Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

26 Tex. 492

McGown v. Randolph

Texas Supreme Court

Decided July 1, 1863

Texas Supreme Court · decided 1863-07-01

Error from Walker. Tried below before the Hon. P. W. Gray. Randolph, the appellee, instituted this suit against A. J. McGown and D. D. Davies upon their written instrument as follows: “We this day release W. H. Randolph from the Advocate and Presbyterian office in toto, without any charges ever after this to be brought against him. The office is now indebted to him two hundred and eighty dollars 42-100, to be paid in arrangements that he can make or collect. D. D. Davies.

Decided 1863-07-01

Wheeler, C. J.

¶1We are of opinion that the court did not err in the instructions to the jury as to the legal interpretation of the contract and undertaking on the part of the defendants.

¶2We think it competent for the plaintiff to propound interroga-1 tories to one only of several defendants under the statute. He inay be willing to make one of them & witness to testify against his interest, when he -would not another, or one of them may be cognizant of the facts, and the other not. The ansxverS of the dé-1 fendánt appear to have been taken iñ conformity to the Statute, (Hart. Dig., 735, 739.)

¶3The only remaining question Which seems to require notice iS Whether the answers of the defendant, Daffies, were admissible against Ms co-defendant. And We are of opinion that they were, &nd entitled to the s'ame weight ás the testimony of any other Witness. He xvas not incompetent merely because a party to the ^record. (Parsons v. Phipps, 4 Tex. R., 341.) He xvas not disqualified by his interest, because it Was adverse to the party calling him, and in favor of the party dbjecting 'to Ms deposition. (Id.; Tucker v. Willis, 24 Tex. R., 247; Gill v. Campbell, Id., 405.)

¶4The objection that hiS Co-defendant did not havé the opportunity to cross-examine, wé dó not think well founded in fact. The requisite notice was gixmn of the taking of the deposition of the Witness, and the appellant might have propounded interrogatories if he had seen proper.

¶5Wh are Of opinion that there is no error in the judgment, and it is affirmed,

¶6Judgment affirmed.

/26/tex/492 · .json · Public domain