Court Opinion

ID: 7090635
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 12:05:24.587154+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:13:04.912332
License: Public Domain

Opinion by

Greene, J.
Bill for specific performance, filed by W. A. IGmbrell against J. M. McDaneld, for a deed to land, agreeable to a written agreement.
Upon a full hearing of the case the court found for complainant, agreeable to Ms prayer in tbe bill.
To this decree the defendant urges two objections: 1. That tbe tender of the balance due on the land was not proved witli sufficient certainty. 2. That the tender was not kept good, by depositing tbe money in court.
Upon, tbe first point tbe amended bill distinctly avers *336that complainant tendered to defendant, in land office money, the amount named in the agreement, on the day ii became due, and that defendant refused to accept the money, and refused to give a deed. This averment is fully proved by two witnesses, who were present when the tender was made. They state, however, that they did not count the money nor see it counted, but that they saw the money; that it was in gold and silver, and that complainant said it was the amount called for on that day by the agreement. But still defendant refused to take the money and give the deed.
As there was no objection to the amount tendered, and as it is not pretended that there was a greater amount due> nor that the payment was not offered within the time stipulated, we cannot but regard the proof as sufficiently certain.
2. Was it necessary to keep the amount in court? Them are cases depending upon a tender in which money musí be brought into court, and the tender kept good. But this case is not of that character. Such a case implies an unconditional indebtedness by the party pleading the tender. In this case the indebtedness was conditional, and dependent. Complainant was under no liability to make this last payment on the land until defendant was prepared and wdlling to make the deed. These stipulations were made concurrent and simultaneous by the agreement. Both covenants are dependent, and as complainant offered and showed his readiness and ability to perform his part, and as defendant refused to take the money and denied his obligation to convey, it follows, that complainant goes into equity with clean hands, for a specific performance of the contract.
It follows then, that, as defendant was in default, as he refused to do that which would give him a right to the money, he was under no obligation to keep the amount in *337court; he was only required to pay the money on obtaining-title by deed or decree;
Hempstead & Burt, for appellant.
L. Clark, for appellee.
Decree affirmed.