Latta v. Olson & Longman
Latta v. Olson & Longman
Opinion of the Court
For some years prior to the date of the attachment, Olson & Longman had been engaged in the automobile business at Logan, Iowa. Olson took charge of the mechanical and repair department, and Longman took care of the “front end.” The firm was organized without capital. The business of the firm consisted of buying and selling automobiles and making automobile repairs. By agreement, each partner drew out $50 a month for living expenses. Shortly before the date of the attachment, the firm sold out the repair department. It was thereupon agreed between the members that Olson’s compensation from the firm should cease, and that he should go to Omaha, to seek other work. As to Longman, it was agreed, according to his testimony, “that I was to stay at Logan, and conduct the business until I could dispose of it.” It was also agreed that his monthly compensation was to be continued. No formal dissolution of the firm was attempted at that or any later time. The firm owed, at that time, $2,000 or $3,000 at the bank for borrowed money, and $1,100 to the plaintiff, being money advanced in the purchase of an automobile, which was not delivered. Assets of substantial value were owned by the firm, and contained in its place of business. On the date of the attachment, this place of business contained automobile accessories to the value of $1,200 or $1,300, which are conceded to have been the property of the firm. It contained, also, a new Chalmers au
The Chalmers car was purchased a few days before the levy. The firm had a Chalmers agency, and had had the same for some time. In settlement for the car, Longman gave a check for $300 and a note for $830. He, in company with Olson, drove the car from Omaha to Logan, and placed the same in the firm’s place of business. The firm had a dealer’s iicense. Longman attached to the car the firm’s dealer’s number. Such dealer’s number continued upon the car up to the time of the attachment. As against these circumstances, Longman ■ testified that he paid for the car with his own check for $300 on the intervener bank, and with his own note for $830. This testimony was severely shaken by other circumstances. Longman had no in
It is urged in argument that the only business that Longman had to do for the firm was to sell out the stock on hand, and not to. buy, and that Longman was, therefore, justifiably preparing to go into business on his own account. But he testified that:
“It was agreed that I was to stay at Logan and conduct the business until I could dispose of it.”
- Manifestly, a going business might be disposed of to better advantage than to reduce the stock to a lo.w point, and to lose the remnant. He was, in fact, buying supplies in the firm name up to within a few days prior to the attachment. Still more significant was the fact that, on July 19th, he had enlisted in the military service. This course had been in contemplation by him for some time, and it had been arranged between him and Olson that, in such event, Olson was to return to Logan, to close up the business. We do not overlook the fact that, at the time the Chalmers car was purchased, Longman claims to have taken out a new agency for himself alone. No corroboration is offered of this evidence by the production of documents. Upon the record as a whole, we reach the conclu
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.