24 S.D. 460 | S.D. | 1910
This suit was commenced in the circuit court by the plaintiff, Stephenson, as administrator of the estate of
It is first contended by appellants that the court erred in admitting in evidence, over defendants’ objections, the files and judgment roll in the action of Coleman Lumber Co. v. Ed. J. B.orstad. In this contention we are of the opinion that appellants are in error. One who undertakes the examination of titles, for compensation, is liable for want of ordinary care and skill in the performance of that task. To furnish abstracts of title is a business — a sort of a profession. The party undertaking it assumes the responsibility of discharging his duty in a skillful and careful .manner. That is just what he is paid for doing. Patience in the investigation of records is the main capacity required. There are no professional opinions required of the abstractor. It is his duty to furnish facts from the records, without concern for their legal effect. Upon the facts furnished the purchaser must make his own examination and determine for himself on their sufficiency. The abstractor collects the evidence from the records, and notes the same on the abstract, and if he makes a mistake or oversight or omission, resulting in -damage, he must respond to the injured party. Dickle v. Abstract Co., 89 Tenn. 433, 14 S. W. 896; Young v. Lohr, 118 Iowa, 624, 92 N. W. 684; Abstract Co. v. Longacre, 56 Neb. 469, 76 N. W. 1073; Western Loan Co. v. Silver Bow Abstract Co., 31 Mont. 448, 78 Pac. 774; Pinney v. Russel Co., 52 Minn. 443, 54 N. W. 484; 1 Am. & Eng. Ency. of Pl. & Pr. 204; 1 Cyc. 214.
In Pinney v. Russel Co., supra, the Supreme Court of
It has been the universal custom and practice in this state to sue and maintain actions against defendants by the initial letters of their Christian names, and to' so enter and docket the judgment, and which custom and practice the ■ defendant Cone was bound to know as a part of his business as abstractor. To now hold that all judgments are invalid as notice, excepting only where the full Christian name of defendant is indexed or dock
Appellants also contend that the evidence is insufficient to-justify the findings and conclusions of the trial court; but, as we view the evidence, it is amply sufficient. From a careful examination of each error assigned we are satisfied that all are without merit.
Finding no error in the record, the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.