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40 S.D. 150

Peterson v. King

South Dakota Supreme Court

Decided March 8, 1918

South Dakota Supreme Court · decided 1918-03-08

Appeal- from Circuit Court, Minnehaha County, Hon. Joseph W. Jones, Judge. Action by Edward Peterson, against J. N. King and The King Land & Loan Company, to recover compensation for services as a “middle-man” in bringing about an exchange of properties between defendíante 'and ;a third party. From a judgment for plaintiff, and from an order denying a new trial, defendants appeal.

Affirmed · Decided 1918-03-08

WHITING, P. J.

¶1Action to recover compensation which plaintiff claims is clue him from defendants upon an express contract for services in bringing' defendants and a third party together, through which bringing together an exchange of properties was consummated between such parties. Verdict and judgment for plaintiff, and from the judgment and an order denying a new trial defendants have appealed. Two- questions of fact are presented for our consideration.

¶2Appellants contend that, under the undisputed evidence, it appears that respondent was not a mere “middleman,” hut was in fact the agent of appellants, and as such occupied a relation of trust and confidence, under which he was not entitled to> receive compensation from both parties to- the exchange-, unless each of said panties knew that lie was to receive compensation from the other, and -that the evidence shows the othe-r party to the exchange t-o have been- ignorant -of the fact .that • respondent was to receive -compensation from appellants. Appellants raise no question as to the law governing the rights of a “middleman,” nor does respondent a-s to those governing the rights of one who 'occupies a relation of trust toward the parties for whom he acts. Appellants asked and the -court gave an instruction under which, if the ju-ry found respondent to be a “middleman,” he was -entitled to recover. Appellants now insist that there was no evidence up-on which the jury could find respondent to be a “middleman.” If that were true, the instruction they asked for was improper. After a careful examination of the record, we are of the opinion that there was evidence, sufficient to go to the jury, supporting respondent’s- claim that he was a “middleman.” It therefore becomes unnecessary to consider the other issue -of fact raised.

¶3The judgment and order appealed from are affirmed.

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