Collins v. Collins

138 Iowa 470 | Iowa | 1908

Ladd, C. J.

The issue tried was whether the deceased entered into a contract with James H. Collins about April, 1905, by the terms of which the former agreed to make out a deed to a tract of land known as the “ Savanah Farm,” and place the same in escrow, to be delivered upon his death to James as grantee therein named in consideration of services the latter had rendered him in the past, and then agreed to render in the future. The suggestion that the alleged agreement was not well pleaded is disposed of by the excerpts from the cross-petition and answer in the statement of facts preceding this opinion, as is also the claim that the land referred to as the Savanah farm was not identified. It was specifically described .in paragraph 4 of the cross-petition, and the answer referred to “ the said lands set out in paragraph 4 of said Collins’ cross-petition and known as the ‘ Savanah Farm.’ ” Besides this, when identifying evidence Avas tendered, the court, without objection of either party, announced it to be “ conceded that the land claimed hy plaintiff is properly described by him in his cross-petition, and is called the ‘ Savanah Farm.’ ”

No deed was made, and the cross-petitioner relied on parol evidence, not only to establish the contract, but part performance as well. To obviate the statute of frauds, such proof must he clear, unequivocal and definite, and the acts claimed to constitute part or entire performance on the part of James referable exclusively to the agreement. Williamson v. Williamson, 4 Iowa, 282. Testimony of what deceased said he was going to do in the future is of little aid, save as indicating an unexecuted purpose. Of this character was his declaration to Cooksie that “ he was going to give him [James] this Savanah farm for what he had done for him,” and that to Maggie Herold, his sister-in-law, when she suggested that James build across the road, that “ he did not want him to build there,- because he was going to give him the Savanah farm.” The testimony of his declarations that he had not done so is of no greater importance. This was by Dooley, who assisted in caring for him during his last sickness and heard James ask: “ Hncle, have you made that and left it with Carruthers ? ” to which deceased replied: “ No; I have not, Jimmie. I will attend to that as soon as I am able, but I am not able now. I am so nervous I cannot write my own name.” And, immediately before he bade those, about farewell, James’ mother heard him say: “ Jimmie, I did not do for you what I expected to do, or what I intended.” It will be noted that in none of these statements was there any allusion to an agreement or promise on his part. But there was some evidence of a more definite character. The wife of James testified that deceased, after inquiring of James if he had kept account, said to him: “ ‘ I have made up my mind to give you the Savanah farm for what you have done for me, if you will accept it; ’ and my husband said, ‘ That will be satisfactory with me, uncle.’ Uncle Caleb said that he wanted the use of that place, meaning the Savanah farm, but wanted the use of that place as long as he lived, and he said, ‘ If I get sick and send for you, I want you to come and take care of me ’; and Jimmie said, ‘ All right, uncle, I will do it.’ Caleb said, ‘ I will make a deed for you and leave it with Sam Carruthers ’; and Jimmie said, ‘ That will be satisfactory with me, uncle.’ ” Maggie Herold testified to the same conversation, and Oarruthers related an interview with deceased several months prior to his death, in which the latter asked whether he could make and acknowledge deeds and retain them in his own possession to take effect at his death. Being told that such deeds would be of no account unless delivered to the grantee or deposited in escrow to be delivered upon his death, deceased replied that he would come in later and have his will drawn. This was all the evidence bearing on the issues, save that proving that James had rendered services for the deceased at frequent intervals on his farm and by doing errands for him, such as paying his taxes and attending to business matters, and that he had .assisted in caring for him during the last ten or twelve days of his life. The deceased had lived for many years on a farm about a mile west of Stiles. The home of James H. Collins was on his brother’s farm about two miles southeast of Bloomfield, where he had lived about a year. Prior to that' he had resided for sixteen months at Valley Junction, to which place he had moved from Bloomfield, where he had been engaged in business for three years previous. Prior to that he had resided on his mother’s farm near Stiles since 1886. It is apparent that for five years or more James had not been easily accessible to deceased, and, before that, most of the things he had done for his uncle were of a kind for which he might without impropriety have exacted compensation even from a near relative. Probably they were mutually friendly, but the record is peculiarly wanting in evidence of those personal services, save a few errands, usually proven in such cases. Certain it is that the alleged consideration, aside from love and affection, was grossly inadequate. Even if the promise were made “in payment of all James had done,” the latter did not change his situation as to the past transactions in any way. Nothing was done under the agreement referable exclusively thereto, save, as is contended, the assistance in the care of deceased during his last sickness. According to both witnesses, his request that the nephew come and care for him when sick was added after his statement that he would convey the farm for what had been done. It is hardly eonceivable that either supposed that James was being employed to care for his unde at a price. Indeed, every expression of deceased, save in the hearing of these two women, indicated that his thought was to give to James, not to execute an obligation in his favor, and, as he did not do so, equity cannot relieve. The record has failed to convince us that, if deceased promised to convey the land, this promise was rescued from the operation of the statute of frauds by part performance. — Affirmed.