Westenberg v. Bhend

The following opinion was filed November 16, 1920: Kerw'iñ, J. In granting the motion for á -new trial the court used the following language':.. “I am of the' opinion and hold that- the verdict should be set aside and-' á new trial granted becáüsé the answérs of the jury to the first and second questions are inconsistent with the answer to the sixth question.” [139] It will be seen from the foregoing that the court did not base the order for a new trial on the exercise of that general discretion which the trial court has on the subject, but solely upon the ground that the special verdict was inconsistent. If this was a mistaken conclusion the order should be reversed,’ because it cannot be sustained on the ground that it was an exercise of the court’s discretion. Miller v. Casco, 116 Wis. 510, 93 N. W. 447; Mullen v. Reinig, 68 Wis. 408, 32 N. W. 293. The simple question presented, therefore, ..upon defendant’s appeal is whether the verdict is in fact inconsistent, and, if not, whether the defendant should have had judgment on the verdict. In'.the issues formed in the consolidated action the defendant had two clairtls or causes of action against the plaintiff; one for.damages for. breach of promise of marriage, and another to recover upon a $3,500 note given in settlement of the breach-of-promise cause of action. These issues were litigated in the case. It was admitted that the plaintiff, Charles Westenberg, promised to marry the defendant, Ella Bhend, and the other issues, namely, that plaintiff, Charles .Westenberg, broke his promise to marry defendant, and that she sustained $1,500 damages in consequence thereof, that defendant did not' break .her promise to marry, plaintiff, Charles Westenberg, and that the $3,500 note was not given under duress, are' well supported' by the evidence and constitute the particular facts which show a consideration "for the noté given', when taken in connection with the other undisputed facts in the case. "' The' consideration for the note, therefore, being estab- ' jished by. facts ■going to show consideration, the finding of thé jury in' the sixth' answer was simply a finding of a conclusion Of law" and was'a question for the court, arid should either have been changed or disregarded, since the ' finding of' facts, admission of the partiés, and" undisputed facts constitute a verily on "the question of consideration for the note. Robinson v. Washburn, 81 Wis. 404, 51 N. W. 578. Moreover, in the case at bar there is practically no [140] evidence' to support the conclusion in the answer to the Sixth question of the special verdict, and even if the answers were inconsistent the unsupported answer should be disregarded. Welch v. Dunning, 163 Wis. 535, 158 N. W. 323. In'view of the .fact that it is. admitted a promise .of marriage was made and the great weight of the evidence'showing that the promise was breached, arid, there being' practically no evidence of want of consideration, the answer, to. the sixth question should have'been changed by the court or disregarded. It being established ¡that a cáuse. of action existed for breach of' promise which resulted.in damages to the defendant, the case was a proper one for settlement, and the settlement of such claim was sufficient consideration for the note. . " ' ’ ' 1 . ’ Some question is. made by counsel for plaintiff to. the effect that .the settlement resulting in giving the $3,500 note was obtained by duress and ..that the note, was without consideration. A bona fide settlement pf the., matter in dispute in, this case, furnished a valid consideration ,for .the note given;, 'This doctrine is well settled", in 'this court. Kercheval v. Doty, 31 Wis. 476; Kowalke v. Milwaukee E. R. & L. Co. 103 Wis. 472, 79 N. W. 762; Galusha v. Sherman, 105 Wis. 263, 81 N. W. 495. The jury found against dúre.ss in' this', case, arid .the evidence established, without substantial" dispute that'the "settlement was riiade.'arid the note given "in compliance with said settlerrieht in satisfaction of the damages. ....... . . We are therefore .satisfied thathupórí .ariy'theory ■o'f.. the case the "court below was i'n error .in ordering anew trial,” and that upon the verdict returned arid the'evidence the'defend.ant, Ella B fiend,,' wá.s. entitled to judgment’upon the. note given.. ; """ , By the Cpiiri&wkey;The order granting a,new tr'ial.'i'hreversed Oif 'the''defendants appeal, and"the cause,réthándéd ".with ..directions "to,, the.court' 'Below! to. ..change the'answer' to 4he sixth question from No to Yes and award judgment’ taffhe [141] defendant, Ella Bhend, for the amount of the note. The plaintiff, Charles Westenberg, takes nothing upon his appeal. A motion for a rehearing was denied, with $25 costs, on January 11, 1921. .