{ "id": 11270441, "name": "JAMES R. WOODRIDGE v. M. C. BROWN, Executor, et al.", "name_abbreviation": "Woodridge v. Brown", "decision_date": "1908-12-02", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "299", "last_page": "304", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "149 N.C. 299" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "136 N. C., 208", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659359 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/136/0208-01" ] }, { "cite": "135 N. C., 542", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8660236 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/135/0542-01" ] }, { "cite": "130 N. C., 268", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11273356 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/130/0268-01" ] }, { "cite": "104 N. C., 582", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8651847 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/104/0582-01" ] }, { "cite": "80 N. C., 4", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8683667 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/80/0004-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 N. C., 323", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8692194 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/78/0323-01" ] }, { "cite": "110 N. C., 29", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11272533 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/110/0029-01" ] }, { "cite": "48 N. C., 107", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2086740 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/48/0107-01" ] }, { "cite": "33 N. C., 166", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11274498 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/33/0166-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 533, "char_count": 10530, "ocr_confidence": 0.426, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.0512281420988187e-07, "percentile": 0.5540344244008049 }, "sha256": "dc3d20bb7ed08c6dec72e0858575a5974e0203bef896b1eb1111030b173b473e", "simhash": "1:bcfaafa1c4d08d8c", "word_count": 1831 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:20:43.519867+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "JAMES R. WOODRIDGE v. M. C. BROWN, Executor, et al." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "CoNNOR, J.,\nafter stating the ease: Plaintiff insists tliat the assignment of error, in respect to the charge, is too indefinite, coming within the definition of a \u201cbroad side exception\u201d -which the Court has uniformly held insufficient. In view of the fact that his Honor instructed the jury to find for the plaintiff upon the whole evidence, we think the exception well taken as to form.\nIt seems that, upon cross-examination of plaintiff\u2019s representative who took the order for the coal, defendants were permitted to show that defendants\u2019 testator'told him that he was buying the coal to burn brick, and that the witness told him that this grade of coal would do so and that it was used for that purpose. Plaintiff objected, but the testimony was'admitted. After the evidence was concluded his Honor struck it out. It was clearly incompetent to show a warranty, because no warranty was alleged in the answer, and for the further reason that, taken as true, it did not show that the quality of the coal was warranted, or that the grade of coal ordered would burn brick. While it is true, as uniformly held, that no specific form of words is necessary to constitute a warranty of soundness, yet there must be evidence that the seller, by some appropriate language, intended to make, and that the buyer understood that a warranty was being given. Again, it is not alleged that there was any fraud or deceit on the part of plaintiff, either in respect to the grade of the coal or its quality; nor did the rejected testimony tend to show any such element in the transaction. We are thus brought to consider the question whether, if alleged and proven,' the fact that plaintiff knew the purpose for which the coal was to be used', entitled the defendant to a reduction in the price by reason of its being of an inferior quality. The exact question was presented and decided by this Court in Dickson v. Jordan, 33 N. C., 166. The defendants, who \u2022 were tbe owners of a ferry, purchased, by order, \u201cseine rope\u201d of' plaintiff, informing them that it was to be used at their fishery. The rope sent was of the size and kind known as \u201cseine rope.\u201d Defendants used it, but it proved to be of an inferior quality, repeatedly broke in drawing the seine and was unfit for use for fishing purposes. Pearson, J., said: \u201cIt is a principle of the common law that no warranty of quality is implied in the sale of goods. Oaveal emptor. In the absence of fraud, if the article be of bad quality, the purchaser lias no redress unless he has taken the precaution to require a warranty.\u201d Further discussing the exceptions, he says: \u201cHis Honor was of the opinion that, in this case, there were two facts which furnished a sufficient ground for making an exception to the general rule. The plaintiffs knew the purpose for which the rope was intended and it ivas not present to be judged by the defendants. One, or both, of these facts might have been a very sufficient reason for requiring a warranty .... But we do not see how they can furnish a ground for the law to imply a warranty in favor of. the defendants, when they neglected to take one for themselves.\u201d The learned Justice notes the further fact that the defendants did not have an opportunity to discover the inferior quality of the rope until they had used it and rejects the argument made by counsel that, from this fact, a warranty would be implied. The facts in that case strikingly illustrate the principle applicable here. The decision has been cited with approval. If the defendants had alleged that a grade of coal different from that contracted for had been sent, the plaintiff would have failed in his action upon an express contract for a stipulated price, and, if the coal had been used by defendant, would have been driven to sue as for a quantum valebat on the \u201ccommon count,\u201d when defendant would have been entitled to show the real value of the coal. Waldo v. Halsey, 48 N. C., 107. In Guano Co. v. Tillery, 110 N. C., 29, the plaintiff contracted to sell defendant \u201cPeruvian Guano.\u201d Defendant, not knowing that the article was not so, used it. The Court held that he was only liable for the actual value of the article sold and used. In Lewis v. Rountree, 78 N. C., 323, defendant sold plaintiff \u201cstrained resin.\u201d It turned out that the resin delivered was not \u201cstrained,\u201d this being a well-known grade of resin in the market. Held, that defendant was liable. When, an article is manufactured for a specific purpose, the law will imply a warranty that it is fit for such purpose. Thomas v. Simpson, 80 N. C., 4. In Love v. Miller, 104 N. C., 582, the contract was to sell cotton to be of \u201caverage grade of low middling,\u201d etc. Held, a warranty that it would come up to the description. In Reiger v. Worth, 130 N. C., 268, the contract was to sell \u201cgood seed rice.\u201d Held, a Avarranty. Critcher v. Porter McNeal Co., 135 N. C., 542; Allen v. Tompkins, 136 N. C., 208. The only defence set up in this case, and the only one which the testimony tended .to shoAv, was that the coal ivas of inferior quality. This can only be guarded against by a Avarranty. His Honor therefore correctly rejected the testimony and instructed the jury. We haAre discussed the defendants7 appeal as if the proper allegations'were made. In no point of vieAV can the exceptions be sustained. We do not pass on plaintiff\u2019s exception to defendants\u2019 withdraAval of their counterclaim. It is not presented. There is\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "CoNNOR, J.," } ], "attorneys": [ "Montgomery & Crowell for plaintiff.", "]j. T. IIarisell and M. B. Sticldey for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "JAMES R. WOODRIDGE v. M. C. BROWN, Executor, et al.\n(Filed 2 December, 1908).\n1. Appeal and Error \u2014 instructions\u2014Verdict, Directing \u2014 Exceptions \u2014Broadside Exceptions.\nA general exception to an instruction for the jury to find for the plaintiff upon the whole evidence is not too indefinite, or defective as a broadside exception.\n2. Pleadings \u2014 Contract\u2014Warranty\u2014Counterclaim\u2014Allegations.\nEvidence tending to show a breach of warranty in a contract for the sale of goods is incompetent when the warranty was not specially pleaded.\n3. Contracts \u2014 Warranty\u2014Evidence.\nThe mere facts that the seller of merchandise knew the purpose for which it was purchased, and, at the time, said that the grade would- do, and used for the purpose intended, does not constitute a warranty.\n4. Same \u2014 Quality of Merchandise.\nIn tlie absence of warranty of tlie grade of merchandise sold and delivered, evidence that tlie merchandise was of inferior quality is inadmissible, though the purchaser could not have ascertained that the quality was inferior except in its use.\n5. Same \u2014 Instructions.\nIt is not error in the trial Judge to instruct tlie jury to find for tlie plaintiff, upon the whole evidence, in an action upon contract for goods sold and delivered, when the only defense set up was by way of counterclaim for breach of warranty, the defendant having failed to allege and prove a breach of warranty.\nActioN tried before Moore, J., and a jury, May Term, 1908, of OabaRiius.\nThis action was originally brought-against R. A. Brown. After the. pleadings were filed, defendant died leaving a last will and testament, and the present defendants, his executors-, were made parties. Plaintiff alleged that, between the 1st day of August and the 9th day of October, 1906, he sold and delivered to defendant\u2019s testator fourteen car loads of coal at a stipulated price, which defendant\u2019s testator promised to pay; that said coal was received and used by defendant\u2019s testator. A statement showing amount, date and price of the shipments was made a part of the complaint. Defendant\u2019s testator admitted the sale and delivery of the coal and the price thereof. lie alleged, by way of defence to plaintiff\u2019s demand, that five car loads of the coal \u201cwere of such inferior quality, and contained so large a per cent, of slate, that, although he made every effort, he could not get the same to burn in such a way as to furnish anything like the necessary amount of heat for this purpose, that of burning brick;\u201d that he did not discover the inferior quality of the coal until he used it; that it was practically worthless for defendant\u2019s purpose; that, by reason of its inferior quality, the bricks burned were soft, and that he was damaged 1o the amount of $500. Plaintiff, by way of reply, denied the matter set up as a defence. The only issue submitted to the jury was: \u201cAre the defendants indebted to the plaintiff and, if so, in wliat sum?\u201d' No warranty of the quality of the coal was alleged, nor was any fraud or concealment charged. Evidence tending to sustain defendant\u2019s contention was admitted over plaintiff\u2019s objection. At the conclusion of the evidence' the record contains this entry: \u201cThe evidence taken to show a warranty of the coal, and likewise the evidence taken to show that the coal was worth less than the contract price and of inferior quality, is refused, and the defendants except. Thereupon the defendants withdraw counterclaim and take a nonsuit as to the same.\u201d Plaintiff excepts. His Honor instructed the jury: \u201cThat the defendants are not entitled to recover any damages from the plaintiff on account of either the Height paid by their testator or the losses which it is alleged that he sustained, on account of the alleged unfitness of the coal for the purpose of burning brick. The defendants do not allege that the plaintiff expressly warranted, the quality of the coal, and the law doe's not imply a warranty of the quality of an article of personal property sold. The defendants having admitted during this trial that their testator ordered the coal, that the contract price was, as stated, in the statement of account annexed to the complaint, that the coal was shipped by the plaintiff to the defendants\u2019 testator, the Court charges you, as a matter of law, that the plaintiff is entitled to recover in this action the contract price of the coal, and it is admitted that the contract price of the coal was $562.00, and that this sum bears interest from the 25th day of September, 1907, if it is due at all. Therefore, the Court charges you to answer the issue, \u2018Are the defendants indebted to plaintiff, and, if so, in what sum?\u2019 \u2018Yes, $562.00, with interest from the 25th day of September, 1906.\u2019 \u201d Defendants excepted. Judgment for plaintiff. Defendants appealed, assigning, as error, refusal to admit competent testimony showing a warranty of the coal and that it was worth less than the contract price, and of inferior quality and value; for errors in the charge of the Court.\nMontgomery & Crowell for plaintiff.\n]j. T. IIarisell and M. B. Sticldey for defendant." }, "file_name": "0299-01", "first_page_order": 333, "last_page_order": 338 }