Case Name: Watkins v. Martin
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Arkansas
Decision Date: 1901-05-11
Citations: 69 Ark. 311
Docket Number: 
Parties: Watkins v. Martin.
Judges: Wood, J., absent.
Reporter: Arkansas Reports
Volume: 69
Pages: 311–313

Head Matter:
Watkins v. Martin.
Opinion delivered May 11, 1901.
1. Statute oe Limitations — Bubden oe Pbooe. — Where the statute of limitations is pleaded in an action on an account, the burden is on plaintiff to show that his action is not barred. (Page 312.)
2. Judicial Notice — Pobmer Action.- — The fact that an indorsement of the clerk upon a complaint in an action shows that the same complaint was filed in a previous action will not he judicially noticed in the pending suit. (Page 313.)
3. Statute oe Limitations — Bubden oe Pbooe. — Where, to rehut the defense of the statute of limitations, plaintiff relies upon the fact that two actions were brought hy him on the same cause of action, of which one was brought within time and nonsuit taken, and the other was brought within one year thereafter, the burden is on - him to establish such fact. (Page 313.)
Appeal from .Pulaski Circuit Court.
Joseph W. Martin, Judge.
Marie Valentine, for appellant.
A married woman has free power to sell and convey her separate property as if she was a feme sole. Sand. & H. Dig., § 4940; Const. 1874, art. 9, § 7; 53 FT. Y. 93. The power of attorney was the best evidence to show agent’s authority. 52 Ark. 234. A principal, on being fully informed of one’s act acting without authority for him, must disaffirm it in a reasonable time, or he will he held to have ratified it. 40 Wis. 431.. A single act and a single recognition of authority may serve the agency. 24 Minn. 269. Every new item on a funning account draws with it all preceding items. 2 Mo. App. 580; 40 Iowa, 41. A married woman may contract through an agent for improvement of her real estate. 71 Ind. 159 A husband may act as such. 99 Jnd. 469.
J. II. Carmichael, for appellee. •
Our statute does not authorize married women to make exec-utory contracts for future conveyances. 29 Ark. 658; 29 Ark. 346; 30 Ark. 612; 38 Ark. 31; 39 Ark. 120; 16 Cal. 533. Before the passage of act of 1893 a married woman’s executory contract to convey land was void. 39 Ark. 357; 44 Ark. 112; 53 Ark. 109; 44 Ark. 153; 41 Ark. 169. The power of attorney ivas void. 41 Ark. 169. For what she did, unless for the benefit of her separate estate, she was not liable. 29 Ark. 346; 33 Ark. 266; 34 Ark. 32. Statute of limitations was sustained. 2 Ark. 14; 3 Ark. 532; 5 Ark. 309; 6 Ark. 456; 14 Ark. 27; 13 Ark. 316; 18 Ark. 53; 27 Ark. 292; 33 Ark. 828. The bill of exceptions does not profess to set out all the evidence, and the presumption is in favor of the judgment. 2 Ark. 33; 8 Ark. 429; 24 Ark. 602; 22 Ark. 179; 25 Ark. 334; 14 Ark. 298; 37 Ark. 57; 40 Ark. 185; 46 Ark. 67; 27 Ark. 395; 45 Ark. 240; 43 Ark. 451; 55 Ark. 126.

Opinion:
Battle, J.
William M. Watkins brought this action against Francis C. Martin upon an open account for services rendered by him to the defendant. The defendant answered and denied the account, and, among other things, pleaded the three-years' statute of limitation in bar of plaintiff's right to maintain the action. The defendant recovered -judgment, and the plaintiff appealed. The burden was upon the plaintiff to show that his action was
not barred by the statute of limitations. Leigh v. Evans, 64 Ark. 26; McNeil v. Garland, 27 Ark. 343; Carnall v. Clark, ib. 500; Railway v. Shocraft, 53 Ark. 96. He has utterly failed to do so.
Judgment affirmed.
Wood, J., absent.