Menasha Wooden Ware Co. v. Michelstetter

Dodge, T. We could not doubt abuse of discretion in relieving defendants from the probable results of such complete and protracted neglect as the record discloses, unless the trial court was convinced that their inaction was, as claimed, induced by plaintiff’s assurance that it would take no further step in the pending action without notice to defendants; we must therefore indulge the presumption that the court did so find, unless, indeed, the evidence so clearly and overwhelmingly preponderates against that conclusion of fact as to require reversal of an express finding thereon under the familiar rules governing review of trial courts upon questions of fact. The evidence in support of the existence of such a promise or agreement consists of the direct testimony of the defendant Michelstetter; the very inaction complained of whereby defendants for nearly a year subjected themselves to ■daily peril of the entry of a judgment very much greater than the amount at which they knew they could settle; the forbearance by plaintiff for a like period to exercise its right to take judgment and collect its money, absolute if no such promise had been made; and also the conduct of plaintiff both before and after the judgment during some two years in dealing with •one of the defendants and paying to him considerable sums of 429 money, when, in absence of some understanding to tbe contrary, bis duty to pay plaintiff some $2,000 was absolute and. instant. On tbe other band is tbe direct denial by Obarles R. Smith of tbe making of such promise, and tbe practically direct testimony of Mr. Hilton that none was made at tbe time and place specified by Michelstetter, and that tbe parties atthat time separated with tbe fact expressly declared by Mr. ITilton, in presence of both and not contradicted, that unless, defense were made within three or four days plaintiff would' have right to enter up judgment. While this evidence might adequately have warranted tbe contrary, we cannot say that-tbe conclusion reached by tbe trial court is without evidence-in its support, or that such evidence is so overwhelmingly rebutted and overcome as to justify this court, on appeal, in setting that conclusion aside. If such promise was made, we-cannot say that tbe trial court abused its discretion in relieving from tbe default. On tbe question of terms, it was tbe duty of tbe trial court to make such imposition as would reimburse plaintiff such expenses incurred in taking tbe default judgment as would be-rendered futile upon its vacation, together with reasonable' motion costs. Bloor v. Smith, 112 Wis. 340, 87 N. W. 870. "Whether tbe $25 imposed in addition to taxed disbursements-, was sufficient to that end was much more fully within cognizance of tbe trial court than of this, since tbe affidavits contain no information what expenses were incurred in making-tbe necessary proofs and for tbe professional services involved' in entering up tbe default judgment. We cannot, on tbe record before us, convict tbe trial court of error in this respect. By the Court. — Order appealed frornys affirmed.