Case Name: In the matter of the estate of William L. Mintzer, deceased
Court: Minnesota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Minnesota
Decision Date: 1885-06-15
Citations: 33 Minn. 470
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the matter of the estate of William L. Mintzer, deceased.
Judges: 
Reporter: Minnesota Reports
Volume: 33
Pages: 470–471

Head Matter:
In the matter of the estate of William L. Mintzer, deceased.
June 15, 1885.
Evidence. — Evidence held sufficient to sustain a finding of fact.
Anna R. Mintzer, widow of deceased, filed a claim in the probate court for Ramsey county for money loaned to him in his lifetime. The probate court disallowed the claim, and an appeal was taken to the district court, which was tried by Brill, J., without a jury, and judgment directed and entered disallowing the claim, from which judgment the widow appeals.
McMillan & Beals, for appellant.
Williams & Goodenow, for the estate.

Opinion:
Gileillan, C. J.
Both the probate and district courts have found on the matter of fact against the claim of appellant; the latter finding, as a fact, that the loan from her to the deceased was- repaid by him. There is sufficient evidence — all of it circumstantial — to sustain this finding. The fact that the money was loaned several years before his death; that in their business transactions they were very exacting for a man and his wife, doing business just as if they were strangers; that he was abundantly able to pay the debt, if he owed it, having usually money in bank, and having good credit there; and the fact that, having urgent need for money, which she sought to obtain through his aid, instead of requiring payment of the debt, as would be natural if he then owed her, she resorted to a sale of property by her to him as the means of obtaining money from him; and that during that transaction no allusion was made by her to any indebtedness from him, — justifies the inference that he did not then owe her anything.
Judgment affirmed.