Shoop v. Baker

Wood, J. (after stating the facts). The undisputed testimony shows that the cohtract between the appellee and the appellant for the loan of the $75 was evidenced by a promissory note, which was not due at the time the suit was instituted. There is no account between appellee and appellant for this note. The account was merged into the note, and the note must stand as the sole and only evidence of the contract between the parties. The undisputed proof shows that at the time of the institution of this suit the note was not due. Hence, the suit was premature, and this action can not be maintained. It will be a question of fact for the jury in a suit upon the note to determine whether or not appellant was induced by fraud perpetrated upon him to sign the note. That might be grounds for cancellation of the note in a suit in equity for that purpose, or in a suit at law upon the note appellant might set up such fraud as a defense, but such fraud would not justify appellee, the payee of the note, in setting up hté own fraud as a reason why he should repudiate the note and sue the appellant upon open account. If appellant is liable at all, he is liable upon the note, which, as we have seen, is the only written evidence of the contract between appellant and appellee for the loan of the money. The instruction was erroneous and presented the case to the jury upon an erroneous theory. The judgment is therefore reversed and the cause dismissed. Humphreys, J., not participating.