TRUAX V'. ESTES.
529
TRUAX.
T.
ESTES. March 15, 1899.)
(CIrcuIt Court, D. Oregon. No. 2,395.
L
DAMAGES-BREACH OF CONTRACT-RuLE IN EQUITY.
A court of equity, in a suit brought to reform a contract tor the purchase of cattle, which were not to be delivered for several months after the date of the contract, and to recover damages for its breach, will not enforce the strict rule of law, which permits a party to disregard notice that a contract will not be performed, and to wait until the time for performance, and recover damages as of that date, where the plaintiff was notified within a week from the making of the contract, and before he had suffered any damage, by defendant, that it would be impossible to furnish the cattle at the prices named, of which fact the plaintiff was aware when the contract was made, but the defendant was not.
CON'l'RACT-ENFOHCEMENT IN EQUITy-FRAUD J::-l PHOCUHEMENT.
Defendant signed and delivered to plaintiff's assignor a memorandum prepared by the latter, by which defendant proposed to furnish cattle,-the number, price, and date of delivery being stated therein; the option to be accepted within 30 days. Defendant testified that the agreement was that the writing was to be merely a memorandum, to serve as a basis for a future contract; that he was to have 30 days to ascertain whether be could furnish the cattle, and the other party, who was a freight agent for a railroad, and interested only in procuring the shipment of the cattle over his road, to ascertain whether he could dispose of them; that defendant, owing to his defective sight, could read the writing but im perfectly, hut, seeing that it provided for 30 days, thought it in accordance with the agreement, and signed it. The other party had in fact preViously made an arrangement to dispose of the cattle to plaintiff, and telegraphed his acceptance the following day, following this by a letter stating that he would be there within 30 days "to make the contract. as per our understanding." Defendant replied that he had been through the country, and found the stock could not be bought at the price named. It further appeared that both parties knew at the time the memorandum was signed that it was doubtful whether the cattle could be so bought. Held, that the evidence sustained defendant's contention, and that in a suit in equity brought by plaintiff to reform the writing as to the number , of cattle therein sold, and to recover damages for breach of contract, the writing would not be enforced against the defendant as a completed contract according to its terms.
This was a suit in equity by Daniel W. Truax against Hardin W, Estes to reform a written contract, and to recover damages for its breach. A. L. Veazie and Zera Snow, for plaintiff. John L. Rand and L. R. Webster, for defendant. BELLINGER, District Judge, This is a suit to reform a written contract for the sale of cattle, and fo,r damages for a violation of the contract. The contract consists of a written offer to one Langley by Estes, and acceptance by the former, who afterwards assigned the contract to the plaintiff. The writing is as follows: "Baker City, Oct. 23, 1896. "1, H. W. Estes, agree to furnish B. H. Langley or order five hundred yearllngs and five two year old steers, delivered in Baker City stock yards June 1st, 1897, at $10.00 and $15.00, respectively. All to be A-1 stock. No Jerseys 01' Holsteins or lame or diseased auimaIs.Cash on delivery. This agreement to be accepted in thirty. daY80 H. W. Estes." 92F,-B4
530
92 FEDERAL REPORTER.
It appears that it was the intention of this option to provide for the delivery of 500 two year old steerS, instead of 5, as written. The plaintiff claims that he has been damaged, by defendant's failure to deliver the steers contracted for according to this writing, in the sum of $7,000. The defendant admits signing the memorandum refelTed to, but alleges that this a mere memorandum, to serve as .a basis for a contract, if defendant should find that the cattle named eould be purchased, and if Langley should succeed in negotiating a sale of them to some third person; "that it was never intended, either by Langley or by the defendant, that said writing should be obligatory upon either of them, and, on the contrary, it was agreed and understood that said writing should not be of any force or effect whatever until and unless within thirty days thereafter it was voluntarily ,accepted by both parties, and that in no event and under no circumstances was "aid writing itself to be or become a contract for the 'Sale of said cattle, or to be or become operative between them for that purpose." The facts attending this memorandum of agreement .are as follows: Langley is a railroad man,-a freight solicitor for the Great NorthRailway. According to his testimony, his purpose in what was done was to secure freight shipments over the road which he repreflented. Prior to this contract he had had some business, or business correspondence, with Estes. He met Estes at the Hotel Washauer, in Baker City. There was present with the latter a man named Wickersham, who lived with Estes, and who carries on the business of a butcher. Langley testifies that he had some conversation with Estes and Wickersham at the hotel: "Q. 'Vhat was the result of that? Was any agreement reached there? A. No, sir. Q. What did you say and do then with reference to leaving or breaking off from all conference with them? A. Mr. Wickersham had some copversation and talk in regard to it, and I remarked that I would have nothing to do with him in any way whatever, and got up and left. Q. Yon got up and left·! A. Yes, sir. Q. What did you do then'! A. I went to the station. Mr. Estes went with me. Q. At Whose instance or solicitation did Mr. Estes go with you to the station? A. Well, I don't know whether I suggested that he ride down to the station with me, or not."
