206 Pa. 587 | Pa. | 1903
Opinion by
Jacob E. Ridgway, the appellant, with McGrath, McKaySchellenberg, McFarland, Jacobs, Leuffer, Graham and Bowman were the owners in common of certain coal lands in Fayette county. They associated themselves as owners, not incorporated, under the name of the “ Redstone Coal Company.” This company or partnership continued in existence for sometime, when the parties concluded to organize as a corporation under the general act of 1874 ; so on May 6, 1887, the “Red-
While the auditor concedes that appellant on the facts made out a strong prima facie case of mistake in apportioning the stock, he thinks it is rebutted by the countervailing evidence. Ridgway was an officer of the company; for years acquiesced in the assertion of ownership by McGrath, not only acquiesced, but officially, under oath, averred McGrath to be the owner. Taking into view 'Ridgway’s actual knowledge of McGrath’s claim, his own averments of the extent of it officially under oath, he finds that the mistake is not proven as a fact. The auditor holds, citing Bispham’s Equity, sec. 196, and Claybaugh v. Goodchild, 135 Pa. 421. “ Equity will not grant relief in cases of mistake (of fact) except on very clear proof.” We have examined carefully the evidence and will not undertake to say that the auditor is mistaken in his finding of fact in this particular.
But outside of this finding of fact we think the auditor properly held that the statute of limitations effectually barred Ridgway’s claim to have the mistake cured at the audits. On June 3, 1887, the owners of the land agreed it should be conveyed to the corporation which they had just had chartered; that Jacob E. Ridgway should have for his interest in the land 3,336 shares of the 10,000 shares of capital stock; that among others, Brown, trustee of McGrath, should have 1,250 shares. Although Ridgway afterwards took additional shares by purchase and otherwise, until he was the owner of 8,032, and Brown, trustee, took additional shares until he was the. owner of 2,387, yet no mistake is alleged in the issue of these subsequent shares; if mistake was made at all, it was in the first agreement for division after the charter was issued. Before November 4, 1889, the shares as agreed upon were actually issued and delivered to the stockholders according to their agreed upon original apportionment, for Ridgway on that date makes oath that they have been so issued. Clearly a right of action either at law or in equity accrued to Ridgway to correct the mistake after the delivery of the 205§ shares to trustee Brown before November 4, 1889.
There is nothing of merit in the other assignments of error filed by appellant which demands discussion. All the assignments of error are overruled and the decree of the court below is affirmed.