Ayers v. Carpenter

Mr. Justice Crabtree

delivered the opinion of the court.

This was a suit commenced before a justice of the peace to recover the sum of one hundred dollars, the amount subscribed by appellee for the purpose of aiding in the establishment of a manufacturing plant at Downer’s Grove.

Appellant recovered a judgment before the justice, but on appeal to the Circuit Court and a trial de novo by a jury, the court directed a verdict for the defendant (appellee here), and. after overruling a motion for a new trial, rendered judgment against appellants for costs of suit, and they appeal to this court.

The subscription paper upon which this action is based is as follows:

“ Nov. 1, 1892.

“We, the undersigned, hereby agree to give to C. H. Dicke and F. H. Ayers the sums set opposite our names, to be used by them in establishing and maintaining a manufacturing plant in this village, provided that if above parties shall maintain and operate such plant for the ensuing ten (10) years, then shall they hold the following sums as their own, otherwise the same to be considered a loan to be returned by them when such plant shall cease to be operated.”

It is not denied that appellee signed this paper and placed the sum of $100 opposite his name as the amount subscribed by him. It appears, from the evidence, that Ayers and Dicke had contemplated the establishment of a manufacturing plant, as mentioned in the subscription paper, but for some reason they did not go on with the enterprise jointly, although Dicke, after some delay, established a plant on his own account, which he had carried on to a greater or less extent and was still doing so wdien suit was brought and the case tried. The suit was brought in the names of Ayers and Dicke for the use of Dicke. Appellee contends that because the plant was to be established by Ayers and Dicke, and was only built and carried on by Dicke alone, be is not liable. We can not agree to this view. The evident purpose of the subscription was the establishment of a manufacturing plant in the village, and we think, if the plant was established and carried on according to the terms of the subscription, even though it were by only one of the parties named therein, the subscribers would be held liable. It is also insisted there was such delay in the establishment of the plant as amounted to an abandonment of the enterprise. This was a question of fact, for the jury, as ivas also the further question whether the plant, actually established and carried on, was such a plant as was within the contemplation of the parties when the subscription was made. Besides, there is some evidence tending to show a promise on the part of appellee to pay his subscription, after the plant ivas established. The weight to be given to this evidence ivas exclusively for the jury to determine, and it was for them to say whether or not the promises were made. If they Avere, then the questions as to the plant having been established by Dicke alone, and as to whether it Avas such an one as was contemplated by the parties, Avould be deemed Avaived by appellee, and a recovery could be had upon the new promise. On the Avhole Ave are of the opinion the court erred in taking the case from the jury.

In several respects we think the court unduly restricted the plaintiffs in their proofs, and in that respect they did not have á fair trial.

For the reasons given, the judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded.