Case ID: sd_40/html/0150-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      WHITING, P. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

PETERSON, Respondent, v. KING, et al, Appellants.
    (166 N. W. 1087.)
    (File No. 4247.
    Opinion filed March 8, 1918.)
    Brokers — Suit for Compensation as “Middle-man” — Compensation From Both Parties, Ignorance hy One, of Dual Compensation —Evidence, Sufficiency.
    In a suit to recover compensation for services in bringing defendants and a third party together, through -which an exchange of properties was consummated, held, that the evidence was sufficient to go to the jury, tending to support plaintiff’s claim that he was a “middle-man.”
    Appeal- from Circuit Court, Minnehaha County, Hon. Joseph W. Jones, Judge.
    Action by Edward Peterson, against J. N. King and The King Land & Loan Company, to recover compensation for services as a “middle-man” in bringing about an exchange of properties between defendíante 'and ;a third party. From a judgment for plaintiff, and from an order denying a new trial, defendants appeal.
    Affirmed.
    
      Parliman & Parliman, for Appellants.
    
      Jones & Matthews, (Boyce, Warren & Pairbank, of counsel), for Respondent.
   WHITING, P. J.

Action to recover compensation which plaintiff claims is clue him from defendants upon an express contract for services in bringing' defendants and a third party together, through which bringing together an exchange of properties was consummated between such parties. Verdict and judgment for plaintiff, and from the judgment and an order denying a new trial defendants have appealed. Two- questions of fact are presented for our consideration.

Appellants contend that, under the undisputed evidence, it appears that respondent was not a mere “middleman,” hut was in fact the agent of appellants, and as such occupied a relation of trust and confidence, under which he was not entitled to> receive compensation from both parties to- the exchange-, unless each of said panties knew that lie was to receive compensation from the other, and -that the evidence shows the othe-r party to the exchange t-o have been- ignorant -of the fact .that • respondent was to receive -compensation from appellants. Appellants raise no question as to the law governing the rights of a “middleman,” nor does respondent a-s to those governing the rights of one who 'occupies a relation of trust toward the parties for whom he acts. Appellants asked and the -court gave an instruction under which, if the ju-ry found respondent to be a “middleman,” he was -entitled to recover. Appellants now insist that there was no evidence up-on which the jury could find respondent to be a “middleman.” If that were true, the instruction they asked for was improper. After a careful examination of the record, we are of the opinion that there was evidence, sufficient to go to the jury, supporting respondent’s- claim that he was a “middleman.” It therefore becomes unnecessary to consider the other issue -of fact raised.

The judgment and order appealed from are affirmed.