Gilmore v. American Central Insurance Co. of St. Louis

Belcher, C. C. This is the second appeal in this case. Upon the first appeal it ivas held that the judgment was prematurely entered, and it was therefore reversed.

That judgment was entered upon the stipulation which is recited in the opinion of the court (65 Cal. 63), and the judg-. ment now appealed from was entered upon the same stipulation.,

It is now claimed that the stipulation had become functus officio and did not authorize the entry. ¡

It appears that the Lycoming Case referred to in the stipulation, and this case, had been commenced upon fire insurance policies which were issued by the defendant companies upon the same property and were substantially alike. . Demurrers had been interposed to the complaints and overruled and answers [367]filed. The cases were called for trial on the same day, and thereupon “both parties consenting in open court that the issues in this cause are identical with those of the other action,” the stipulation was made and entered in the minutes of the court.

By the stipulation it was agreed that “ all proceedings herein shall be stayed until final judgment and decision” in the Lycoming Case, “and in case of an appeal in said last-named action then such proceedings are stayed until the final determination of such appeal; and upon such final determination, judgment, and decision ” of the Lycoming Case, “ either party, without notice, shall and may cause to be entered a judgment in this action corresponding to and like the said final judgment.”

The Lycoming Case was then tried and judgment rendered in favor of the plaintiff.

An appeal from that judgment was taken, and it was reversed upon the ground that the demurrer to the complaint should have been sustained, because a copy of the policy being attached to the complaint, the application therefor which was referred to and made a part of the policy was neither set forth in the complaint nor its contents alleged. (Gilmore v. Lycoming Fire Insurance Company, 55 Cal. 123.)

On the going down of the remittitur the plaintiff amended her complaint by attaching thereto a copy of her application for the policy. The defendant amended its answer, but no substantial change was made in the issues to be tried. The case was then tried and judgment was again rendered in favor of the plaintiff. After that judgment had become final the defendant moved the court to change its rulings upon the demurrer in this case, and the motion was set down for hearing at a future day. Before the day arrived the plaintiff without notice moved the court for judgment in pursuance of the stipulation, and her motion was granted. The appeal here is from that judgment and an order refusing to set it aside.