Lingle v. Clemens

Perkins, J. Suit, for work and labor in building a house. The defendant answered, as to $600 of the demand sued for, that the work was done under a special parol contract, [125] by which, it was to be paid for, to the amount of $600, by the conveyance by the defendant to the plaintiff, of one of two designated lots in Lafayette, (giving their numbers,) the title to which was then in Godlove S. Orth, Esq., but which defendant was to procure and convey to plaintiffs when the work should be done, on the plaintiffs’ signifying •to him which one of the two lots he should procure and convey, they having the option; and the defendant averred that he had been at all times, and still was, ready, on the plaintiffs’ choice being signified to him, to convey, &c.; but the plaintiffs had failed and refused, &c. But a short time elapsed after the work was performed before the suit was commenced. G. O. Behm and IL. O. Behm., for the appellants. S. A. Huff and R. Jones, for the appellees. ' A demurrer was sustained to this answer, on the ground that the contract was void by the statute of frauds. This is the question made in the case, and on this question, alone, we decide upon the ruling below. The ruling was as wrong as the proposition was inequitable.- The case of Johnson v. Moore, 1 Blackf. 253, is exactly in point. Ind. Dig., p. 15. Browne on the Statute of Frauds, lays down this proposition, at p. 125: “The right of the vendee of land by verbal contract, to recover what money, or other consideration, he has paid, is clearly confined to those cases where the vendor has refused, or become unable, to carry out the contract, the plaintiff himself having faithfully performed, or offered to perform, on his part.” A parol'contract for the sale of lands is voidable, not void. Hadden v. Johnson, 7 Ind. 394. It has been held that payment of the consideration may be such part performance as to take a parol contract for the sale of lands out of the statute. Perk.Prac. p. 659, and cases cited. Probably Lingle might have conveyed either lot, on the failure of the plaintiffs to designate. See Wornack v. Jenkins, post, 137. Per Ouriam. — The judgment is reversed, with costs. Cause remanded, with instructions to proceed according to this opinion.