13 Ind. 63 | Ind. | 1859
Kistler sued the appellants, who were the defendants, for work and- labor done by him for them, at their request. Defendants answered, by a general denial. Verdict for the plaintiff. New trial refused, and judgment, &c.
During the trial, one Coffin, a witness, testified that he had, on his own account, and not for the defendants, paid the plaintiff several hundred dollars—he thought about 400 dollars; that in August, 1855, about 100 dollars was due; and that the work was all done for him, and not for the defendants. The testimony of the plaintiff, however, was, that all the work, after August, 1855, was done for the defendants. This was all the evidence relative to payment.
After the close of the evidence, the defendants moved to instruct as follows: “The defendants are entitled to all cash payments made. The simple question is—How much is due?” This instruction was refused, and its refusal raises the only question presented in the argument of counsel.
As we have seen, the only issue in the cause, rests upon the general denial; and the correctness of the instruction, depends upon the solution of this inquiry—Was the evidence of payment applicable to the issue?
The code says: “ All defenses, except the mere denial of the facts alleged by the plaintiff, shall be pleaded specially.” 2 R. S. p. 42, § 66.
This evidently means, facts which the plaintiff, to sustain his action, is bound to prove; and we have decided
The instruction, had it been given, would have directed the jury, that evidence of payments—matter which should have been set up affirmatively in bar of the action—was applicable to the issue in the cause. Hence, by refusing it, the Court committed no error.
The judgment is affirmed with 5 per cent, damages and costs.