Wilkinson v. Getty

13 Iowa 157 | Iowa | 1862

Wright, J.

This decree must be affirmed. The wife never signed the deed. Nor, (granting that this could avail complainant,) is there any sufficient evidence that she ever intended to, either by her attorney in fact or otherwise. It is not different from the ordinary case, where the husband makes a deed in which the wife does not join. Her dower, in such a case, is not barred by even a superabundance of proof that the. grantee believed and expected that she was signing it; that she was willing to sign it at the time, and would, have done so, if required; nor by evidence that a full consideration was paid, and possession taken under the deed. In this instance, it is simply a case of the non-execution of a power, and this cannot be aided by proof of an ■intention to execute it.

'■ It is not a case of mistake, relievable in equity. Bespon-dent was a feme-covert, and her dower could only be barred by her voluntary act or conveyance in the manner provided by statute. And when required to be in writing, the failure cannot be aided by parol evidence that all that the statute required was in fact done. (O'Ferrall v. Simplot, 4 Iowa, 381, and cases there cited. And see Pierson v. Armstrong, 1 Id., 282.) And much stronger is the reason of the rule, when she never signed nor acknowledged the deed.

Counsel say that equity will especially grant relief and correct a mistake, when the deed is executed in the name of the attorney, instead of the principal. We know of no such rule, in the form stated. Nor, if correct, could it avail complainant. The author, ini Am.Lead. Cas., 585, (referred to by counsel in support of this doctrine,) is treating of cases where equity will aid the defective execution of a power, and refers to instances where deeds are by mistake signed,' sealed and delivered in the name of the attorney, instead of the principal. And the rule is broadly stated, that am agreement by an attorney for a principal, inoperative at law for want of a formal execution, in the name of the principal, is binding in equity, if the attorney had authority. But not so, if the agreement was never executed, formally or otherwise, in the name of the principal, nor any person for him. And this is the case before us.

But it is insisted that Collins made to the vendee a bond, executed in the name of the husband and wife, and that équity will enforce this agreement. Of the execution and true character of this bond, there is no sufficient evidence. To obtain relief upon this ground, complainant’s proof of the contract should be clear, definite, and unequivocal. The alleged bond is not produced, and the evidence of its terms and contents falls far short of what legal rules require.

Affirmed.