Roziene v. Wolf

43 Iowa 393 | Iowa | 1876

Seevers, Ch. J.

1 verdictturüS-aconfiict of evidence, I. It is mainly sought to reverse the judgment below because the verdict is clearly against the weight of the evidence. The principal point in controversy was whether the loan was to be for -f^ee or five years. The presumption arising from the execution of the notes and mortgages that defendant knew their contents, like all other presumptions, may be overcome by testimony. The burden was on the defendant to do this. The jury found specially that the defendant understood the notes and mortgages were to run for five years. The defendant is a German and does not understand the English language very well. The evidence was conflicting, and while we could well say as an original question we might have found differently, yet in view of the finding of the j ury and the refusal of the trial .court to grant a new trial, we cannot say there is such a want of testimony as to justify us in disturbing the judgment.

2 instkucuency:*promissory note, II. It is claimed that certain instructions given the jury were erroneous, because they are not applicable to the evidence. I11 otu’ yiew this objection is not well taken. We have examined the instructions with care, and without doubt or difficulty conclude they are not obnoxious to the objection made. The tenth instruction is objected to because it fails to call attention to the fact (as claimed) that defendant had possession of the notes several days before executing them. The instruction, however, does not ignore this fact, nor does it, as assumed by counsel, call special attention to the day the notes were executed and to the examination then made or diligence and care used by the defendant in ascertaining their contents. On the contrary, the instruction, fairly construed, required the defendant to be diligent to avoid imposition at all times, and does not confine the question of diligence to the day the notes were signed.

III. The plaintiff testifies that when the mortgages were executed they were left in the recorder’s office to be recorded, and in about a week thereafter he received them by mail enclosed in a letter purporting to be written by D. B. Senden, and thereupon offered to read such letter in evidence, to which defendant objected, because it was not shown who wrote the same, and that it was hearsay and immaterial. The objection being sustained, the same is assigned as error. It is urged that the letter was admissible as a part of the transaction, or res gestae. In this view we do not concur, but on the contrary believe that under no possible view was the letter admissible. A mere statement of the proposition clearly shows that it is not maintainable.

3. new tbial: attorney :°f ereti evffcov" denee. IV. It is urged that a new trial should be granted on the ground of newly discovered evidence. It might with propriety be said the newly discovered evidence is cumulative, but in addition to this it is shown th^ ^ie witness by whom the newly discovered facts can be proved is the notary before whom the mortgages were acknowledged, and that he heard a part at least of the conversation between the plaintiff and defendant. The affidavit of plaintiff’s attorney shows that, previous to the trial, he frequently inquired of plaintiff if any one was present at said conversation, and plaintiff replied that he did not remember that there was. No reason is given why the affidavit of the plaintiff is not furnished, which we think under the circumstances should have been done. For aught that appears the plaintiff may have known of the testimony, and we think due diligence required or should have prompted the thought that the notary might probably know something of the transaction. We are of opinion there is not sufficient diligence shown, and that the evidence is cumulative.

Affirmed.