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126 Wis. 62

Pierce v. Stitt

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Decided October 24, 1905

Wisconsin Supreme Court · decided 1905-10-24

Stitt. Olive A. Stitt (formerly Olive A. Blake), before ber marriage to Stitt, and one Kittie Blake made and delivered to appellant on tbe 12th day of September, 1885, a general power of attorney authorizing him to collect and enforce .against one Damon Ooates, of the city of New York, all claims and demands that they or either of them had, personally or individually, separately or jointly, against said Coates, as well as all other claims and demands that they or either of…

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently September 1968

1 federal appellate ·

Relies on Phelan v. Fitzpatrick · Duecker v. Goeres · Spencer v. Holman

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Affirmed · Decided 1905-10-24

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UeRWIN, J.

¶1It appears from the evidence that the services were performed by Herdegen soon after the execution of the power of attorney, and between the 14th and 20th of September, 1885; that appellant went with Herdegen to New York ■and paid his own expenses. He also paid Herdegen’s bill, the last payment being made December 3, 1885, and took a receipt in full. Appellant also took an assignment of the claim Trom Herdegen December 8, 1885. It also appears that dur*64ing Mrs. Stitt’s lifetime, and in October, 1885, Herdegen presented bis bill for services to ber and asked for a settlement. Appellant offered to prove that Mrs. Stitt made two payments of $5 each, one September 5, 1891, and tbe other August 6, 1897, wbicb evidence was objected to, on tbe ground that tbe witness was incompetent to testify under tbe statute, and ruled out. Tbe court was clearly right in excluding this evidence, it being a transaction with deceased and incompetent, and it does not appear that appellant complains of tbe ruling.

¶2Tbe main contention of appellant for a reversal is that tbe claim for tbe $310 paid to Herdegen is upon a sealed instrument and does not outlaw short of twenty years. There is no dispute but that tbe six-year statute bad run upon the-claim long before it was filed. It is not material in this case whether tbe claim was one against deceased and assigned to Pierce, or a claim of Pierce against deceased for moneys paid out by him for ber benefit. In either case it outlawed in six years. It was not a claim upon a sealed instrument, within tbe meaning of subd. 2, sec. 4220, Stats. 1898, wbicb provides that an action upon a sealed instrument must be commenced within twenty years. It is _ very plain that tbe action upon tbe account in suit is not within this statute. Tbe proanise to pay is not in tbe instrument itself, but independent of it. Tbe power simply authorized tbe expenditure of tbe money, and tbe law implies a promise to- pay. Tbe action is upon tbe implied promise, and not upon tbe sealed instrument. Duecker v. Goeres, 104 Wis. 29, 80 N. W. 91; Phelan v. Fitzpatrick, 84 Wis. 240, 54 N. W. 614; Spencer v. Holman, 113 Wis. 340, 89 N. W. 132. It follows that the judgment of tbe court below is correct and should be affirmed.

¶3By the Oowrt. — Tbe judgment of tbe court below is affirmed.

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