Case ID: w-va_96/html/0682-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Lutz, Judge:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CHARLESTON.
    Malone Elkhorn Coal Company v. Tildesley Coal Company.
    Submitted February 20, 1924.
    Decided June 24, 1924.
    Appeal and Ekkob — Jury Finding on Conflicting Evidence Not Disturbed.
    
    Where the defendant affirms and (plaintiff denies that the matter in controversy has ¡been adjusted and settled between the parties, and there is substantial conflict in the evidence relating to- this issue-, a finding of the jury thereon will not be set aside.
    McGinnis, Judge, absent.
    Error to Circuit Court, Cabell County.
    Action by the Malone Elkhorn Coal Company against the Tildesley Coal Company. Judgment for. plaintiff, and defendant brings error.
    
      Affirmed.
    
    
      Simms & Stoker, for plaintiff in error.
    
      Deegan do Hall, for defendant in error.
   Lutz, Judge:

The defendant complains of a judgment on the verdict of the jury against it in favor of the plaintiff for the sum of $1,376.78 in an action of assumpsit for an alleged balance due and owing on account of coal shipments by the plaintiff to defendant.

The plaintiff is a coal mining corporation operating a mine in the State of Kentucky. Defendant is also a corporation engaged in the coal selling business, with its chief office at Cincinnati, Ohio. As agent of, or purchaser from, the plaintiff, defendant handled coal produced by plaintiff’s mine from July, 1920, until about March, 1922. To plaintiff’s suit for $1376.78 the defendant filed an offset of $2680.35. This offset, constituting the matter in dispute between the parties, involved a shipment from its mine of 20 cars of coal by the plaintiff at the direction of defendant in December, 1920. The defendant claims that it did not buy the coal but merely sold it to< the Citizens G-as Company, at Indianapolis, Indiana, for plaintiff’s account, with the express agreement on the part of plaintiff that it should not exceed 8 per centum in ash; and that the purchaser, claiming it contained a greater percentage of ash, refused to accept the shipment, necessitating its re-sale by defendant on the open market at a loss of $2680.35 from the contract price. The plaintiff, on the other hand, contends that there was an outright sale to the defendant, without specific agreement as to quality; but that in fact the coal was properly prepared and of merchantable quality.

In addition to the defendant’s claim that it sold the coal for plaintiff’s account, it also relies on an alleged settlement with the plaintiff in August, 1921, of the matter in dispute.

At the time of the shipment the defendant gave plaintiff credit therefor, at the price fixed at $3.15 per ton f. o. b. mines. After the coal was rejected by the Citizens Gas Company, and sold on the open market by the defendant at a loss of $2680.35, the defendant 'then charged this loss back to the plaintiff, notifying it by letter to that effect. The president of the plaintiff states that it refused to bear the •loss and demanded payment by the defendant of the full purchase price. Tbe execution of a $10,500.00 note by tbe plaintiff to defendant is tbe basis of tbe alleged settlement. Tbe defendant says that Ubis note was given to take care of certain trade acceptances indorsed by it for tbe accommodation of plaintiff, and an open account between tbe parties including tbe item in ■ question. Tbe plaintiff, however, asserts that tbe execution of tbe note bad no relation to tbe matter in controversy, and defendant concedes that by reason of certain outstanding matters that were not taken into account tbe parties did not strike a final balance.

Defendant relies upon the following assignments of error:

(1) Tbe court improperly instructed tbe jury on behalf of plaintiff, over defendant’s objection that, if prior to tbe sale of tbe 20 cars of coal tbe defendant bad purchased from tbe plaintiff other coal from tbe same mine, and tbe defendant was acquainted with tbe character and grade of coal produced 'by plaintiff’s mine, and tbe coal in question was properly cleaned and prepared, then tbe fact that upon analysis it was found to. be high in ash, sulphur or other elements, is iminaterial, unless tbe plaintiff guaranteed it to be of a particular analysis.

This instruction is criticized as depriving tbe defendant of tbe defense that tbe coal was unmerchantable. There is no claim that tbe coal was not merchantable, or of as good quality as tbe usual product from plaintiff’s mine. It is shown to have been mined and prepared with especial care. In fact, the defendant admits that it brought tbe best price on tbe market in competition with other coals. Besides, there' is no competent evidence that it contained more than 8 per cent. ash. The sudden slump in coal prices doubtless accounts for tbe refusal of tbe gas company to accept tbe shipment. Tbe fact that tbe price obtained for this cdal was less than tbe freight charges shows tbe unfavorable market conditions. •

(2) That there was a settlement and adjustment between tbe parties which cannot be set aside except for fraud, accident. or mistake. Tbe plaintiff contends that tbe note for $10,500.00 was executed merely as collateral to secure tbe defendant as accommodation indorser for plaintiff on trade acceptances, discounted Tby tlie plaintiff at The Fifth-Third National Bank of Cincinnati, and not as evidence! of any indebtedness of the former to the latter.

The defendant admits that the note was executed merely as collateral. In its notice of offset the defendant files a complete statement from its hooks showing the numerous transactions between it and plaintiff involving more than $120,-000.00, but disclosing no settlement or account stated between the parties at any time. If the claim was merged in the note by account stated, then the unpaid balance on the note, if any, would be the basis for the offset. The record does not disclose what became of the note or that the defendant ever set up any claim thereunder.

The question of settlement between the parties being an issue of fact, involving a substantial conflict in the evidence, the finding of the jury thereon will not be disturbed.

¥e therefore affirm the judgment of the circuit court.

Affirmed.