Wernli v. Collins , 87 Iowa 548 ( 1893 )

Kinne,' J.

— The plaintiff, on June 17,1890, entered ■ into a written contract with the defendant for the erection on her farm of a windmill pump, tower, well, and the necessary conducting pipes. The defendant was to pay therefor two hundred and sixty-five dollars, by •executing to the plaintiff, in sixty days after the mill was erected and in good working order, her promissory note, due in the fall of 1890, or spring of 1891. The plaintiff claims judgment for said sum, and for a mechanic’s lien, and makes the necessary averments therefor.

The material question raised by the answer is based on the following provision of the contract: “Wm. J. Wernli agrees to dig and fill anchor post holes and ditch for conducting pipe, and to furnish a good supply of water for stock.” The answer, after making certain other allegations, not necessary to be stated, •avers that the plaintiff did not perform his contract within a reasonable time, and failed to furnish a good supply of water for stock; and that, by reason thereof, the defendant, on September 16, 1890, rescinded the contract, and ordered the plaintiff to remove said mill and other articles from her land, since which time she has not used said mill. She also denies any indebtedness to the plaintiff.

scission: evidence. I. The evidence abundantly shows that the plaintiff failed to comply with his contract in digging a well that would furnish a good supply of water for the defendants stock. It also shows that the plaintiff knew, before the contract was made, the number of head of stock to be supplied with water; that in a few days after the well was dug and mill erected, the water supply practically failed, and though the plaintiff had notice thereof, and ample opportunity to remedy the defect, he took no steps to make his contract good by furnishing a supply of waterier the defendant’s stock; that after September 16, 1890, when the defendant rescinded the contract, .and notified the plaintiff to remove the mill and appliances, she never used the same.

Now, it is clear that, if this was such a contract as might be rescinded, then the defendant was justified in so treating it and in fact did rescind it. The mill and well failed in the most essential particular to comply with the contract — to furnish a good supply of water. As made by the plaintiff, it was useless, and of no value to the defendant. Nor is the fact that the season was dry an excuse for the plaintiff’s failing to comply with his contract. In terms, the obligation of the contract on the plaintiff to supply water was absolute. We can not alter the terms of the contract by assuming that the plaintiff was to be absolved from complying with that part of his contract in case the season wras unusually dry. To do so would be to make a new contract to that extent for the parties. The contract is certain and plain. Under its terms, the plaintiff was to furnish a good supply of water for stock. He has failed to do so. If he obligated himself to do something that might be difficult of performance, he did so at his peril, and can not now complain.

2. : : — : quantum on merm ' II. The plaintiff contends that the improvements became, as soon as erected, a part of the realty, and hence he can not remove them; that the defendant must accept them-, and, if the contract has not been, fully complied with, her remedy is to set up and prove her damages; that she can not rescind the contract. To support this claim, several Iowa cases are cited, but in - all of them the improvements were of a permanent character, as houses, barns, and the like, wherein the owner of the land obtained or enjoyed some benefit from the improvement, although the terms of the contract had not been complied with. We do not think these cases are applicable to the case at bar.. This case is not like those cited, in this: The improvement is of no value whatever to the defendant; it can.be removed without any particular injury to the land. Even if the cases cited were applicable, the plaintiff could not recover. He sues on an express contract, and thereunder he can not recover upon the quantum meruit. If he intended to recover under a quantum meruit, he should have so plead-edin a separatecount of hispetition. There is no claim in this petition to recoverjanything except on the special contract. Pixler v. Nichols, 8 Iowa, 106; Eyser v. Weissgerber, 2 Iowa, 463; Corwin v. Wallace, 17 Iowa, 374; Flynn v. Des Moines & St. L. Railway Co., 63 Iowa, 499. Plaintiff does not plead or prove any waiver of performance by the defendant. It will be observed that in all the cases relied upon by the defendant, so far as the record shows, where a special contract existed, and recovery was had for the actual work, labor, and service rendered, the contract not having been fully complied with, recovery was claimed under a quantum meruit count, not, as in this case, under a single count, based upon the contract alone. We think in this case the defendant was fully justified in rescinding the contract. It was an entirety. The plaintiff failed to comply with it.

As the views expressed dispose of the case, other questions argued need not be considered. Affirmed.