arc, taking six bales at a load — with one of which Gist went. The cotton was delivered to the person in charge of Stewart’s warehouse, who seemed to understand for whom it was intended.

This, with the original note, which was submitted to the inspection of the jury, constitute, substantially, all the testimony.

When this case was formerly before this court, the insertion of the words “ when called on,” was treated as material, ■and such as 'would vitiate the note, or. contract, if unauthorized. It has been so treated by the court and counsel in the further progress of the case, and may be considered the law of the case, without further discussion.

It will be found most convenient to take up seriatim the grounds of the motion for a new trial. The first is the refusal of the first instruction asked by plaintiff. It does not appear that this instruction was supported by evidence, and as its refusal.is not urged by counsel as matter of complaint, it may be passed sub silentio. The court did, very fairly, instruct the jury, on plaintiff’s behalf, that the writing sued on was a valid contract, unless they should find that it had been altered by plaintiff, or some person for him, after its execution ; and that, in determining whether or not such alteration had been made, they might be governed by an inspection of the note, in connection with all of the evidence beai’ing on the question ; and, further, that if they found the words ‘ ‘ when called on ’ ’ were written before the execution of the instrument, it would be binding. On the question of payment, the jury, on plaintiff’s request, were instructed that, before finding for defendant, they must find that the cotton was delivered to the plaintiff,.or his agent at Des Arc; or that there had been an offer to make such delivery. By these two instructions, the plaintiff’s case was fairly presented..

The first instruction complained of, for defendant, as given by the court, is this: That if the jury, from the appearance of the note, or other evidence, find on it a suspicious alteration, they should find for the defendant, unless they should find, also, that the alteration was made with the knowledge and consent of the maker.

Confining this instruction to material alterations, as intended (and there was no question of auy other), it does not appear at all inconsistent with the principle laid down by this court, when the case was here before. Of course, it is left to the jury to determine, first, what is “ suspicious ” — and it is not every erasure or interlineation which will be. The jurors bring their common sense, and experience of daily affairs, and their knowledge of the ordinary habits of mankind, to bear upon all such considerations, and are generally shrewd enough to detect, at once, any circumstances of suspicion, as distinct from the ordinary clerical mistakes, and corrections, of unskilled draughtsmen. The Tule in this instruction is laid down', substantially, as it was in the case of Huntingdon et al. v. Finch, 3 Ohio St. Rep., 445, and approved by this court.

The court, for defendant, instructed the j ury that if they Relieved that Thomas delivered the cotton, or caused it to be •delivered, at Des Arc, according to the contract, they should find for the defendant. The criticism is upon the words ■“ according to the contract,” which, it is said, submits a matter of law to the jury. It does not seem so. The writing, if valid, was plain and the jury might determine very well, as a matter of fact, whether there had been a delivery of cotton. As to what in law would constitute a delivery, was a matter, which, if the plaintiff had supposed it doubtful, he might have asked the court to define.

The seventh instruction given for defendant — passing over the fifth, upon which no point was made, is as follows :

“ The jury are also instructed that if they find that there was no alteration of the note; then if they further find that Thomas carried the cotton to Des Arc; and Cans, at or afterwards went there to receive or see about it, saying ‘he was going to see about his Thomas cotton,’ these are facts to be considered by the jury, as evidence that the cotton was carried to Dos Arc at Cans’ request, and if they so believe, they will find for the defendant.”

Sale of Cotton: Delivery, what sufficient. Weighing apart,1 not necessary^

The evidence was that Thomas had had cotton hauled for Cans, to Stewart’s warehouse, in Des Arc, as much as four or five loads of bales, weighing from 450 to 500 lbs., and six bales to the load, which had been received there by the warehousemen, without question, as if they understood the matter. The cotton was more than enough to discharge the obligation; and if taken by Grans in discharge, even with an implied obligation to account for the excess, would have Gans as his property, without any weighing or other designation. It is -not true that cotton m ust be always weighed and the exact number of pounds set apart to make a transfer. It is generally done before property is received,, but it is not at all essential. Any agreement to receive on one side and abandon control on the other, of property, is sufficient to transfer title.

It must be confessed that the evidence of the delivery and transfer of the cotton to Gans, in this case, is very meagre and unsatisfactory, but it was competent evidence, nevertheless, so far as it went; and considering the lapse of time and the disturbed state of the country, and the better acquaintance of the jury with the circumstances of their particular locality, and the modes of business prevalent at the-time in the community, if it is satisfied, then we do not feel authorized to disturb the verdict. We cannot say there was-no evidence of a substantial nature to sustain the verdict on the ground of payment.

The jury came into court after retirement to ask an explanation of instructions. The court told them orally, “ that if they believed the cotton was taken by Thomas to Des Arc, and left there at the request of the plaintiff, it was a-, delivery within the terms of the contract.” It is always-understood in these off-hand instructions, that the belief must arise from the evidence, and if either party desires to-have this impressed on the jury, it may easily be done. The-oral instruction is not amenable to criticism.

There are less important objections to the verdict, not useful to notice.. We have no legal means of knowing-whether it was rendered upon the ground of payment, or the invalidity of the note, resulting from the alteration. There was evidence on both points, and we think the matter was fairly left to the jury. We cannot say that a verdict for the plaintiff would have been more satisfactory.

Affirm the judgment.