Upon arriving at the depot the agreement was signed by Estes. Wickersham testifies that in the conversation at the hotel between Langley, Estes, and himself, he told Langley, in Estes' presence and hearing, that the cattle could not be bought for the prices Langley proposed to pay (being the prices named in the agreement signed by Estes at the depot); that thereupon Langley got up and said, "I will not have anything more to do with you. I will do my business, or talking, with Mr. Estes;" that Estes started to go home with witness, when LangleY called him back, whereupon Langley and Estes got into the hotel bus together. Estes testifies that he met Langley on the train as he was returning from Lagrande to Baker City; that Langley requested Estes to meet him at the hotel in Baker City; that upon his return h.ome he went to the hotel, taking Wickersham, whom he had requested to go with him. There had been some negotiations, but without reaching an agreement, between the parties, prior to this time, with reference to the purchase of calves. Estes, testifying as to
TRUAX V. ESTES.
531
the transaction which led up to the signing of the option in question, says that Langley wanted 500 head of yearlings and 500 head of two year aIds by the 1st of June, 1897. Estes answered: "And I told him I didn't want that kind of a contract. I told him that we had hard winters, and them two classes of cattle was hard to buy on the range, and I didn't care about that kind of a contract."
He further says that, as the bus drove up to the hotel for the train (it being train time), he and :l\lr. Wickersham carne out of the hotel, and started towards home; that Langley asked him if he would not get in the bUS, and go with him down to the depot, which the witness did; that after arriving at the depot they walked down to the platform, and Langley proposed that he would give Estes 30 days to look over the range, to see whether these cattle could be bought at the, prices named, stating that he wanted 30 days to look around and see, whether they could be sold, providing it was all right with Estes; that while he (Estes) was waiting for the train, and was standing b,Y the door of the telegraph office at the depot, Langley came up to him, and laid a couple of papers on the table, and asked him whether he would sign them or not. Estes says: "I picked them up, and 1 looked at them, but I didn't have my glasses along with me, and I could not see it very well; but 1 could see enough, by hollling the papers up to the light, that there was thirty days down on the paper, and five hundred head ot cattle,-I could see that,-and I thought the days was all right; and then 1 signed one of the papers, but I ain't positive whether 1 signed both of them. 1 might have signed both of them, but 1 don't recollect of signing but one. Q. 'VeIl, was there anything said about the entering into a contract at any time,-about when it should be done'! A. Well, if it was agreeable, and I could deliver the cattle, Why, then, we would close the contract. He said he would come down at the end of thirty days, and we would'fix it up."
Estes, according to his testimony, understood that the arrangement left it open to both parties to determine at the end of the 30, days whether a contract for these cattle would be entered into between them; that he (Estel'!) was to have this 30 days in which to make inquiries, and ascertain if the cattle could be bought, and that Langley was to have the same time to ascertain if he could dispose of the cattle as he was desirous of doing. Langley, in rebuttal, testifies that after the paper, which was executed in duplicate, was given to Estes, he put it in his pocket; that Langley put his copy in his own pocket, and they went out on the platform, and were talking over different things; that at last Estes said to the witness, "1 will give you $50, if you will let me off on this option ;" that he (Langley) answered, "What kind of a man do you think I am? 1 won't let you oft' for $500. 1 am securing these cattle for other parties." 'l'his is the substance of all the testimony touching the signing of' the option referred to, and the circumstances leading up to it. The option, as already appears, was signed on the 23d day of October, and by its terms Langley was to have 30 days in which to signify his acceptance. On the 24th of October, Langley telegraphed Estes, at Baker City, as follows: "'Vill accept offer for the five hundred yearling steers and five hundred two year old steers, delivered June first next at prices agreed upon. Will be,· there soon as possible to execute contract within thirty days sure:'
.532',
Two days later, and on October 26th, Langley wrote the following letter to Estes: ' "Confirming my message of 24th regarding the purchase of the five hundred head of yearling steers and five hundred 'head of two year old steers, delivered at the Baker City stock yards on the first of June, 1897, at ten dollars ($10.00) per head for the yearlings and fifteen dollars ($15.00) per head fot· the two year olds, as per agreement. I will be there to make the contract as soon 'as possible, at least within thirty days, as per our understanding, you can go right along and secure the stock. Hoping to see you soon, I am, "Yours truly, B. H. Langley."
