Williamson v. Succession of Scott
Williamson v. Succession of Scott
Opinion of the Court
This suit was brought against Letha L. Scott, personally and as tutrix of her minor children and survivor in community and as such administering the estate of her late husband, George A. Scott, for an accounting and for the settlement of a partnership of which her late husband was one of the parties.
Eor the decision of defendant’s exception it is admitted that James W. Williamson and W. B. Aycock, the petitioners, and the deceased, George A. Scott, formed a partnership in October, 1898, for the purpose of conducting a naval store and turpentine business in the county of Marion, state of Mississippi, under the firm name of Scott, Aycock & Williamson; the interest of each being one-third.
The partnership had timber for turpentine purposes and a still, tools, and outfit, including a few head of cattle.
Plaintiffs allege that prior to the death of George A. Scott, in March, 1911, the business was conducted by the petitioners and the late partner, George A. Scott, and since by petitioners.
The allegations of plaintiffs further are that the late George A. Scott to the date of his death was the manager in Mississippi; that the disbursements and receipts were made through him; that accounts of the partnership have been adjusted and settled; that over $30,000 worth of rosin was shipped and disposed of; large amounts were collected by him; that they have made demand for settlement.
They supplement their averments by alleging impropriety of conduct as a partner and fraud. Petitioners allege that they are ready to account for their respective management in so far as they have managed, and offer and tender a settlement in so far as they are concerned. They both allege that they are willing and anxious to render an accounting.
Petitioners aver that the succession of Scott was opened in the parish of Washington by his widow, Letha L. Scott, who resides in that parish. She applied for letters of administration and caused an Inventory to be taken; that she subsequently aban
They pray that Letha L. Scott, individually and as tutrix, administering the estate, be condemned to produce accounts and papers relating to the business of the firm of Scott, Aycock & Williamson, showing moneys received and disbursed on account of the firm since January 1, 1910; that, after due proceedings and after the balance will have been proven as due, there be judgment rendered for the amount due.
Plaintiffs have alleged other facts than those before stated; the purpose in the main is an accounting and settlement of the partnership. Plaintiffs are not domiciled in this state.
Defendant does not in her exception allege any objection to the settlement of the partnership, except that the action is premature; the grounds are not alleged.
By permitting them to sue here it must not be inferred that they are to be relieved from their own responsibility as former partners. They cannot hold the succession of their former partnerl and themselves go scot-free; that would not be even-handed justice.
The suit, it is true, must be brought, in matters relative to the partnership, before the tribunal where it exists (Code Proe. 165) “as long as the partnership continues.” We have stated the partnership is dissolved; it never had a domicile, we take it.
Other grounds of defendant are that plaintiffs’ petition is vague, uncertain, and ambiguous.
To the extent that plaintiffs seek to settle a defunct partnership, it will be time later to decide whether plaintiffs have brought their action with sufficient allegations. They have the burden of pleading. The object should be the formation of a definite issue and the introduction of sufficient evidence thereunder that will become of importance on the trial.
Lastly the exception is that plaintiffs’ petition does not disclose a cause of action.
The views before expressed dispose of that last ground of the exception.
It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the judgment appealed from is avoided, annulled, and reversed. The cause is remanded to be proceeded with in accordance with law. The costs to await final decision.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.