Fred Rueping Leather Co. v. Watke

135 Wis. 616 | Wis. | 1908

"KebwiN, J.

The contention on the part of the appellant is that there was sufficient evidence to go to the jury on the issues raised, therefore the court erred in directing a verdict for plaintiff. It appears from the established facts that several months before the execution of the notes certain hides were stolen from plaintiff and that some were sold by the thief to the business partner of defendant and paid for by •defendant; that thereafter the thief was prosecuted and convicted of the offense, and plaintiff demanded payment of defendant for the property received by his firm; that negotiations were had with reference to a settlement, covering a long period of time, which finally resulted in the execution by defendant and delivery to plaintiff of the ten notes in question of $100 each, and that some time after the first note became due and before the commencement of this action it was paid by defendant. The principal contention of defendant is that the notes were executed under duress. After a careful examination of the testimony we find nothing in it sufficient to support a verdict in favor of defendant upon that proposition. On the contrary, the evidence establishes beyond question that the defendant executed the notes freely and voluntarily, after he had taken ample time to consider the matter and advise with his counsel, and concluded to give the notes in settlement of the amount which was finally agreed upon as the consideration for the hides which came into the possession of lais business partner. It appears that the amount of the stolen property which came-into the possession of defendant’s firm could not be definitely ascertained, plaintiff claiming $2,500 as its value and finally agreeing to accept $1,000, in payment of which sum the ten notes were given. At the time the notes were executed and delivered no restraint whatever was exercised over the defendant, but on the contrary, after consulting with his counsel and being advised to make the notes, he went to1 the office of plaintiff’s counsel and freely and voluntarily executed the notes in suit. The doctrine as to what constitutes duress has been so often considered and discussed by this court that we deem it necessary only to- refer to a few of the authorities on the subject. City Nat. Bank v. Kusworm, 91 Wis. 166, 64 N. W. 843; Batavian Bank v. North, 114 Wis. 637, 90 N. W. 1016; Rochester M. T. Works v. Weiss, 108 Wis. 545, 84 N. W. 866; Wolff v. Bluhm, 95 Wis. 257, 70 N. W. 73; Mack v. Prang, 104 Wis. 1, 79 N. W. 770; Galusha v. Sherman, 105 Wis. 263, 81 R. W. 495. This court said in City Nat. Banlc v. Kusworm, supra: “Duress exists where one, by the unlawful act of another, is induced to make a contract or perform some act under circumstances which deprive him of the exercise of free will.” We think the undisputed evidence not only fails to show duress, but establishes that there was no duress.

On the question of -want of consideration we think it equally clear that this defense was not established, but on the contrary that it was established without substantial dispute that the notes were given in payment of the stolen hides received by the defendant’s firm. In fact it was not disputed but that the settlement was made and the notes given to- pay for such property.

Respecting the claim in appellant’s brief that the notes were given to avoid prosecution, hence illegal and void, we think it sufficient to say that neither the allegations of the answer nor the proof supports such defense. There is in fact no testimony rising to the dignity of proof of an agreement not to prosecute defendant for any offense. There is neither allegation nor proof that, at the time the notes were given, any criminal prosecution was pending against the defendant or that he was in fact guilty of any criminal offense. Such allegation and proof would he necessary in order to support this defense1. Catlin v. Henton, 9 Wis. 47 6; Schultz v. Catlin, 78 Wis. 611, 47 N. W. 946; City Nat. Bank v. Kusworn, 88 Wis. 188, 59 N. W. 564; Johnston H. Co. v. McLean, 57 Wis. 258, 15 N. W. 177; sec. 4501, Stats. (1898). The court below found-fhat there was not sufficient evidence to go to the jury upon any of the issues raised by the defendant’s answer, and we are inclined to the opinion that the court was right, therefore cannot disturb the ruling. It follows that the judgment below must be affirmed.

By the Court. — The judgment of the court below is affirmed.