To this letter, Estes, under date of October 29, 1896, answered as follows: "Your favor of the 26th received. In reg-ard to the purchasing of those five hundred head of yearlings and five hundred twos, will that it will be impossible for us to get them. We have already looked over three couuties, and find that that class of stuff is' scarce, and hard to buy. I am now going further west and south1 . to see what 1 can do in that country. 'Will let you know soon whether we 'can do ally business or not."
And again, on the 7th of November following, Estes forwarded to Langley the following letter: "Yours of Oct. 26 at hand, and in reply will say that I do not believe the dass of stock that you desire can be seeured in this country. I have seen Ii number of the prominent stockmen of this and }lalheur counties, and they are not disposed to sell that class of cattle. Inclosed you will find a letter from the man that I sent to Graut Co., ,vhich indicates that the same condition prevails over there. Taking ,ever;l'thing into consideration, I would not care to take a contract to furnish you with 1,000 head of that class of cattle."
This correspondence was followed by a visit by Langley and Truax, to whom Langley had on November 2, 18D6, assigned the option in question. Langley says that on the occasion of this visit he introduced Truax to Estes as the gentleman to whom he had assigned agreement for the purchase of the cattle; that Mr. Estes remarked that he could not furnish ,the cattle. Langley then said to Estes, "1'his is a vc;ry curious thing," and inquired of Truax if he had the contract. The latter said he had, and took it out of his pocket. Langley held the agreement up to Mr. Estes, and said: "Do you recognize this paper?" The latter said: "Yes, sir. That is your signature '! Yes, sir. MI'. Estes, when you signed that paper, did you sign it in good faith? Yes, sir, When you signed that, didn't ,vou intend to furnish the cattle? Yes, sir; but l can't do it." Truax gives substantially the same version of what took place on this occasion. Estes says that he was excited, and hardly reeollects what he did f;lay; that he did say he thought the signature on the writing was his; and that he did not state that he considered himself bound by the writing, or that he intended to deliver the cattle on its account. Laugley further testifies that while at Baker City he cQnsulted an attorney, and, as a of the advice he received, he (Langley) went to the bank, and got $500, to be u:aed. as a payment to Estes upon the option in question; t4at he did this simply because the attorney consulted told him it was necessary; that he did not tell the attorney that his understauding .was that he was tq pay )lr. Estes t4is, amount, but that .he did ..tell him that, in the previous conversation in regard to this matter, he (Langley) had suggested to Estes·that, if a formal
533 Langley's
contract was made, he might ask $500 to bind the bargain. testimony as to this payment proceeds as 1iollows:
"I liad suggested at the time, if a formal contract was necessary, that they might suggest paying $500. Q. Who might suggest paying $500'1 A. I suggested it. Q. Now, Mr. Langley, if this contract coutained all of tlip agreement, and was the contract. why did you go to Baker City in order to tender to ::VII'. Estes, or make arrangements to tender to him, $500. if it was not necessary for yOJ] to do it'! Hnow: I object to that. That is assuming a fact that is not proven in the case. Court: I understand the witness to say that, in conversation which he had at the hotel, it was understoo(l that Mr. Estes might demand $500 upon the execution of a formal contract. That is the statement you make'! A. Yes, sir; that was our talk at the hotel."
