Downing v. . Dickson

In Powers v. Murray, 185 N. C., 336, at p. 338, 117 S. E., 161, it is written: “If tbe original (instrument) cannot be produced and it becomes necessary to offer secondary evidence of its contents, sucb contents, including of course its legal operation, must be established by tbe testimony of one wbo bas ‘first-band knowledge on tbe subject’; for hearsay based upon statements made by third parties is not deemed sufficient to impart competent and correct information of tbe matter in dispute. Propst v. Mathis, 115 N. C., 527. This ‘firsthand knowledge’ does not necessarily imply testimony of…