Van Leyen v. Wreford

Morse, J. The plaintiffs sued Emma Springer and William Wreford jointly in an action of assumpsit in the Wayne circuit court, and the following bill of particulars was filed in the cause: “Sir: You will please take notice that the following constitutes the plaintiffs’ bill of particulars in the above-entitled cause: 1887. Oct. 31. Drawings and specifications for appartment building ‘Utopia,’ situated on the corner of Bagley Ave. and Clifford St. [607] 'Total cost §35,000, as per agreement, 2-J- per cent-----5875 00 By cash...........................-.................. 250 00 Balance_____________________________________________ 625 00 To interest from October 21, 1887, to date. “Griffin, Warner, Hunt & Berry, “ Attorneys for Plaintiffs. “ To Oscar M. Springer, “ Attorney for Defendants.” The evidence on the part of the plaintiffs showed that Oscar M. Springer, the husband of the defendant Emma Springer, and son-in-law of the defendant William Wreford, came to them and wanted them to draw some plans and specifications for an apartment building to be erected at the corner of Bagley avenue and Clifford street, in the city of Detroit. Plaintiffs drew a rough sketch, as nearly as possible in accordance with Springer’s directions, and. on the face of the sketch they wrote the words “Springer and Wreford.” Mr. Springer on receiving the sketch told them he did not want Wreford’s name thereon, as Wreford did not wish to have his name appear in the matter. Springer went with one of the plaintiffs, Mr. Yan Leyen, up to the place where the building was to be •erected, and pointed out to him the portion of the ground that Wreford owned, and said that he (Springer) con. trolled the remainder. Yan Leyen understood that Springer was not responsible, but supposed that he represented the owners of the land, to wit, his wife, Emma .Springer, and father-in-law, William Wreford. The plaintiffs drew the plans and specifications of the building for Mr. Springer. Springer agreed to pay 2£ per cent, to plaintiffs upon the cost of the construction ■of the building for these plans and specifications. The cost of the building, as completed, was $26,742.98, without the mantel and apparatus for electric lighting. With these it was $28,024.98. Two and a half per cent, on the first sum would be $668.57, and on the last $700.62. It [608] was admitted that Mr. Springer had paid by his own check $250. Mr. Springer refused to pay any more, on the ground that the plans had been of damage to the building. After Mrs. Springer had testified that she had nothing to do with the erection of this building, and that the •same was built by Springer and her father, the plaintiffs discontinued, claiming to have the right to do so under circuit court rule No. 71, against Mrs. Springer, and proceeded against Wreford alone, recovering verdict and judgment of $300. This judgment cannot be sustained. The whole theory of the plaintiffs upon the trial, and the whole evidence on both sides, tended to show that this apartment building was built jointly by Wreford and Springer or Wreford and Mrs. Springer. There was no evidence in the case by which Mr. Wreford could be held as he was for the whole amount of the balance due upon plaintiffs* contract with Springer. The evidence is also uncontradicted that Wreford owns only half of the building,— that portion which stands upon his land, — and never owned any more of it. He never made any contract with plaintiffs except through Springer, and Springer claimed to he acting for himself and Wreford jointly, as shown by plaintiffs’ own testimony. Neither of the plaintiffs ever had any talk with Wreford until after the work was done, and Springer refused to pay more than the $250. Mr. Van Leyen testifies that he then went to see Mr. Wreford, and told him he could get no settlement with Springer, and asked him when they could get a settlement. Wreford replied that Springer was doing his business, and he had got him into it, and he would have to get him out of it; to go and see Springer. Taking this at the utmost that can be claimed for it, he only recognized Springer as his agent in the transao [609] tion, and made no promise of his own to pay for the work. He only ratified, at best, what Springer had done, and Springer’s contract with plaintiffs was a joint one, according to plaintiffs’ testimony. The work was to be done by plaintiffs for Springer and Wreford, and Springer and Wreford were to pay for it, not Wreford alone. When this suit was discontinued as against Mrs. Springer, the defendant Wreford was entitled to a verdict, as requested by him. The obligation sued upon was a joint one, and could not be made several, as the plaintiffs’ own showing and all the facts negatived any liability but a joint one. The judgment must be reversed, and a new trial granted, with costs of both courts to defendant. The other Justices concurred.