The conduct of Langley and Truax in providing $500 to be paid Estes; the statement in Langley's telegram and letter of acceptance of the option of October 23d and 26th, respectively, "'Vill be there soon as possible to execute contract, within thirty days sure," and "I will be there to make the contract as soon as possible, at least within the thirty days, as per our understanding, you can go right along and secure the stock,"-are inexplicable, upon plaintifl"s contention as to the facts in the case. If the option and its acceptance were to constitute a contract between the parties according to its terms, no tender of money was necessary, nor was it necessary that a contract should be made "within the thirty days." According to Langley. the gO days was merely the limit of his option to accept the terms of the writing which he had prepared and Estes had signed; but Langley had made haste to telegraph his acceptance the next day after the option had been signed by Estes, and confirmed his acceptance by a letter two days later: "I will be there to make the contract," "at least within the thirty days, as per our understanding." This reference to an understanding whieh included the making of a contract within 30 da,Ys from the date of the so-called option is not explained by Langley, and it admits of no- explanation consistent with his testimony. It is consistf'llt with Estes' statement, to the effect that there was an nnderstanding by which Estes was to have 80 days to "look over the range," and see whether the cattle in question could be bought at the prices named, and Langley would in the meantime ascertain whether he could dispose of them; the latter having, according to his own statement, no other interest to serve than that of controlling the shipment of the cattle over the line of road for which h(> was soliciting freight; and he had prior to this time been conferring with buyers of cattle, without, as he states, having reached a definite conclusion, to ascertain how and in what way he could place these cattle, should he make acontraet for them. Under these circumstances, nothing could be more natural than such an understanding as Estes testifies was had. To bind irrevocably then, withou1 knowing whether the cattle could be had, would have been an act of incredible folly on Estes' part. Langley testifies that Estes said he already had half the cattle required, but Estes denies this, and Wich:ersham's statement at the hotel to Langley that the cattle could not bebought for those prices tends to corroborate Estes. In any event, a large part of these eattle would have to be bought on the range, and, if Estes had not already appreciated the uncertain(r of getting them,
534
92 FEDERAL/REPORTER.
Wickersham's statement would have warned him. Wickersham and Estes lived together, and, their relations were probably intimate. Wickersham accompanied Estes, at the latter's request, to the hotel to meet Langley. This goes to show that Estes relied upon Wicker· sham's judgment and advice, and, in view of 'Wickersham's opinion, expressed to Langley in Estes' presence, that the cattle could not be bought for the prices named, renders it all the more improbable that Estes should have intended to commit himself, as claimed by Langley. Moreover, the acts of the parties immediately following the understanding point to the truth of the matter. Estes, according to his letter of October 29th to Langley, had "already looked over three counties," and found "that class of stuff scarce and hard to buy," and he said, "It will be impossible to get the cattle." Now, while he might have conducted this energetic search to find cattle which he had already agreed to furnish, it is apparent from this that, at the time the option was signed, Estes did not have the cattle to furnish under his offer, and he knew that he had no assurance of getting them. The only answer to this letter was the appearance of Langley and Truax at BakerCity on the 9th or 10th of November, where they consulted a lawyer, who advised them that it was "necessary" to make Estes a tender of $500. This advice, to have been warranted, must have resulted from some representation of facts different from those relied upon on the hearing. Estes testified that, when they were "talking about the thirty days," he told Langley "that if there should be a contract effected on these cattle, if they could be bought for those figures," he (Langley) "would have to pay some money down on them." And in another part of his testimony he says that when they were talking about the cattle he told Langley that there would have to be $500 put up any way. Langley's explanation as to this tender is that he told his attorney that in a previous conversation in regard to this matter he (Langley) had "suggested that, if a formal contract was made," he (Estes) might ask "$500 to bind the bargain." This explanation is worse than none. There is only one reasonable explanation of this tender or proposed tender of $500, made under the advice of counsel, "to bi)ld the bargain," and that is that the written option did not contain the understanding between the parties; and the conclusion is irresistible that the truth is, as Estes states, that by their understanding it was left open to the parties to enter into a contract in the future, and in. the event of such a contract one of its conditions would be an advance payment of $500 to Estes. I am satisfied that Estes was imposed upon in signing the option of October 23d. His own testimony as to this is corroborated by the circumstances attending the transaction. When, at the hotel, Wickerl'lham said that the cattle could hot be had at the figures named, Langle,V refused to continue the conversation in Wickersham's presence. The parties left the hotel together. Estes started to go home with Wickersham, when Langley called to him; and at the latter's request Estes got into the hotel bus, and the tWQ rode to the depot together. Wickersham and Estes both testify to this effect, while Langley says he cannot recollect whether he asked Estes to go with him or not. It is apparent that Langley wanted to get Estes where he would be
