Saxon v. Parson

• Decision Date: 20 October 1921
• Docket Number: 7 Div. 205
• Citation: 90 So. 904,206 Ala. 491
• Parties: SAXON v. PARSON.
• Court: Alabama Supreme Court

90 So. 904

206 Ala. 491

SAXON v. PARSON.

7 Div. 205

Supreme Court of Alabama

October 20, 1921

Appeal from Circuit Court, Clay County; W.L. Longshore, Judge.

Bill by W.F. Saxon against G.B. Parson to enjoin the violation of a contract. From a decree dissolving temporary injunction complainant appeals. Reversed and remanded.

Lackey Pruet & Glass, of Ashland, for appellant.

McKay &amp Crumpton, of Ashland, for appellee.

McCLELLAN J.

This is an appeal from an order dissolving a temporary injunction, issued on a bill filed by appellant against appellee to restrain appellee from violating the obligation of a contract whereby appellant purchased of appellee his "taxicab business," cars, and "good will" as defined in the writing. The report of the appeal contains the contract. The submission, on motion to dissolve, was on "bill, sworn answer of respondent, affidavits introduced by complainant [[appellant], and oral testimony of respondent."

For the appellee it is contended that the omission to provide a note of testimony (Chancery Rule 77; Civ.Code, p. 1552) on the hearing of the motion to dissolve operates to debar appellant from consideration or relief on this appeal. Just the converse is true, if chancery rule 77 is applicable. See Jackson v. Hooper, 107 Ala. 634, 640, 18 So. 254. The appellee was the movant, the actor; and, if the omission to provide a note of testimony was essential, the order of dissolution was erroneously entered (Watson v. Kirkland, 204 Ala. 655, 87 So. 93), being, in that event, unjustified by any so noted supporting matter not even the answer upon which appellee relies (Goodloe v. Dean, 81 Ala. 479, 480, 8 So. 197). Regardless, however, of that matter, the order dissolving the injunction was, in our opinion, erroneously entered. Code, § 4535, governing hearing on motion to dissolve injunction, changed the rule which accorded a measure, at least, of concluding effect to the full denials of a sworn answer, and, while giving to such an answer an effect as evidence, constituted the issue on hearing of motion to dissolve one of fact mainly, if the bill possesses equity. Nelson v. Hammonds, 173 Ala. 14, 19, 20, 55 So. 301; Lynne v. Ralph, 201 Ala. 535, 78 So. 889.

The particular provision of the contract the breach of which is sought to be prevented through this bill for injunction--an appropriate remedy in proper cases (Harris v Theus, 149 Ala. 133, 43 So. 131, 10 L.R.A. [ N.S.] 204, 123 Am.St.Rep. 17, among others)--is that stipulating against appellee's operation or having operated a car or cars for hire in Ashland for 12 months from the 1st day of December, 1920. The bill avers a breach or breaches by appellee of this engagement. The effect of the indicated feature of the contract is unmistakable. The last...