Case ID: ky_53/html/0413-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Judge Crenshaw", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Sweeney vs. Owsley.
    ERROR TO LINCOLN CIRCUIT.
    So soon as a bargain for the sale of personal property is struct, the contract becomes absolute, -without payment or delivery, and the property is at the risk of the purchaser. If part of the price bo paid when the bargain is struck, and no express stipulation as to the time of payment of the remainder, it is due upon delivery; if the seller is prevented from the delivery by the act of God, the price must nevertheless be paid.
    So soon as a bargain for tbo sale of personal property iu struck, the contract becomes absolute, without payment or delivery, and the property is at the risk of the purchaser. If part of the price be paid when the bargain is struck, and no express stipulation as to the time of payment of the remainder, it is due upon de • lively; if the seller is preven, ted from the delivery by the act of God, the price must nevertheless be paid.
    Case 10.
    June 14.
    Case stated.
   Judge Crenshaw

delivered the opinion of the court.

In August, 1853, Owsley purchased from Sweeney a mule colt, at the price of $57 50, and paid five dollars ia hand — -nothing being said as to the time the balance should be paid — and the mule colt was to remain with the mare until weaning time. About tbe first of September the colt died in possession of Sweeney, never having- been delivered. The question is, whether Owsley is bound to pay Sweeney the balance of the pui'chase money?

So soon as a bargain of sale of specific personal property is struck the contract becomes absolute, without actual payment or delivery, and the property and risk of accident to it is in the buyer. Nothing being said as to tbe time of payment of the balance of tbe consideration, we take it that this balance was to be paid on the delivery of the mule, and had it lived the vendor would not have been bound to surrender possession until payment. The vendor would have the right to an action for his money upon the delivery or tender of the mule, had it lived; and the vendee would have had a right to an action for the failure to deliver upon the tender of the money. Notwithstanding it may have been necessary, had the colt lived, that the vendor should have delivered or tendered it, before a right to demand the balance of the purchase would have attached, yet the colt having died he is excused from such condition. If a condition becomes impossible by the act of God, of the law, op of the obligee, the obligation is saved — 6 Dana, 49 — 50.

Fox and Bell for plaintiff; Boyle for defendant.

We think there is no doubt but that the right of property in the mule passed by the bargain, and as the condition of delivery became impossible by the act of God, the delivery is excused, and the right of action absolute — 6 Dana, supra.

If in the purchase of articles which from necessity or convenience are permitted to remain in the possession of the vendor, and the vendee wishes to avoid payment in case the property should perish before the time of delivery, he should stipulate to that effect.

The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial, and further proceedings not inconsistent with the principles of this opinion.