Opinion ID: 2231901
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Issues Among Present Parties. Hesses and Holecs advance several propositions on the merits which are susceptible of determination among present parties The propositions are largely factual.

Text: Hesses contend, with reference to Mrs. Ditch's crop damage claim especially, that the water which caused the damage came from three pipes under the highway southeast of the highway culvert. The evidence shows, however, that the water from those three pipes did not cause crop damage in the area in question in previous years. That water went more to the southeast part of the Ditch farm which is tiled. Ditches started having crop damage when Hesses had the cement wings blown up and the 48-inch pipe removed. We are satisfied the trial court was right that Hesses' acts caused the crop damage. The trial court properly rendered judgment against Hesses for $4,537.44. Hesses also contend in connection with the damage issue that the operator of Mrs. Ditch's land was a tenant, not a cropper. But the evidence shows the latter, as the trial court held. Holecs urge that they did not execute the Ditch-Hess contract settling the Ditch-Stepanek lawsuit and are not bound by it. Hesses argue that the contract is invalid because Mr. Hess signed it for both himself and his wife. Mr. Hess did sign it for both of them, and the evidence shows he had authority to do so. But Hesses were acquiring the Stepanek farm as their homestead with proceeds from their previous homestead, and they say they both had to sign the contract personally to make it valid, citing §§ 561.13 and 561.20, Code 1973. See also Blakeslee v. Paul, 212 Iowa 1385, 238 N.W. 447; Keeline v. Clark, 132 Iowa 360, 106 N.W. 257. We do not decide the binding character or the effect of the contract with reference to disposition of the water, because of the absence of indispensable parties. On the basis of estoppel, we do think the contract binds Hesses as to Mrs. Ditch's damage claim. Sawyer v. Perry, 62 Iowa 238, 17 N.W. 497; Truro Savings Bank v. Foster, 206 Iowa 432, 220 N.W. 20; Clark v. Chapman, 213 Iowa 737, 239 N.W. 797. We have carefully considered all of the other propositions which Hesses and Holecs raise, but we do not find merit in them. We therefore affirm the decree as to these issues among the parties themselves including the award of damages to Mrs. Ditch, but as to the disposition of the water we reverse and remand for want of indispensable parties, with leave to bring them in. All court costs to date are taxed two-thirds to plaintiff and one-third to Hesses. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.