Court Opinion

ID: 5225116
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 16:42:59.068953+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:27:34.643635
License: Public Domain

Per Curiam:
The findings indicate that the defendant was in the possession of the plaintiff’s property in a fiduciary capacity in the nature of a deposit and trust until about the 15th day of Movember, 1898. His will evidently controlled his mother and she was under his influence and accepted as right whatever he said or did. It is evident that the referee has given too much attention to the alleged settlement and the sale of the store about Movember, 1898.' The transaction was evidently in due form, but, considering the relations existing between the defendant and his mother, it rested upon him to satisfy the court that she fully understood her rights and that they were protected and observed. During the copartnership she received as profits from the store about $5,000, and during the same time, when he was engaged in no other business and was drawing $15 per week salary, he deposited to his own credit in the bank $23,000 independent of discounts. The inference is reasonable that he had received from the business about $18,000 more than she had received. If that is so the alleged sale was unfair and evidently was not understood by her. He produces no books showing the business or profits of the copartnership, and it does not appear that she had any definite account furnished her. It is apparent that the defendant has not shown that he made a fan and just accounting to his mother on account of the partner ship in tne store. The relations existing between them called upon him to make plain that her rights were observed. The record indicates that the plaintiff is entitled to an accounting with reference to the copartnership matters. The discharge in bankruptcy and the Statute of Limitations do not shield the defendant. It is unnecessary to consider the rights of the parties with reference to the factory and other matters as a new trial must be had and all the facts will more fully appear. The judgment is, therefore, reversed upon the law and the facts, the referee discharged, and a new trial granted, with costs to the appellant to abide the event. *904All concurred, except Smith, P.'J., and Betts, J., dissenting. Judgment reversed on law and facts,' referee discharged, and new trial granted, with costs to appellant to abide event.