Watson v. Lovelace , 49 Iowa 558 ( 1878 )

Beck, I.

I. We think the evidence fails to show that defendants did any acts in violation of the terms of the contract which would have the effect to dissolve the copartnership or authorize plaintiffs to regard the contract as abandoned by defendants. The plaintiffs rely upon defendants’ transaction with Norcott as a sufficient justification of the conclusion that they had abandoned the contract and formed a new copartnership. The evidence fails to support this portion of the allegations of plaintiffs’ petition, but does fully support the allegations of defendants’ answer. The transaction seems to have been this: Noredtt had a fishing station, with necessary buildings and implements to prosecute the business. Defendants, for their firm, desired to purchase his whole property, but he would not sell. As the season for fishing was approaching defendants reached the conclusion that they could do no better than accept the offer made by Norcott to sell them an undivided interest in his establishment, and then to prosecute the business on joint account. The purchase was made for the firm, and soon thereafter the company bought out the remaining interest of Norcott, when they terminated all connection with him..

The plaintiffs also insist that defendants prosecuted other business, contrary to the terms of the articles of copartnership. All there is of this charge is that defendants bought supplies and sold them to men employed in their fisheries, and small quantities to others. We discover no foundation in these transactions to declare the copartnership abandoned, or the terms of the contract forfeited.

1. partnership: contract II. The District Court found the facts as alleged in defendants’ answer, touching the execution of the articles of co-partnership by William' P. Watson, and the agreement of his father to become the partner. The finding, we think, is correct, and the evidence amply supports the allegation of the answer. We feel satisfied that the agreement was entered into by defendants on the ground that Samuel, and not William, was to be their partner. Of this understanding both Samuel and William had full knowledge, and to the contract in that form fully assented.

Plaintiffs insist that evidence cannot be received to show that the real party in interest, and bound by the contract, is one other than the party signing it; that it cannot be shown by parol evidence that \Yilliam P. is not the real party to the contract, and Samuel H. is. To support this position counsel rely upon Davison & True v. The Davenport Gaslight & Coke Co., 24 Iowa, 419; Harkins v. Edwards & Turner, 1 Iowa, 426; and Thurston and Webb v. Mauro, 1 G. Greene, 231, and other authorities. We find it unnecessary to inquire into the correctness of this position,- as we reach a conclusion that is not in conflict with it.

The cross-bill of defendants seeks relief based upon all the facts of the ease, and not under or upon the written contract alone. These facts we find to be as follows: Defendants and Samuel H. Watson agreed to enter into a copartnership for the purposes and upon the terms and conditions set out in the written instrument. It was agreed that Samuel H. Watson should prepare articles of copartnership, which he did, but substituted the name of his son, William P., in place of his own, and presented the contract to the defendants with his son’s name signed thereto, instead of his own. The defendants insisted that they had entered into the agreement with the father and not with the son, and declared that they would not execute the contract. The father explained that he did not desire to appear as a partner; that he in fact intended to be the real party in interest, furnishing the capital and sharing in the profits and losses, and that the son’s name was used for his own in order that the fact of his interest in the concern might not be known. He declared that his son should have no interest whatever in the business, and should exercise no control whatever over it. The son was present and heard all the conversation and agreements of the parties, and made no objections to the methods and plans of the parties. It was expressly understood by all present, when the articles of co-partnership were signed, that the father, and not the son, was to be a partner in the firm. In pursuance of this agreement the father furnished the capital agreed upon by him, and actually, as a member of the firm, conducted its business, so far as he was called upon to do any thing by the other partners. The son never claimed to be or acted as a partner.

Now, there surely was an agreement of defendants and ■Samuel H. Watson to enter iirto a copartnership. In pursuance of the agreement they did finally consummate the contract. Its terms were fully agreed upon as set out in the written instrument signed by the son. They agreed, each with the other, to become partners. As to the terms of the contract there was assent by both parties thereto. In fact, there is no dispute between the parties in regard to the terms. They not only entered into the contract, but proceeded to execute it, and carried on the business for a considerable length of time.

If we are required to regard the written contract as having been executed by William P., and he became, with the defendants, bound thereby, it was never executed, for William P. never performed any obligation imposed by it, and during the- prosecution of the business never claimed to be a partner under it. The case then presents this aspect: Deféndants and Samuel H. entered into an oral contract of copartnership, which was fully executed by both. The terms of this contract are not in dispute. If they were disputed, and it was shown that they were embodied in the written instrument signed by William P., we know of no reason why that instrument would not be admissible in evidence to show the' terms of the contract. But, as these terms are not in question, this point need not be decided.

Defendants and William P. entered into a written agreement, which was never executed by either party thereto, and neither claimed, at any time, to act under it or to enforce it as creating; a copartnership between them. The business was actually prosecuted by the copartnership formed under the oval agreement with Samuel PI. Watson. The law will regard the written articles of copartnership executed by William P. as abandoned by the parties, and the oral contract between defendants and Samuel H. as binding upon all the parties to the transaction. These views and reasoning are entirely satisfactory, and lead to the most equitable results, which hold Samuel PL Watson liable as the partner of defendants. Our conclusion is in harmony with the principles of the law, and is in conflict with no authorities that have been brought to our attention.

The decree of the District Court is

AFFIRMED.