Rochester Distilling Co. v. Traverse City Brewing Co.
Rochester Distilling Co. v. Traverse City Brewing Co.
Opinion of the Court
Prior to September 29, 1908, the defendant company was the owner and operator of a saloon in Traverse City. On that day defendant claims to have sold said business to one John Bartz, who immediately
During November and December, 1908, and January, 1909, plaintiff, through its agent Collins, sold goods for this saloon in the sum of $288.41. The goods were ordered by Bartz, but billed and shipped to defendant and delivered at the saloon, which was apparently being operated by defendant under a license to defendant. Plaintiff in this action seeks to recover the value of the goods so sold. It was claimed by defendant that Collins (plaintiff’s agent) had actual knowledge of the alleged true situation, and that the credit was in fact extended to Bartz.
The case was submitted to the jury under a charge which, in effect, allowed plaintiff to recover only if it was found that Collins (plaintiff’s agent) dealt with Bartz as the agent of defendant, and not as principal. The court by his charge placed upon the defendant the burden of showing that Collins had knowledge of the alleged fact that Bartz had purchased the business and was the proprietor at the time the goods were sold. This instruction was clearly warranted under Rochester Distilling Co. v. Bostrum, 158 Mich. 543 (123 N. W. 27).
Error is assigned upon the following excerpt from the charge:
“ The only evidence that there is in this case that Mr. Collins had knowledge is the evidence of Mr. Bartz, who testified that he informed him that he was buying the whisky for himself, or that the sale was made to him; that he was the owner. All other testimony relative to the sale, and all the dealings between the parties, is stricken out as there is no evidence before this court or jury that the same was communicated to the plaintiff in this case or to its agent.”
Defendant admittedly held the license during the whole license year, and in terms authorized Bartz to order supplies in its name. The goods sold were billed and shipped to it just as it had (as between itself and Bartz) arranged. It should not now be heard to complain if it is obliged to pay an account contracted by Bartz, according to the agreement with a concern which in good faith relied upon the apparent situation created by itself. Good faith and lack of knowledge of the alleged true situation on the part of Collins is established by the verdict of the jury.
The judgment is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- ROCHESTER DISTILLING CO. v. TRAVERSE CITY BREWING CO.
- Status
- Published