McDonald v. Clough
McDonald v. Clough
Opinion of the Court
This cause was originally begun before a justice of the peace. Therefore, upon the retrial on appeal in the county court, there were no written pleadings.
The instruction discussed under the first assignment of error nowhere appears in the record before us; nor is there in the record an objection or exception on the part of appellant to any instruction given for appellees. Either of these considerations would absolutely forbid our further noticing this assignment.
The county court committed no error in refusing the instruction asked by appellant, who was one of the defendants below. This instruction wholly ignores the question of a partnership between McDonald and Atkin
The existence of the defendant copartnership when the account sued on accrued is involved in considerable doubt. Had the jury found differently upon this question, we would not disturb their verdict, but there is a good deal of proof to support their finding. The testimony of five witnesses tends to sustain plaintiffs’ theory in relation thereto. Defendant McDonald denies the partnership, but defendant Atkinson, who was one of the five witnesses mentioned sworn for plaintiffs, directly contradicts the testimony of McDonald in this particular. If the written dissolution of March 18th, offered in evidence, referred to the defendant firm, it would probably be decisive. It would show that, prior to that date, such a partnership existed, and that it then terminated. But the firm sued is “Atkinson & McDonald.” The firm spoken of in the dissolution agreement is “R. P. McDonald & Co.” Atkinson testifies that the latter partnership was engaged in brick laying, while the former was entered into for the purpose of brick making, and that another copartnership “writing” was drawn and executed when the firm of Atkinson & McDonald was formed, which writing was left with a Mr. King, who drew it. Since the proofs upon this issue are conflicting, and since it is the peculiar province of the jury to pass upon the credibility of witnesses, and resolve conflicts in testimony,
The remaining assignment discussed relates to the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the judgment. Plaintiffs committed a serious oversight in xxot producixig* their books, and proving the accouxit therefroxn, or offering ixi evidexxce the copy of the account identified by Atkinson; but we are of opixxion that, under all the circumstances disclosed by the record before us, this mistake should not be held fatal. An itemized bill or copy of the account was shown to defexidarxt Atkinson while giving-his testimony. He examixxed the same, and repeatedly said he believed it to be correct. He also testified (still looking at the bill) that the indebtedness as represented thereby was $196.55. Here was a clear and positive admissioxi by oxxe of the defendant copartners that the different entries constituting the entire account wex-e correct, axxd that the total demand of $195.55 was just. By this axxd other testimony the jury were ixxformed that plaintiffs had sold and delivered to defendants a quaxitity of xneat that had xxot beexr paid for; that the just and reasonable value of this xneat was $195.55, which amount was due the plaintiffs. Por this sum the vexdict was returned and the judgment exxtered.
While McDoxiald, the oixly appellant, denies his individual liability in the action at bar, he in no way controverts or challenges the correctness of the account itself, or the amouxxt claimed. He simply treats it as a personal obligation of Atkinson with which he has nothing to do. We are not advised by the record that the copartnership of Atkinson and McDonald had been dissolved prior to the trial in the comity court; but, were such dissolution axi admitted fact, there is much and weighty authority to sustain the reception in evidence, against McDonald, of Atkinson’s declarations and admissions upon the witness stand concerning the correctness of the account;
We shall decline to hold that the verdict was not warranted by the evidence. As counsel contend, the proofs point strongly to the conclusion that plaintiffs did not know of the partnership when they sold the meat and gave the credit. But, if such were the fact, it would not prevent a recovery against McDonald. A secret or unknown partner is held liable for debts incurred in the partnership business, because, while he adds no credit to the firm, he shares in the advantage secured through its existence. Pars. Partn. (2d ed.) 32.
The judgment is affirmed. Affirmed.
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