Morris v. Sparrow
Arkansas Supreme Court
287 S.W.2d 583 (1956)
Archie Sparrow (plaintiff), an experienced horse trainer, agreed to work Morris's (defendant) Arkansas cattle ranch while Morris was away, for $400 plus a horse named Keno as additional pay if the work was satisfactory; Sparrow trained the previously almost-unbroken Keno into a quality roping horse needing only minimal further training. When Morris returned, he paid the $400 but refused to hand over Keno, claiming the work was unsatisfactory, and Sparrow sued in Chancery Court for specific performance; the court ordered Morris to deliver Keno.
Whether a court will grant specific performance to enforce a contract for the sale of chattels where the injured party demonstrates that special circumstances exist making it impossible for that party to recover damages in an action at law.