Balwerk v. Durger , 63 Iowa 358 ( 1884 )

Seevers, J.

The plaintiff is the father of William Balwerk, Jr. At one time they were both residents of New York. The son came to Iowa about the year 1878, and purchased the land in controversy. He paid, as we understand, $35 in cash, and gave his notes, secured by a mortgage executed by him on the land, to secure the unpaid purchase-money. The land was conveyed to William Balwerk, and up to that time neither the plaintiff nor his son, when signing his name or at any other time, used any words to distinguish the one from the other. They both testify that the land belongs to the plaintiff, and that he paid the purchase-money, including the $85. That is, they testify that the plaintiff sent the $35 to his son, and that it was the money of the plaintiff. About one year after the purchase, the plaintiff left New York and came to this state and entered into possession of the land. But the son, who is unmanned, also, as we infer from the evidence, was in possession of the real estate, and, as we believe, he has sold at least some of the crops grown thereon. But in explanation of this fact it should be stated that the Balwerks are Germans, and that the plaintiff, as he testifies, does not understand the English language sufficiently to enable him to transact business. Several witnesses introduced by the defendants testify to declarations made by William Balwerk, Jr., which are inconsistent with the theory that the plaintiff is the owner of the land in controversy. None of these declarations were made in the presence of the plaintiff, and they are denied by William Balwerk, Jr. But the preponderance of the evidence in this respect is against him. The plaintiff is in no respect impeached, and, if he paid for the land and it is his property, it should not be sold for his son’s debt.

The only issue in this case is whether the plaintiff or his son owns the land in controversy. Fraud is neither alleged nor established. Nor is it alleged or established that credit was extended to Balwerk, Jr., on the faith or belief that he owned the property.

We cannot disregard the evidence of the plaintiff, and, as he is not impeached or contradicted, and the story told by him is not improbable, fail to give credit thereto.

The material circumstances against the plaintiff’s theory is the existence of the note and mortgage to secure the purchase- . money by Balwerk, Jr., without explanation why he did so. But this fact does not have the significance which it would, if it appeared that he was a man who understood the proper way of doing business. Again, he of course had confidence in his father, and, if executed by the latter, the note and mortgage would have to have been sent to him in New York. This would have caused delay; and we can readily conceive why, under the circumstances, the note and mortgage were executed by Balwerk, Jr. Besides this, at most, it was but a representation made in the absence of the plaintiff, and which, therefore, was not binding on him. For the reasons stated, we believe the judgment of the circuit court to be correct.

Affirmed.