Case Name: GODDARD MACHINERY COMPANY, Inc., Appellant, v. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT REPAIRS, INC., Appellee
Court: Texas Courts of Civil Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1961-10-26
Citations: 351 S.W.2d 371
Docket Number: No. 3944
Parties: GODDARD MACHINERY COMPANY, Inc., Appellant, v. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT REPAIRS, INC., Appellee.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Western Reporter Second Series
Volume: 351
Pages: 371–372

Head Matter:
GODDARD MACHINERY COMPANY, Inc., Appellant, v. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT REPAIRS, INC., Appellee.
No. 3944.
Court of Civil Appeals of Texas. Waco.
Oct. 26, 1961.
Carl R. Griffith, Beaumont, for appellant.
O. B. McWhorter, Port Arthur, for ap-pellee.

Opinion:
WILSON, Justice.
Plaintiff sued on a verified account. Defendant's unverified answer pleaded pay ment and accord and satisfaction. The court concluded that in the absence of verified denial under Rule 185, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, defendant was "not entitled to offer any defense as pleaded", withdrew the case from the jury and rendered judgment on the pleadings for plaintiff.
This was error. Even in the absence of a sworn denial, under the Rule, defendant's pleaded defenses in the nature of confession and avoidance were available. Yelton v. Bird Lime & Cement Co., Tex.Civ.App., 161 S.W.2d 353, syl. 6, writ ref. w. m.; J. M. Radford Gro. Co. v. Porter, Tex.Civ. App., 17 S.W.2d 145, 147, writ dis.; Glasco v. Frazer, Tex.Civ.App., 225 S.W.2d 633, 635, writ dis.; McConnon & Co. v. Klenk, Tex.Civ.App., 11 S.W.2d 222, 223; American Druggists Synd. v. Holt Drug Co., Tex.Civ.App., 272 S.W. 508, 509; Queen City Motor Co. v. Texas Auto Supply Co., Tex.Civ.App., 241 S.W. 212, 214 and cases therein cited. Reversed and remanded.