Case Name: S. Geiselman and another v. John Brown and another
Court: Supreme Court of Texas
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1870
Citations: 33 Tex. 323
Docket Number: 
Parties: S. Geiselman and another v. John Brown and another.
Judges: 
Reporter: Texas Reports
Volume: 33
Pages: 323–324

Head Matter:
S. Geiselman and another v. John Brown and another.
1. In defense to an action on notes made in 1862, it was pleaded that they were payable in Confederate money, and that the consideration had failed. A demurrer to tliS=e pleas being interposed," tbe court below sustained it, struck out the pleas, and directed the jury to return their verdict lor the amount of the notes. Held, to be erroneous; inasmuch as the demurrer admitted the truth of the matters alleged in the pleas, the judgment should have been for the makers of the note; and this court not only reverses the judgment below, but dismisses the.case.
Error from Harris. Tried below before tbe Hon. George E. Scott.
The opinion of tbe court states the facts.
J. W. McGonaughey, for tbe plaintiffs in error.
Ho brief for tbe defendants in error.

Opinion:
Walker, J.
The plaintiffs purchased certain six slaves from the defendant, Brown, on the third day .of December, 1862, and executed .to him their promissory note for §5000, payable four years after date, with ten per cent, interest per annum. To secure the payment of said note they executed a deed of trust on the six negroes and lots Hos. 1, 2, 8, 4, 5, .6, 7 and 12, in block 310, in tbe city .of Houston, to J. B. Dart as trustee. Dart died, and after tbe maturity of the note the defendant Oliver assumed to act as trustee. The negroes having become free in the meantime, he advertised the lots for sale. The plaintiffs in tbe meantime had made valuable improvements on the lots, and they enjoined the sale of them by Oliver, who came into court, disclaimed all ¿interest in tbe suit as trustee or otherwise, and was dismissed. .Brown intervened, setting up that the note belonged to him, was due and unpaid, and demanded judgment upon it.
The plaintiffs, thus becoming defendants to Brown's cross action, defended on the ground that the consideration for the note had failed, and that the note was to he paid in Oonféderate-money', and, if paid, should be paid in par' funds of the yalue of Confederate money at the time the note matured.
To these defenses the defendant® Brown, demurred', and the court sustained the demurrer, striking out all the answers ; and, without further evidence than the note, instructed the jury to find' for Brown. The jury found in. accordance with the charge. A motion for new trial was made and overruled, and several exceptions were taken, which are urged before this court. We are* of opinion the district court erred m entertaining a demurrer after answer to the merits.
There was also error in sustaining the demurrer to the plea of' failure of consideration,, and also-to the plea-.of illegality of contract. These defenses being admitted by defendant's demurrer,, the judgment of the court should have-Been for the plaintiffs. We* therefore reverse the judgment of the district, court and dismiss-the case, with costs to the plaintiffs in error.
Reversed: and* dismissed,-