Goddard MacHinery Co. v. Industrial Equipment Repairs, Inc.

351 S.W.2d 371 | Tex. App. | 1961

351 S.W.2d 371 (1961)

GODDARD MACHINERY COMPANY, Inc., Appellant,
v.
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT REPAIRS, INC., Appellee.

No. 3944.

Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, Waco.

October 26, 1961.

Carl R. Griffith, Beaumont, for appellant.

O. B. McWhorter, Port Arthur, for appellee.

WILSON, Justice.

Plaintiff sued on a verified account. Defendant's unverified answer pleaded payment *372 and accord and satisfaction. The court concluded that in the absence of verified denial under Rule 185, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, defendant was "not entitled to offer any defense as pleaded", withdrew the case from the jury and rendered judgment on the pleadings for plaintiff.

This was error. Even in the absence of a sworn denial, under the Rule, defendant's pleaded defenses in the nature of confession and avoidance were available. Yelton v. Bird Lime & Cement Co., Tex.Civ.App., 161 S.W.2d 353, syl. 6, writ ref. w. m.; J. M. Radford Gro. Co. v. Porter, Tex.Civ. App., 17 S.W.2d 145, 147, writ dis.; Glasco v. Frazer, Tex.Civ.App., 225 S.W.2d 633, 635, writ dis.; McConnon & Co. v. Klenk, Tex.Civ.App., 11 S.W.2d 222, 223; American Druggists Synd. v. Holt Drug Co., Tex.Civ.App., 272 S.W. 508, 509; Queen City Motor Co. v. Texas Auto Supply Co., Tex.Civ.App., 241 S.W. 212, 214 and cases therein cited. Reversed and remanded.

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