Springer Lithographing Co. v. Graves

66 N.W. 66, 97 Iowa 39
CourtSupreme Court of Iowa
DecidedJanuary 27, 1896
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 66 N.W. 66 (Springer Lithographing Co. v. Graves) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Iowa primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Springer Lithographing Co. v. Graves, 66 N.W. 66, 97 Iowa 39 (iowa 1896).

Opinion

Deemer, J.

Appellant is a corporation engaged in the manufacture of posters, and other fine printing and lithographing, doing business in the city of New York. One John Springer is its president and manager. The defendant Travers is a theatrical manager, and, at the time in question, was the proprietor of a company which was playing what is known as the “Private Secretary.” In the spring of 1891, Travers was in negotiation with appellant for the printing of posters for his dramatic company, and on June 4,1891, defendant (and appellee) Graves who is a resident of Council Bluffs, addressed to John Springer the following letter: “H. C. Graves & Sons, Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 4, 1891. Mr. John Springer, New York City— Dear Sir: I will insure that Mr. Edwin Travers will take of you what paper and printing he may need for his play, the ‘Private Secretary,’ and pay for the same, from week to week, as he may need it. Yours, very truly, H. C. Graves.”

This letter reached Springer in due course of mail, and on June 9, defendant Travers gave plaintiff the following order:

“The Springer Lithographing Company, 548-550 West Twenty-third Street, New York, N. Y.
“New York, June 9, 1891. Dear Sirs: You will please execute for me the following described work: [Here follows list.] ■ The same to be.delivered in the city of New York on or before August 20, 1891. And we hereby agree to take and pay for all of said work on or before June 1, 1892, and to pay for the same as delivered. [Signed] Edwin Travers.”
[41]*41On the same day the following letter was addressed to appellee, Graves, by John Springer, President:
“New York, June 9, 1891. Dear Sir: We herewith hand you our regular form of guaranty, which please execute and return. Mr. Travers has, no doubt, written you concerning this matter. Yours, etc., John H. Springer, Pr.
“H. C. Graves &.Sons, Council Bluffs, Iowa.”

Inclosed with this letter was the contract of guaranty referred to therein. This last writing was not executed or returned by Graves. But appellant, shortly after the receipt of the order, began shipping the posters which had been ordered by Travers, and continued to send them, day after day, in small amounts, to the different towns and cities along the route of the theatrical company. No further communication was had between appellant and Graves until January 23,1892; and, in the meantime, plaintiff had shipped to Travers, on his order, goods to the amount of two thousand seven hundred and forty-five dollars and sixty-four cents, and had received on account thereof the following amounts: August 12, 1891, two hundred dollars; September 14, two hundred dollars; September 80, two hundred dollars; October 8, two hundred dollars; November 2, two hundred dollars; November 28, one hundred dollars; December 29, one hundred dollars. On January 23, 1892, Graves wrote appellant as follows:

“I write to say that I will not insure Mr. Edwin Travers to pay for more printing or paper after this date.”

On January 26,1892, Travers paid one hundred and fifty dollars more on the account, and on February 4, was indebted to appellant in the sum of one thousand three hundred and ninety-five dollars and sixty-four cents. On the last-named date, appellant answered Graves’ letter as follows:

[42]*42“New York, Feb. 4, 1892. Dear Sir: We are in receipt of yours of Jan. 28, and inclose you herewith statement of the Travers account; showing balance due us, $2,666.47, of which we have delivered him goods to the amount of $1,395.64, and have goods on hand amounting to $1,270.83. We would be pleased to have your check by return mail for the amount of the goods delivered. Hoping you will give the matter your immediate attention, we are, yours, etc., The Springer Lithographing Co., J. A. H.
“H. C. Graves, Esq., Council Bluffs, Iowa.”

And on the fifteenth day of February it sent him the following telegram:

“New York, Feb. 15, 1892. II. C. Graves, Care II. C. Graves & Sons, Council Bluffs, la.: Have you sent remittance, account Travers, or will you honor draft for one thousand dollars? The Springer Lithographing Co.”

To this Graves replied that he would not honor draft, and on the seventeenth wrote the letter which is set out under that date, in the fourth division of this opinion. In response to further demands made by appellant, Graves, on March 20, wrote the letter which is also set out in the fourth division of this opinion. The appellant continued to ship the posters ordered by Travers, and received from him a further payment of one hundred and fifty dollars on February 15, 1892. On May 1, 1892, plaintiff accepted from Travers his promissory note for the sum of one thousand two hundred and twenty-two dollars and thirty-seven cents, — the balance claimed to be due on account. This note was due seven months after date, and drew interest at the rate of six per cent. Travers paid five hundred dollars more on June 13,1892. Appellee had no notice or knowledge that a note had been taken from Travers until about the time of the maturity of the same, when demand was made upon him for its [43]*43payment. Graves refused to pay the account or any part of it; and plaintiff then commenced this suit to recover for all the goods manufactured and shipped, as well as for goods manufactured but not delivered, and claimed a balance due of one thousand two hundred and twenty-two dollars and thirty-seven cents, with interest on the same for seventeen months at the rate of six per cent. The action was brought upon the account (not upon the note), and the defendant’s alleged guaranty of date June 4, 1891. Travers was made a party, but was not served with notice, nor did he make any appearance to the suit. Appellee, Graves, admitted the making of the alleged instrument of guaranty, but alleged that neither plaintiff nor John Springer ever gave him notice of its acceptance. He further pleaded that the instrument of guaranty was not made to appellant, or for its benefit, but was personal to John Springer, and further avers that he countermanded the same on January 28, 1892, and that, at the time of the countermand, appellant had been fully paid for all goods sold or delivered to Travers up to that time. He also pleaded that on February 4, appellant had shipped to Travers goods to the amount of one thousand three hundred and ninety-five dollars and sixty-four cents, and had received from him the sum of one thousand three hundred and fifty dollars, and that appellant at this time recognized the revocation of the guaranty, and agreed that appellee should be bound for only the balance due at that time. Appellee further pleaded that appellant did not comply with the terms of the guaranty, on its part, but instead of requiring Travers to make payment from time to time, as required by the guaranty, permitted Travers to remain in default, without the knowledge of appellee, and continued to ship and deliver goods to Travers, without requiring or demanding payment in accordance with the terms of the guaranty, until [44]

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Bluebook (online)
66 N.W. 66, 97 Iowa 39, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/springer-lithographing-co-v-graves-iowa-1896.