Sodergren v. Nelson

155 N.W. 760, 131 Minn. 466, 1915 Minn. LEXIS 875

• Court: Supreme Court of Minnesota
• Decided: December 24, 1915
• Docket: Nos. 19,508—(179)
• Status: Published

Opinion

Dibell, C.

Action to. recover of the defendants by way of contribution on notes indorsed by the plaintiff and the defendants and paid by the plaintiff. There was a verdict for the defendants. Plaintiff appeals from the order denying his motion for a new trial.

1. The plaintiff and the defendants were interested in the Morton Brick & Tile Company. They were its officers and stockholders. The company made notes to the First State Bank of Morton. They were indorsed by the plaintiff and the defendants. The company did not pay them. They were protested and were paid by the plaintiff. The plaintiff sues the defendants to recover the proportion which they should contribute.

The defendants claim that the original agreement was that the plaintiff should finance the company, and that, while they were to indorse company paper at his request, it was understood that he would pay it, and that it was so agreed as to the paper-in suit; in other words, that as between them they were sureties for him.

The plaintiff very earnestly contends that the evidence is not sufficient to justify a verdict for the defendants upon this issue. We have examined the evidence critically. There was substantial evidence in support of the verdict. Some of it, as it appears in the paper book, seems artificial, but the trial court, in much better position than are we to judge its character, is satisfied with the verdict. The case is not one in which we can interfere within the doctrine of Peterson v. Chicago Great Western Ry. Co. 106 Minn. 245, 118 N. W. 1016, and cases cited.

2. The brick and tile company was adjudged a bankrupt and the plaintiff bought its property. The value of the property bought by the plaintiff was submitted to the jury as a material issue in the case. How it was material it is not necessary to inquire, for the question is only upon the propriety of the admission of the schedules in proof of value. It may be conceded that the schedules are usually inadmissible for such purpose. See Walsh v. Paine, 123 Minn. 185, 143 N. W. 718; Halbert v. Pranke, 91 Minn. 204, 97 N. W. 976; Hibbs v. Marpe, 84 Minn. 10, 86 N. W. 612, and cases cited. Here, however, the plaintiff, who was the only one who was affected by the schedules, directed their making and verified them under oath before their filing. He was on the stand and so testified and they were competent as an admission.

3. The defendants testified as to the value of the plant. They had some familiarity with it and some knowledge of its value. They were. its officers and stockholders. We think they were qualified to give their opinion, and such criticism as may be made upon their testimony goes to its weight father than its competency. '

Order affirmed.