Cox v. Stollenwerck

ANDERSON, C. J. This court has repeatedly held that, in equity as well as law, when the evidence before the trial court is ore tenus, or partly so, the trial court had the benefit of seeing and hearing the witnesses, and therefore possessed an advantage over this court in weighing and considering the same, and its judgment or decree was like unto the verdict of a jury, and would not be disturbed unless the result was plainly and palpably contrary to the great weight of the evidence. Senior v. State, 205 Ala. 337, 87 So. 592; Fitzpatrick v. Stringer, 200 Ala. 374, 76 So. 932; Ray v. Watkins, 203 Ala. 683, 85 So. 25, and many cases there cited. Therefore, pretermitting the authority of the respondent to release the mortgage, and conceding that it would be binding on him if supported by a valuable consideration, his evidence shows that it was without consideration; a mere nudum pactum. This was contradicted by the complainant, who was corroborated in part by his wife, but the trial court saw and heard both the complainant and the respozident testify, and believed the respondent, and the decree must be affirmed, which is accordingly done. The decree of the circuit court is affirmed. Affirmed. SOMERVILLE, THOMAS, and BOULDIN, JJ., concur.