Cullum v. Dun & Bradstreet, Inc.

Legge, Justice.

Appellant, a dealer in used automobiles, brought this action for damages in the court of common pleas for Greenwood County, alleging that on March 9, 1953, respondent had maliciously libelled him by composing and publishing in writing concerning him a false and defamatory report in the following words: “Owes heavily on the purchase price. Owes Ouzts $8,000.00 on business.” He alleged that the quoted language meant that he owed a large amount of money on the purchase price of his business, and further owed one Clinton R. Ouzts, of Greenwood, $8,000.00 on his business. As…