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33 Ind. 155

Porter v. Dearinger

Indiana Supreme Court

Decided July 1, 1870

Indiana Supreme Court · decided 1870-07-01

<p>Contract. — Novation.—In consideration of the oral agreement of A. to con- . vey certain real estate to B., the latter executed his note to C. for a certain sum due from A. to C., who received said note in full satisfaction of his claim on A., who. afterwards refused to. convey to. B. said real estate, with.out which. B. was insolvent at the time of the transaction -anti so -eontinueá ■to be.</p> <p>Held, that A. was -released from his obligation to C.</p>

Relies on Henry v. Ritenour

Decided 1870-07-01

Gregory, C. J.

¶1A demurrer was overruled to the fourth paragraph of the -complaint; and this is the first error -complained of.

¶2The paragraph shows, substantially, that the defendant was indebted to the plaintiff in the sum of three hundred dollars, for a balance due on the exchange of property; that, in consideration of the oral agreement of the defendant that he would convey certain real estate to one Holtzman, the latter assumed to pay the debt to the plaintiff' and executed his note therefor, which the plaintiff' received in full satisfaction; that the defendant refused to make the conveyance to Holtzman, thei’eby rendering the note void; that Holtzman was insolvent, without the lot, at the time of the transaction, and so continued to be up to the time of suit brought.

¶3As between the plaintiff and Holtzman the consideration of the note was the release of the defendant by the plaintiff The failure of the defendant to convey the real estate to Holtzman was no defense to the note payable to the plaintiff. Henry v. Ritenour, 31 Ind. 136.

¶4There is nothing averred in the paragraph to take the case out of the general rule. The court below erred in overruling the demurrer.

¶5The evidence fails to make a case against the appellant.

¶6The court erred in overruling the motion for a new trial.

¶7Judgment reversed, with costs; cause remanded, with direction to sustain the demurrer to the fourth paragraph of the complaint, and to grant a new trial, and for further proceedings.

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