535
without Wickersham's advice and influence. There is something sinister in this maneuver by which Estes was separated from 'Wickersham, and was induced to sign the memorandum hurriedly prepared at the depot by LangleY,-a writing which, not having his glasses, Estes could only read imperfeetly, and which Langley at the time, according to his testimony, considered so favorable to him that he told Estes, who had already repented his action, and offered $50 to be released, that he would not let him off for $500. Truax, the plaintiff, testifies that he had arranged with Langley to take these cattle before the option was signed. What took place between them after the option was signed is explained in 'fruax's testimony, as follows: "Q. And at the time he talked with you first, the option in this case hall not been taken at all? A. I think not, Q, Now, when was it that he came back and said he had an option'! A. 'Well, I llon't know that I can give you the date, but it was the very last of October, when he was going through East. Q. He was going through, and he met you, and says, 'I have got an option'? A, Yes, sir. Q, Did he show it to you? A. No, sir; not then. Q. When did you first see it'! A. I didn't see it until on his return. He told me then he would have it properly assigned over to me when he came hack, and when he came huek he delivered it to me at the depot."
Truax paid nothing to Langley. There was no understanding or agreement or payment between them after Langley obtained the option. I..angley, in passing through Tekoa, where 'I'ruax lived, on his way East, saw the latter at the depot, and told him he had an option. On Langley's return he again saw Truax at the same depot, as the train was passing through, and delivered the option, properly assigned. This assignment is dated at Helena, Mont., November 2d; and so it must have been made while Langley was at that place during his trip East. This shows that the 30 days reserved to Langley in which to accept the option was to seI"Ve some other purpose than the one pretended. The real purpose of this 30-days option was to deceive Estes into believing that each of the parties had 30 days in which to decide with reference to a contract; that he had this time to hunt the ranges, and see if the cattle could be had at the prices offered, and Langley the same time to ascertain whether he could dispose of the cattle, if they were to be had. These unfavorable impressions art" confirmed by a comparison of the two men as they appeared on the witness stand. Making due allowance for the change that two years may have made in Estes' health, he still could have been no match for Langley. It was the case of a man advanced in years, broken and infirm, with impaired sight, slow to think, easily dominated by a stronger will, in the hands of a man of whom it is enough to say that his appearance and manner justify his selection by a great railroad to compete for business with its rivals. I am satisfied that Estes was deceived by Langley into signing the option, and that Langley's purpose was to keep this writing in reserve for use if Estes should decline to execute a contract for the sale of the cattle wanted by Langley within the 30 days agreed upon. There is no other explanation of Langley's conduct in writing Estes after the option was signed, and after he had telegraphed his acceptance, that he would be in Baker City "within the thirty days" "to make the contract," "as per our understanding," and in providing for a tender of $500,
536
after taking the ,·advicE!of an, attorney that this would be "necessRuy to bind the bargain." Plaintiff contends that, under the. pleadings and evidence, there is no room for any claim of fraud ,or undue influence. It is true that this defense is not made in terms. The answer admits the execution of the writing, and alleges, in effect, that it does not set out the understanding of the parties, and it shows this by stating ,:what that understanding in fact was; and Estes' testimony supports these allegations. From his testimony it appears that the understanding had between himself and Langley was different from that embodied in the writing, and it shows, furthermore, that Estes was, ,at the time he signed the writing, ignorant as to its terms. He says that he didn't read the writing "all over"; that he has only one eye, and cannot see well out of that; that he was without his glasses when he signed the option, and could not see it very well; that, by holding the writing up to the light before signing it, he could see "that there was thirty days down on the paper, and ,five hundred head of cattle," and, thinking "the days was all right," he signed the paper; that if he could have read it "all over, and got the whole sense of it," he never would have signed it, because it was not the agreelllent. 