Steele v. Gonyer
Steele v. Gonyer
Opinion of the Court
This action is being prosecuted for the purpose of enforcing contribution from cosureties upon a certain bond executed by plaintiff and defendants to The First National Bank of Bowling Green.
A motion was made and submitted to dismiss the appeal, but we are of the opinion that under the authority of McCrory v. Parks, 18 Ohio St., 1, the case is appealable.
It appears from the evidence in the case that the plaintiff and the defendants were stockholders in a certain corporation, known as The Oil Well Salvage Company, with its principal place of business
At the time this bond was executed the bank held the obligations of the salvage'company in the amount of about $6;500, and after the new bond
It is contended by counsel for Bourquin that the new guaranty amounted to a novation or a substitution, that it is the only guaranty in force and that therefore Bourquin is not liable to contribute in any amount.
On the other hand it is contended by plaintiff that the liability arises and exists entirely under the first guaranty, and that- Bourquin is consequently bound to contribute his pro rata share of the entire indebtedness.
The record does not disclose why Bourquin failed to sign the new guaranty, but it does appear that the remaining signers were willing to execute the new guaranty without his signature and that the bank, through its cashier, was willing to and did accept this guaranty.
Under these circumstances, as disclosed by the evidence, we hold that the plaintiff has the right to enforce contribution, that the signers of the first guaranty are liable for the indebtedness existing at the date of the second guaranty and the signers
The principle seems to be in accordance with the rule announced in Corrigan v. Foster, Admr., 51 Ohio St., 225, and Buffington v. Bronson, 61 Ohio St., 231.
A decree may be drawn enforcing contribution in accordance with the views expressed in this opinion, excluding however from consideration D. J. Gonyer, who has at all times been beyond the jurisdiction of the court since the commencement of this action, and excluding also Edward Beverstock, who is insolvent; and it appearing to the court that uncertainty exists as to the financial responsibility of one or more of the other defendants, if is ordered that this cause be remanded to the court of common pleas to carry the decree into effect, and that jurisdiction be retained by said court for the purpose of making any further order that may be necessary.
It appears that no notice was given to or demand made on the defendant Bourquin, and he is not therefore liable for costs in the action. See Neil-son & Churchill v. Fry, 16 Ohio St., 552.
Judgment accordingly.
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