Kenneth L. Debow and Patricia Debow V‪.‬

This suit was instituted in Dallas County and was removed by change of venue to Laclede County. Appellants (herein referred to as plaintiffs) sought judgment in the trial court for actual damages of $15,000 and punitive damages of $50,000 arising out of alleged fraudulent misrepresentations of respondent (herein referred to as defendant) in the sale of a motel and gasoline service station. During and after the trial plaintiffs unsuccessfully sought to amend the prayer of their petition to conform to the alleged proof of actual damages of $18,600. The case was tried by the court without a jury and judgment was entered in favor of plaintiffs in the sum of $3,000. Plaintiffs after having unsuccessfully sought to have the findings of fact, Conclusions of law and judgment amended to award plaintiffs actual damages in the amount of $18,600 and punitive damages in the amount of $50,000, or for a new trial on damages alone, have appealed to this court on the ground that the trial court erred in awarding only $3,000 actual damages and in refusing an award of punitive damages. Since the difference in the amount prayed for and the recovery exceeds $15,000, this court has jurisdiction. Jack L. Baker Companies, Inc. v. Pasley Manufacturing and Distributing Company, Mo., 413 S.W.2d 268, 270; Glore v. Bone, Mo. 324 S.W.2d 633, 634.