'l;'heeffect of this is that Estes believed the writing embodied the understanding ,that both parties ha,d 30 days to decide as to an engagement to sell and purchase cattle. He had no occasion to be particulllras to the other. provisions of the to him for this period to go all with instrument, so long as it was the deal or not, as he within the prescribed time. I am of the opinion that the allegations in the answer are sufficient to admit this proof, and that it is not necessary that the defendant shall allege in terms that he was deceived as to the terrus of the Writing; that it suffices if he alleges,and; shows by the facU! set out, that writing does,.Dot contain"the understanding of; the parties. I do not ,1;hink it a fair· il1ference from· the allegations the answer that thepar,ties inteudedthat language of the option should have a :meaning different from its or, in other words, that the defend· ant understood tlle ,terms ·of the but relied upon a contemporaneous verbal nnderstanding to; control their meaning. I am not free from doubt as to this, and, if the question had been raised upon exception to the answer, the intelltlment against this pleading would have,been stronger than it is now, after the evitleuce has been gone into and annal hearing had. Aside from these considerations, :;u).d upon the facts as claimed by plaintiff, his demand is At the when Estes noti· fied Langley that it would be impossible to furnish the cattle, six qays after the signing of the option, Langley had liluffered no damages. At this time there was a breach without damage, so far as appears. It is thata,t law Langley or his assignee might, notwithstanding this ,breach, wait until the time for performance rived, their damages then accrued.. The plaintiff has seen fit to go ,jnto a court Of equity, where the h;1rsh ,rules of the law are not enforceq.What is prayed for here is in character a penalty, -ajudgment.in equity for $7,000, because ,there is that mucb differ', ence between what plaintiff claim/:! .11e was to .pay. for the cattle
BRaWl' V. HOWARD.
537
in question and the price at which these cattle could have been sold at the date specified for delivery, without reference to their price on the day of the alleged contract, or of its breach a week later. 'Vhat testimony there is on that point shows that the cattle could not be bought at the time of the alleged contract for the prices speeified, and that Langley and Truax were advised of this. They did not, therefore, lose an opportunity to purchase at these prices in reliance on the alleged agreement. They parted with nothing, lost nothing, and were in no wise affected, by the alleged promise of Estes; for they were advised immediately of the impossibility of supplying these cattle, if they did not know of it at the time, as I am convinced Langley did. The case is not within the rule which permits a party, when there has been a breach of contract, to disregard a notice from the other party of his repudiation of the contract, and recover damages as of the date fixed for performance. The reason for that rule is that the other party is not permitted to chooE'e his own time to discharge himself from liability, and moreover he may reconsider his determination to rermdiate. This is a case where the contract is impossible of performance, and was so when it was made, and Langley knew it. If Langley's statement is true,-that Estes, immediately after he had signed the option, regretted his act, and offered $50 to be released, and that Langley said in reply to this request that he would not release him for $500,-it tends strongly to show that Langley believed that he had overreached Estes. In morals, if not in law, the effect of Estes' request was to rescind the option,-a thing he had a right to do, in any view of the case, as long as Langley did not accept it. This conduct on Langley's part places him in a most unfavorable light. Estes says nothing of the kind occurred, and, if this is true, then Langley has willfully stated an untruth in order to make it appear, from Estes' alleged anxiety to be released, that he understood the terms of the option at the time he signed it. If Estes was deceived in signing the option, or if, signing it with knowledge, he immediately signified his anxiety to be released, at a time when, Langley not having accepted, it was his right to withdraw, but through ignorance of his right he omitted the necessary formality to effect such withdrawal, in either event the demand of the plaintiff is inequitable, and must be denied. BROW:.\' v. HOWARD et al. (Circuit Court, S. D. Iowa, C. D. COKCLUDED-PARTIES.
February 27, 1899.)
'Vhere, in a suit against one as administratrix, her individual rights in the subject of the ac-tion were directly involved. and she, residing beyond the seas, executed a power of attorney to other defendants to represent her individuallJ', and she was represented by counsel, who had previously represented her personally, and who assunwd to represent her individually as well as administratrix, in the case which was prosecuted to the United States snpreme court on the theory that she was personally a party, she cannot claim that she is not individually bound by the decree.
N. T. Guernsey, for complainant. Henry S. Robbins, for defendant Howard.