Jacobson v. Nealand

Deemeb, C. J. The deed wbicb is attacked was execu ted June 2, 1900. It cohered property wbicb was theretofore tbe homestead of August Huge, and recites as consideration the sum of $1, and other considerations in hand paid b^ Henry Nealand. At the time the deed was made Huge was over seventy years of age, and had lived with his stepson for some months. He was troubled with rheumatism, and was afflicted with the ordinary troubles incident to old age, including deafness. His wife died in January of the year 1900, and he immediately took up his residence with defendant, with whom he continued to live until about December 11, 1900, when he left and went to live with another stepson, by the name of Stuhr. Shortly after going to Stuhr’s, he (Stuhr) took Huge to a lawyer’s office and had him-make the petition filed in this case. Thereafter, and on March 7., 1901, P. N. Jacobsen was appointed guardian for Huge, on the’ theory that he (Huge) was insane, and on June 10th this guardian was substituted as plaintiff. As the deed recites a consideration in hand paid by the grantee, the plaintiff is in no position to contend that there, is any trust which can be enforced in favor of his ward. If defendant did not pay the consideration agreed upon, whatever that may have been, doubtless plaintiff might recover the sum agreed to be paid. But there is no showing that there is any consideration due, nor is there any claim in the petition that there is anything due. In addition to the recital in the deed of a consideration in fact paid, there is no doubt under the evidence that there was in fact a consideration for the deed. Whether adequate- or not is immaterial, save as such evidence may bear on the other issues in the case. We have referred to this to show' that plaintiff is not entitled to have the conveyance set aside because of want or failure of consideration. Citation of authorities is not needed to support the fundamental principles of law announced. There is no evidence that defendant made any false or fraudulent representations to Huge to induce him to make [374] tbe deed. Indeed, we think the matter of making it was suggested by Huge himself, and that it was largely prompted by feelings of kindness to the defendant for the support and comfort which he (defendant) had given Ruge and his wife before and after the death of the wife. The sole issue remaining is the question of unsoundness of mind. On this issue the evidence for defendant so largely preponderates that we are constrained to disagree with the trial court in its conclusions on that subject. The testimony leaves no doubt in our minds of Ruge’s competency to make the deed. True, he was very deaf, and sometimes had dizzy spells, but there is not a syllable of competent evidence tending to show that the deed was made during one of these spells. Even if the law be as plaintiff contends, that the burden is on defendant to show that the deed Avas not obtained through undue influence, we think he has fairly met that burden, and that plaintiff is not entitled to recover. Defendant offered to furnish Ruge with a home, and Avas in no way responsible for Ruge’s leaving him at the time he did. There is no reason to believe that defendant will not fulfill his promises to care for and support Ruge during the remainder of his life, and we have no occasion now to pass upon the question of remedies in the event he neglects to fulfill his promises. He admits that he promised to support and care for Ruge, and contends that he is able and Avilling to do so at his own home as agreed. This he should do, and if he fails there may be some way to compel him to do so. This, hoAveAer, we do not at this time decide. The decree awarding plaintiff judgment for $750 must be and it is reversed, and the cause is remanded to the district court for one in harmony with this opinion.— REVERSED.