Graves v. Clark, 101 Iowa 738

Graves v. Clark

101 Iowa 738 | Iowa | 1897

Granger, J.

1 I. A question is presented on an assignment of error as to the refusal of the court to strike from the files defendant’s answer, filed after plaintiff’s second amendment to the petition was filed. It will be remembered that the second amendment to the petition set up the letters as constituting an agreement in writing, and the answer complained of makes a denial that the letters contain such an agreement, or refer to an agreement before made; and it also stated that the agreement pleaded could not be shown by parol evidence. The grounds of the motion to strike, are that the pleading was filed without leave of court, and later than the rules of the court permitted. We need not determine the correctness of the ruling denying the motion; because, as to the denials of what was shown by the letters, no issue was changed or affected. The pleading of the letters as constituting the contract, if not denied, only went to the fact of the existence of the letters, which is not disputed. There would be no admission of a legal conclusion not deducible from the letters themselves. The denials as to the letters in no way change the situation. Every fact available to the plaintiff without the denials is available with them.

2 II. As to the plea of the statute of frauds, or, in other words, the plea that parol evidence was not admissible to prove the contract as alleged, that was a mere legal conclusion, and in no way changed the issue. What evidence is competent to prove an issue of fact made by the pleadings is never settled upon an issue of fact as to such competency, but by a demurrer to the pleading averring the contract, or upon objection to the evidence when offered. See Burden v. Knight, 82 Iowa, 584 [48 N. W. Rep. 985), wherein it is held that a party claiming under a *743contract within the statute of frauds must aver facts sufficient to take it out of the provisions of the statute, or the pleading will be demurrable.

3 III. The deposition of the defendant was taken and used on the trial. At the commencement of the trial, and before testimony was offered, the plaintiff made an application to have the deposition corrected wherein the stenographer, before whom the deposition was taken, had omitted certain statements by the witness. The fact as to the omission was shown by the affidavit of It. W. Stewart. The application was denied, and complaint is made. It seems to us it would be a dangerous rule to permit depositions, where filed, to be attacked by affidavit with a view to add to or strike from them. It can readily be understood what issues might be made on such applications, and what complications might follow. We think the court did not err in the refusal of the application.

IY. On the merits of the case, we are not in doubt that the conclusion of the district court is correct. We reach this conclusion, independent of the claim that the contract, as alleged, is within the statute of frauds. That Clark furnished the money upon which the stock and claim were transferred to him, is conceded, and, in the absence of a showing to the contrary, he is the owner. That there are some items of evidence, not easily reconciled as consistent with defendant’s claim, may, and likely should, be admitted. They would be of greater force against defendant, if he had the burden to show his title. The burden is with the plaintiff, and mere doubts are not sufficient to make the necessary weight of evidence for his recovery. It will not unduly lengthen this opinion, if we set out a part of the evidence that seems to us to largely control this case. It is a part of the testimony of J. K Graves, as follows: “I had owned and pledged to the First National Bank of *744Chicago, $26,400 of Western Union Fuel Co. stock, and $25,000 stock of the American Coal Co. The bank was anxious to get its money, and I was equally anxious to get control of the stocks for plaintiff. I saw Mr. Clark, and asked him if he wouldn’t advance the money to get the stocks, and hold the same for the benefit of my son Luin. He said he would do that for me, and that I could do as I pleased with it; but that, if he did so, we would work together for mutual advantage, and oust McNeill. At the same time I also told Clark that Wells, receiver, at Dubuque, held about $12,000 of paper against H. W. McNeill, secured by $30,000 American Coal stock, which with his (Clark’s) co-operation, I could buy very cheap — for much less than the actual value of the stock — and Mr. Clark said to me to see what I could do in the way of procuring this McNeill paper from Wells, receiver, and that, if I could make a satisfactory trade, that he (Clark) would let me have the money to pay for it, or would buy it for me, and that he would come up at any time I desired to close the negotiations with Wells, if it might be necessary. He informed me that he would do it for me, but for me to keep that part to myself. I told him I would ascertain what I could accomplish, and let him know, and that I wanted my son Luin to divide with Clark whatever profit was made in the matter. Clark expressed his wish to aid me, and said all he cared for was to be made whole — that is, to have his money back, with interest — -and that Luin or I could do as we pleased with the property or profits; and that he would do it for me, but for me to keep that part quiet. I had several talks with Mr. Clark about the American Coal Co. and the Western Union Fuel Co. stocks that spring, and before he bought the Western Union Fuel Co.’s stock of Mr. Gage. (2) At one of these interviews *745in Ms bank at Iowa City, Mr. Clark told me he wished to sell his stocks, and get out, or co-operate with me to get control, and get rid of the McNeills, who managed the business of those companies; that he would loan me one-half of all he realized from his coal interests to enable me to liquidate my personal affairs which were then in confusion. I thanked him and accepted his generous offer, whereat Clark said: ‘Now, Graves, I may die; so you just sit down, and write out what I have agreed to do. Make it a legal, binding document, and I will sign it;’ and I then and there wrote out the following, which Clark signed.” The weight and conclusiveness of this testimony is more apparent if we have in mind what induced Graves to write the “binding document” to be signed by Clark. It was these words from Clark: “Now, Graves, I may die; so you just sit down and write out what I have agreed to do. Make it a legal, binding document, and I will sign it.” Looking to the testimony of Graves, as above quoted, it appears that the agreement of Clark, as testified to, included the agreement as to advancing the money for both the stock in the bank and the McNeill claim, and the agreement involved many thousands of dollars. Mr. Graves prepared, and Mr. Clark signed the following: “Iowa City, April 20, 1889. J. K. Graves — Dear Sir: For value received, I agree to work solidly with you to protect our mutual interests in the coal business generally at Oskaloosa, and especially in the American Coal Company; and you and I will vote together, and build up our interests against any and all influences and from any funds therefrom coming to me I will loan you the use of one-half thereof, should you need the same in liquidation of your affairs. We will retire W. A. McNeill from all connection with the business, and aim to make the management profitable and satisfactory. We, you and I, will stand together, *746and, if need be, fight together for each other. Truly, E. Clark.” This writing was made April 20, 1889, and was about the time of the agreement as to the transfers in question. It was made at one of the talks about the coal and fuel company’s stocks, and before defendant purchased them. The purpose in making the writing was that it might express what Clark had agreed to do in case he should die. With that as the purpose, the agreement is made and signed without a reference to the agreement relied on in this suit. Independent of this particular feature, the evidence is in conflict. The testimony of Graves and Clark is opposed, and both, in some particulars, are corroborated by other testimony; but this feature is so strong in support of Clark, and the burden being with plaintiff, that it does not seem to us a doubt remains as to what the conclusion should be. The letters, pleaded as a further agreement, do not; aid the plaintiff. These letters were written July 15 and 18, 1889. The stock seems to have been issued to Clark, in part at least, June 15, 1889, and the negotiations made, in part, before April 29,1889. The letters speak of Judge Seevers having said that a certain interest should be obtained, and Clark said that he would do his best to help Graves get it, and Graves was admonished to keep that fact entirely to himself. It cannot be understood what was meant by the statements. The inference is rather against than in favor of. its meaning the interests involved in this suit. Of course, there are parts of the evidence we do not discuss, nor is it necessary. Our conclusion is that the judgment should be affirmed.