Notti v. Clark
| Decision Date | 27 February 1958 |
| Docket Number | No. 9545,9545 |
| Citation | 322 P.2d 112,133 Mont. 263 |
| Parties | John NOTTI, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. Louis CLARK and Emma Clark, Defendants and Appellants. |
| Court | Montana Supreme Court |
Ralph J. Anderson and Stanley P. Sorenson, Helena, for appellant. Ralph J. Anderson, argued orally.
Edmond G. Toomey and Michael J. Hughes, Helena, for respondent. Michael J. Hughes, argued orally.
This is an appeal by the defendants from a judgment of the district court of Lewis and Clark County, in an action on a promissory note for $1,000, which judgment was for the full amount of the note with interest from January 1, 1951, plus attorney's fees and court costs.
In 1950 the plaintiff Notti was operating the Bison Bar in Helena while in the process of buying it from Charles and Antonia Fabatz. On January 1, 1951, arrangements were completed for the purchase of Notti's interest by the defendant, Louis Clark, and one Kenneth Gough. The purchase price was $7,000 to be paid $2,000 down and $5,000 in monthly payments. Gough paid his half of the $2,000 down payment in a manner satisfactory to Notti, and Clerk gave Notti his promissory note (the one here sued on) for $1,000 in payment of his half. The execution and delivery of all other necessary legal papers thereupon completed the transaction, the delivery of possession of the premises and stock to Clerk and Gough having occurred two weeks previously on December 15, 1950.
Shortly afterwards, March 19, 1951, the business met with disaster in the form of a fifteen-day suspension order by the Montana Liquor Control Board. The evidence is clear that following this event the defendant Clark and Gough were unable or unwilling to continue the enterprise. The plaintiff resumed possession. All legal papers affecting the tavern were signed back to Notti, and defendant Cark and Gough were relieved of the balance of the $5,000 obligation. The evidence is in sharp conflict, with substantial evidence both ways, as to whether or not Notti also agreed to relieve the defendant Clark of his individual obligation on the $1,000 down payment note.
The appellant Clark has assigned numerous specifications of error, but his main contentions seem to be that Notti's sworn testimony was not worthy of belief, and that the consideration for the promissory note had failed.
In his verified pleadings Notti alleged the stock of goods in the tavern was of the reasonable value of $2,000; in his sworn testimony he valued it at $2,500; and in a bill of sale verified under the Montana bulk sales act, Notti stated, 'The correct sale price: $1,000.00.' While this circumstance raised a question as to the true...
To continue reading
Request your trial
-
Ballenger v. Tillman
...555; Wieri v. Anaconda Copper Min. Co., 116 Mont. 524, 156 P.2d 838; Giarratana v. Naddy, 129 Mont. 154, 160, 284 P.2d 254.' Notti v. Clark, Mont., 322 P.2d 112, 113. As to the second issue, it is clear that there was insufficient evidence to sustain any judgment against Mrs. Tillman. Upon ......
-
Voyta v. Clonts
...was for determination by the trial court. Its findings here are supported by substantial evidence and should not be disturbed. Notti v. Clark, Mont., 322 P.2d 112, and cases cited For the foregoing reason the judgment is affirmed. CASTLES and ANGSTMAN, JJ., and W. M. BLACK, District Judge, ......
-
Eliason v. Eliason, 11386
...and the weight to be given their testimony is a matter for the district court's determination in a non-jury case (Notti v. Clark, 133 Mont. 263, 322 P.2d 112; Ballenger v. Tillman, 133 Mont. 369, 324 P.2d 1045) and the Supreme Court will sustain such determination by the trial court based o......
-
Hanlon v. Anderson, 12264
... ... Eliason v. Eliason, 151 Mont. 409, 443 P.2d 884; Ballenger v. Tillman, 133 Mont. 369, 324 P.2d 1045; Notti v ... Clark, 133 Mont. 263 P.2d 112. This Court on appeal must abide by the trial court's determination of the credibility of the witnesses and ... ...