Case ID: ind_35/html/0521-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Buskirk, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Bishop, Administrator, v. Welch.
    Administrator.— Witness.—In a suit where judgment is sought against the administrator of an estate, and the answer brings the defense within the exception of the statute relating to a case where an action is brought by an heir upon a contract made with the ancestor, the plaintiff is not a competent witness, unless called by the administrator or the court.
    Evidence of Settlement.—Where a claim was filed against an estate for work and labor done, for money had and received by, and services and attendance upon, the deceased during his sickness; and the defense was that the work and labor and money and services were performed and paid under a valid contract; and under plea of set-off promissory notes were offered in evidence, given by the person presenting the claim to the decedent at various times during the period for which he demanded compensation for labor and attendance, it was the duty of the court to instruct the jury that these notes were prima facie evidence of a settlement between the claimant and the deceased.
    Witness.—Admissions.—The claimant was not a competent witness to disprove the making of admissions by him, testified to by a third party, that such a contract existed as was set out in the answer.
    APPEAL from the Plamilton Common Pleas.
   Buskirk, J.

The appellee filed in the court below a claim against the estate of William Bishop, deceased. The claim was for work and labor done and performed, personal property sold and delivered, money loaned and money had and received, and for personal attendance upon the deceased during his protracted sickness. A bill of particulars was filed. The claim amounted to three thousand one hundred and seventy dollars. The credits given amounted to sixteen hundred and sixty-eight dollars, leaving a balance due of fifteen hundred and two dollars. There was attached to the claim an affidavit as to its correctness. The administrator refused to allow the claim. It was transferred to the issue docket.

The appellant, as administrator of said estate, filed an answer in four paragraphs, i. The general denial. 2. That there was a contract between the decedent and the plaintiff,' by which plaintiff had obligated himself to keep, feed, clothe,' and provide for the decedent and his wife, for and. during their natural lives, everything that was necessary for their use, comfort, and enjoyment, and in consideration thereof the plaintiff was to have the use and enjoyment of the farm of the decedent during such period of time; that all the work done and money paid by the plaintiff as set out in his claim, was done and paid under and in pursuance of the said contract. 3. Payment. 4. Set-off; with the plea of set-off was filed a bill of particulars. Among the items were several notes executed by the plaintiff to the decedent, at different times, but during the time for which the plaintiff claimed for services.

The cause was tried by a jury, resulting in a verdict for the plaintiff for eleven hundred and sixty-eight dollars and forty-seven cents. A motion for a new trial was overruled, and judgment was rendered on the verdict. Various reasons were assigned for a new trial, and quite a number of errors are .assigned; but two are insisted on in the argument, and they will be considered, and the others will be regarded 'as waived.

The first alleged error consists in the admission of illegal and incompetent evidence. The appellant, to sustain the allegations contained in the second paragraph of his answer, introduced one William F. Noble, who testified to a conversation between the decedent and plaintiff in reference to the contract relied upon. The evidence strongly tended to establish a contract. When the plaintiff came to his rebutting testimony, he offered himself as a witness to testify in reference to the conversation testified to by the said Noble and the making of the said contract. The court, over the objection of the appellant, permitted the plaintiff to testify in reference to such matters. The plaintiff was an incompetent witness, under two exceptions to the statute rendering parties competent to testify. This was a suit against an administrator upon a' claim against the estate of the decedent, in which a judgment was sought against the administrator. The matters set up in the second paragraph of the answer brought the defense within the exception where an action was brought by an heir upon a contract made with the ancestor. It is quite clear that the appellee was an incompetent witness, and that the court erred in permitting him to testify. The plaintiff could have been rendered competent as a witness, if he had been required to testify either by the administrator or the court, but such was not the case in this action. The plaintiff offered himself as a witness, and claimed the privilege to testify as a matter of right.

.The next error assigned is based upon the refusal o f the court to instruct the jury as requested by the appellant. The appellant asked the court to charge the jury, that the giving of the notes by the plaintiff to the decedent, as alleged in the answer, and shown by the testimony, was j?rimct facie evidence of a settlement of accounts existing between the parties at the dates of giving such notes. We think the instruction should have been given. The execution of a note raises a presumption of a settlement, but this is not a conclusive presumption, but may be overcome by evidence showing that the claim sued upon was not included in the settlement, or that the note was given upon another and different consideration.

y. O'Brien and W. O'Brien, for appellant.

D. Moss, for appellee.

The judgment is reversed, with costs; cause remanded, with directions to the court below to grant a new trial, and for other proceedings, in accordance with this opinion.'