Perkiomen Brick Co. v. Dyer
Perkiomen Brick Co. v. Dyer
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
Plaintiff company’s testimony in support of its claim for $5,000, and interest, due upon an alleged subscription to its capital stock by the defendant, was practically undisputed. Without introducing any evidence on his own behalf, but relying on a strictly technical line of defense, the defendant requested binding instructions in his own favor, on the ground that the alleged subscription, “not being in writing, was illegal,” etc. The learned trial judge refused each of the defendant’s four points and instructed the jury that if they believed the testimony relied on by the plaintiff company, it was “ entitled to recover; ” and thereupon a verdict was rendered in favor of the plaintiff for the full amount of its claim.
It is unnecessary to recite at length the testimony on which the case was thus submitted to the jury. It is sufficient to say that it is of such a character as fully warranted the action of the court in submitting it, and justified the jury in finding against the defendant. It tended strongly to prove, among other things, that at a stockholders’ meeting in December, 1893, at which the defendant was present, it was unanimously resolved to issue the four hundred undisposed of shares of cap
It was also clearly shown by the testimony that the entire proceeds of the stock so issued were necessary to make the improvements, etc., agreed upon. Defendant was fully aware of all the facts, and united with his associates in agreeing to take and pay for the stock for the pmpose of raising the necessary
It is unnecessary in this case to say whether, under the uncontradicted evidence to which brief reference has been made, the alleged subscription is strictly legal and binding on the defendant. But, in view of the facts and circumstances connected with his undertaking to accept and pay for the stock in question, and his subsequent acts, etc., we are clearly of opinion that the defendant is estopped from questioning the validity of his contract, even if it were only in parol. To permit him to repudiate it would, in the circumstances, be unjust and inequitable. Neither of the specifications of error is sustained.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The Perkiomen Brick Company v. John T. Dyer
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Corporations — Stock subscription — Evidence—Estoppel. In an action by a corporation to recover on' a stock subscription, it appeared that at a stockholders’ meeting at which defendant was present it was unanimously resolved to issue 400 undisposed of shares of stock, for the purpose of enlarging the company’s plant. Three persons who were present at the meeting testified that the defendant agreed, after some hesitation, to be one of four to take this stock, and that he directed the secretary to put him down in the minute book for 100 shares. The secretary testified that he made the entry a few minutes thereafter. The minute book was offered in evidence, but excluded under the objection of the defendant. The other three took and paid for the other 300 shares. It also appeared that the entire proceeds of the stock so issued was necessary for improvements agreed upon; that contracts were made on the strength of the subscription, and that defendant advised with the directors and urged the selection of a particular engine. Defendant never disputed his liability, but, on the contrary, recognized his obligation to pay, by postponing the time of payment, and naming a time when he would pay. Held, (1) that defendant was estopped from questioning the validity of his contract, even if it were only in parol; (2) that ‘the minute book was the best evidence of what the secretary did by direction of the defendant, but defendant cannot complain of its exclusion on his own objection; (3) that a verdict and judgment against the defendant should be sustained.