Tilbert v. Eagle Lock Co.

Eagle Lock (defendant) issued employee Tilbert a 'Certificate of Benefit' promising his beneficiary $1,000 if he remained employed more than five years and was still employed at his death, while a companion letter stated the certificate conferred no legal right and could be terminated by Eagle Lock at any time; Tilbert remained employed for over seven years until his death at 2 a.m. on August 28, 1931, and later that same day — after his death — Eagle Lock's termination notice arrived in his pay envelope. His widow and beneficiary Annie Tilbert (plaintiff) demanded the $1,000 payment, Eagle Lock refused and demurred to her suit.