Kirch v. Wattell

THE COURT

[1]

In this action a decree was entered agreeable to the prayer of the complaint requiring specific performance of the agreement made between defendant Wattell and the plaintiff. In the decree it was further determined that a deed made by Wattell-to his codefendant was void' as to the plaintiff. The cause of action grew out of a transaction had wherein plaintiff sold to Wattell the furniture, furnishings, and her leasehold interest in a certain lodging-house located in the city of Los Angeles. The agreement was ex

[502]

pressed in part in a memorandum made at the time and signed by both parties, and in part 'by certain escrow instructions, given to a trustee selected by the parties. Counsel for appellants in insisting that there was no mutuality such as would entitle the plaintiff to the remedy which she obtained in this action, refers only to the memorandum first made, which is only in part expressive of the admitted agreement intended to-be entered into. In order to arrive at the full purpose of' the contracting parties, the escrow instructions constituted a. necessary part of the contract. The lodging-house sold by-plaintiff to Wattell was furnished and the agreed price was $3,750 for the furnishings, furniture, and leasehold interest. Wattell agreed first to pay the sum of one thousand two hundred dollars on or before the twenty-sixth day of December, 1914, -and agreed to execute a chattel mortgage on the furniture for $2,550, which should be payable in certain parts per month, with interest stated. It was provided that an extension of time might be given in certain contingencies. As further-security that he would comply with the terms of the agreement, Wattell was to deposit a deed with the trustee, transferring title to a lot in the city of Los Angeles to the plaintiff, which deed was to be held by the trustee until default was made by Wattell, whereupon it was to deliver it to the-plaintiff. It was stated in the agreement that upon default of Wattell to fulfill his obligations under the contract the deed, was to be delivered to the plaintiff, and the contract recited that “the second party (Wattell) agrees to forfeit above-named property as liquidated damages.” An extension of time was given on the contract, but defendant failed to make-file payments to the plaintiff as required; whereupon this action was brought. We think that specific performance was the appropriate remedy and that plaintiff was not required to resort to an action for damages as her only means of obtaining satisfaction of the obligations assumed by the defendant.