Larson v. Becker , 47 S.D. 477 ( 1924 )

GATES, J.

By an agreement in writing defendant ag'reed to deliver to plaintiffs a stock of hardware, etc., at Avon, S. D., of the stipulated inventory value of $24,857. Therefor plaintiffs agreed to convey to defendant an incumbered half section of land in which plaintiffs had a stipulated equity of $10,600; to- pay defendant $2,000 in cash, which they did; and to give defendant their four promissory notes aggregating $10,400. At the appointed time plaintiffs tendered performance of the things by them to be performed. Defendants refused performance. This action was brought to enforce specific performance of the contract. The trial court found for plaintiffs and adjudged that defendant pay to the clerk of court $24,857, and that plaintiffs deposit with the clerk a deed to thé land with abstract of title and the above-mentioned promissory notes to be delivered to defendant upon payment of the judgment. Defendant appeals from the judgment and from an order denying new trial.

Appellant urges that the action was essentially one at law and that the court erred in overruling his demand for a jury trial. The trial was had by the court without a jury pursuant to a stipulation that the “action may and shall be tried before and by the Hon. L. L. Fleeger, one of the judges,” etc. Appellant was thereby precluded from demanding a jury trial even if he would otherwise have been entitled thereto.

Appellant contends that a compliance with the contract would have been in violation of the Bulk Sales Law, §§ 914-921, Rev. Code 1919. The due date of the -contract was five days after its execution while said section 9x4 requires a seven days’ notice to creditors before a purchaser of a stock of merchandise is justified in paying over the purchase price. The Bulk Sales Law was enacted''for the protection of the creditors of the owner of the stock of merchandise about to be transferred. It was not intended to be used as a shield by this appellant in' justification of his refusal to carry out his contract and did not prevent the trial court from enforcing it. No one can take advantage of his own wrong. Rev. Code 1919, § 49.

Appellant contends that the contract was indefinite as to subject-matter and therefore not capable of specific enforcement. The contract called for a delivery to respondents 'of a stock of hardware, harness, paints, fixtures and tools in Avon, S. D., of the inventory value of $24,857. The evidence on the part of respondents tended to show that the stock in contemplation was a particular stock then owned by a third ■ person for which appellant had a contract • of purchase, while the evidence on the part of appellant tended to show that no particular stock was contemplated but that a stock was to be made up by him. The trial court evidently believed the testimony on behalf of respondents.

Appellant makes three further contentions which 1 elate to each other and may be .considered together, viz: (1) That a court of equity will not enforce specific performance of a contract to transfer personal property; (2) that respondents’ remedy was an action at law for damages; and (3) that specific performance cannot be had because the contract calls for an exchange of properties as distinguished from a contract of purchase and sale.

We think it unimportant whether, the contract was one of sale or one of exchange. Specific performance of either is maintainable, the statutory requirements existing. Sturtz v. Ommen, 32 S. D. 396, 143 N W. 288; Mundy v. Irwin, 20 N. M. 43, 145 Pac. 1080, Ann. Cas. 1918D, 713. ‘If the situation had been reversed and respondents had refused to perform their part of the contract, there can be no doubt but that appellant could have maintained specific performance of their contract to convey the land. If the appellant had contracted to pay money for the land instead of paying in merchandise then there can be no doubt but that respondents could have maintained specific performance. The fact that appellant promised to pay in merchandise instead of in money did not deprive respondents of their remedy by specific performance. Southern Iron & E. Co. v. Vaughan, 201 Ala. 356, 78 South, 212, L. R. A. 1918E, 613.

No error appearing in the record, the judgment and order appealed from are affirmed.

Note. — Reported in 199 N. W. 470. See, Headnote (1), American Key-Numbered Digest, Jury, Key-No. 28(5), 35 C. J. Sec. 113; (2) Fraudulent conveyances, Key-No. 172(2), 27 C. J. Sec. 893; (3) Specific performance, Key-No. 20(1), 36 Cyc. 595 (1925 Anno.), Pomeroy’s Equity Jurisprudence, 2d Ed., Sec. 2186; (4) Specific performance, Key-No. 69, 36 Cyc. 553 (1925 Anno.).

On statutory requirements on sale of stock of goods in bulk, see note in 2 L. R. A. (N. S.) 3 31-.

On ■ necessity of notice to creditors under Bulk Sales Law, see note in L. R. A. 1917F, 230.

On constitutionality of bulk sales legislation, see notes in 2 L. R. A. (N. S.) 331; 20 L. R. A. (N. S.) 160, L. R. A. 1915E, 917.-