Gooden v. Modern Woodmen of America

In 1898 the defendant issued to William Gooden a benefit certificate of insurance for $1000 payable at his death, if in good standing, to his mother Emily Gooden. He died April 16, 1914. Defendant refused to pay and plaintiff brought this' suit.- She recovered judgment in the trial court.

The defense is, first, that Gooden was suspended for nonpayment of assessments for the months of January, February and March, 1914, and non-payment of dues payable March 31, 1914; second, that Gooden had abandoned the policy as evidenced by a letter which defendant claims Gooden wrote to it in December, 1913.

T…