Hinkle v. Hinkle

| Ark. | Mar 19, 1892

Hemingway, J.

This suit is founded on an alleged parol contract between the plaintiff on the one side, and Malinda Hinkle, his mother, and John Hinkle, his brother, on the other side, which it is claimed was made by John for himself and Malinda, and subsequently ratified by her.

By the contract as set out the latter parties promised the former party that, for a consideration named, the plaintiff should acquire the right to occupy and use a certain brick house in Van Burén and the lots upon which it is situate for the remainder of the life of the said Malinda; also the present enjoyment of his undivided interest in certain lands in which Malinda held a life estate, and also an interest in a partnership business owned and conducted by the said John and Malinda. The alleged consideration for this agreement was, that the plaintiff, who resides and did business in Louisville, Ky., should change his residence to Van Burén, Ark., where the other parties resided, assist in the conduct and management of the business of said firm and in caring for the said Malinda.

The contract is positively asserted upon one side and as positively denied upon the other. The plaintiff does not contend that he was to acquire any interest of his brother John by the terms of the contract, except in the present use of the brick house ; but he was only to acquire such present interest in the property as he would be entitled to if his mother were dead. The property acquired by him under the contract, as he states it, came therefore from the mother, and to sustain a recovery on account of it he must show not only that John made such a contract with him, but also that she ratified it.

Assuming without deciding that John so agreed, we have looked to see if the evidence disclosed a ratification by her; and we find that as to everything except the contract for the brick house, the evidence tending to show ratification is the same. We will therefore consider the case as to all the other property together, and first.

There is no proof that John ever wrote his mother the terms of contract before he and Martin left Louisville,' and he says that he wrote her nothing about one. The only letter received from her by John, as to which there is any evidence, made no mention of the contract, according to Martin’s own testimony. If she ratified it, it must have been after they arrived at Van Burén. Turning to the evidence, we find nothing to show that she ever knew of the contract. All the evidence bearing on it fs in the testimony of Martin, who says that he had an understanding with her that he and John were to manage the business together. “ She told him there was plenty for all; for him to go ahead, and that he should have his equal share.” Just what this statement would mean is uncertain, but we cannot find by the proof that it was made. Mrs Hinkle denies- it, and her witnesses, who were present as Martin says, say they never heard such a promise. The burden is upon him to prove ratification, and the proof is against him.

1. Practice inequity as to trial by jury. But it is said there is some evidence that the contract was ratified, and that the verdict of the jury that it was is conclusive upon us. In chancery cases there is no right to the trial of any issue by a jury. A jury is called in by the court of its own motion and the verdict rendered is but advisory to, not binding, on the court. Thompson on Trials, sec. 2356, and cases cited.

As the verdict and judgment upon this branch of the case is not supported by the evidence, we cannot sustain it.

2. Part performance takes-case out of statute of frauds, gu, As to the brick house and lots, we find that John promised Martin while in Louisville that he should have it for a home as soon as he arrived at Van Burén. It was then occupied, and John directed the tenant to move out and had the house made ready for Martin. On his arrival he stayed fora few days with Mrs. Hinkle and John and then moved to this house. He occupied it from that time until the institution of this suit, and no rent was ever spoken of, collected or charged. Mrs. Hinkle was in the same town, and, although very old and feeble, knew that Martin lived there. A son of his, whose testimony seems to be very fair and free from bias, testified that, very soon after Martin’s arrival, she told him “he might have it” as “his own.” We think this statement entirely consistent with the general purpose of the parties, as admitted on both sides, and with their conduct in reference to the house; and we find that such promise was made by John and ratified by -Mrs. Hinkle. We are therefore of opinion that Martin is entitled by the terms of the contract to hold the hous.e and lots without charge during the life of his mother.

But the defendant pleads the statute of frauds, and the question is, if the statute applies, whether there has been such performance as to take the case out of its operation. Martin did everything he agreed to do. He gave up his •employment, changed his residence, assisted in caring for his mother and in managing and conducting the business, moved upon the land and expended money in improving it. If the statute could defeat his claim, it would become a •means of fraud, not of its prevention. He did more than pay for, move on and improve the land; he surrendered his employment, and changed his home and avocation, and no return of the money expended would compensate him for annulling the contract.

The judgment in so far as it awarded any relief, except as to the brick house, was erroneous. It will be reversed and remanded with directions to enter a judgment vesting in plaintiff, without charge the title to the lots on which the brick house is situate for and during the life of Malinda Hinkle, and denying any further relief.