Court Opinion

ID: 6601030
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 20:07:40.299817+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:58:00.939754
License: Public Domain

DixoN, C. J.
It is difficult to perceive bow any question under tbe statute of frauds was presented in this case, or bow tbe parol testimony introduced by tbe plaintiff was objectionable, on tbe ground that it tended to vary, contradict or control tbe terms of a written instrument. Tbe bond given in evidence by tbe plaintiff, was not tbe instrument sued upon, and did not constitute tbe foundation of tbe plaintiff’s action in tbe sense that counsel for tbe defendant seem to suppose. It was offered 'merely as some evidence tending to establish tbe plaintiff’s claim, and to show what tbe true understanding and agreement was between tbe plaintiff and bis late co-partners, Wigbtman and Langwortby, with respect to tbe payment of tbe notes of tbe old firm held by Mrs. Saunders and Mrs. Langwortby. Tbe cause of action sued upon, or foundation of tbe plaintiff’s claim, was the moneys paid out and expended by him in taking up and satisfying tbe Saund*686ers and Langworthy notes, with, respect to which the plaintiff stood, or claimed to stand, in the relation of surety for the new firm of E. D. Wightman & Co., composed of the two partners, E. D. Wightman and Geo. E. Langworthy.
The bond referred to in the complaint and introduced in evidence, was received for the purpose of establishing such relation of surety, and tended very strongly to do so. It did so very clearly as between the plaintiff and Wightman, and, if it failed to show the same relation as between the plaintiff and the other partner, Langworthy, it did not preclude or debar the plaintiff from establishing it by other evidence. It was still competent for the plaintiff to show by parol testimony that such was also his relation to Langworthy with respect to the notes. The simple transaction was, that the plaintiff and Wightman and Langworthy, being or having been copartners in the manufacture and sale of lumber, and owning a saw-mill and considerable tracts of land, and some personal property in the counties of Juneau and Wood in this state, the plaintiff sold out all his interest in the partnership to his copartners, Wightman and Langworthy, for a certain sum of money, the latter likewise agreeing, among other things, and in part consideration of the purchase, to pay the notes of the former firm to Mrs. Saunders and Mrs. Langworthy. The copartnership between the plaintiff and Wightman and Langworthy was thus dissolved, the plaintiff retiring from the firm, and thereupon the new partnership by the same name, and style, composed of Wightman and Langworthy, was created and became successor in the business.
In making the contract for the sale which took the form of a bond executed by the plaintiff, it became convenient for some reason to have the bond run to Wightman alone, and he was accordingly named as sole obligee and thus appeared on the face of the bond as sole purchaser of the plaintiff’s interest in the property of the partnership, subject, among others, to the condition named in the bond, of paying the Saunders and *687Langworthy notes, which the plaintiff was afterwards compelled to and did pay to the holders. The actual truth was, as appeared by the testimony of both Wightman and Langworthy, introduced after the giving in evidence of the bond, that Wightman was not sole purchaser, as he appeared by the bond, but that he purchased jointly with Langworthy, and that it was so understood by all parties at the time. And this is the testimony to which exception was taken as contradicting the terms of the written instrument. The defendant is receiver of the assets, property and effects of the new firm, and as such represents that firm. The action is the same as if it had been brought against Wightman and Langworthy, the individuals composing such firm.
In this aspect it is obvious that there was nothing in the writing or bond executed by the plaintiff, which would prevent his showing the true relation which existed between himself and Wightman and Langworthy, with respect to the notes, as that he had become surety for them or for the new firm for the payment of the notes, and that when he paid them it was so much money paid and advanced by him in that capacity. The equitable nature of the action, for money paid and advanced under' such circumstances, is well known, as is also the liberal character of the action. Disregarding technicalities, and looking to the very right and justice of the matter, it may in general be asserted as a correct rule, that nothing will prevent a party from showing the whole truth, unless it be something in the nature of an estoppel by which he has precluded himself. Cases may'be presented, perhaps, of direct written agreement, where he could not contradict or vary by parol, but not in such a case as this. The parol evidence was admissible on the same principle that receipts for money may be explained, or an agreement shown as to which the writing is silent. Woodman v. Clapp, 21 Wis., 350; Ballston Spa Bank v. Marine Bank, 16 Wis., 120.
If A, B. and C. be jointly liable as makers and principals upon a note, and A. pays his share or proportion to B. and C., who thereupon agree by parol to take up the note and save A. *688harmless, and A. is afterwards compelled to pay the note, he will have his action against B. and C; for the amount paid and interest, and oral testimony will be admissible to show the agreement and that A. had in fact become a mere surety. And it would be the same if A. bad paid his share to B. for the use of B. and C., and with the promise or agreement on their part that they would pay the note. The transfer and conveyance by the plaintiff to the new firm or to either member of that firm as might be designated, of his interest in the property of the co-partnership as it previously existed, was, by the understanding and agreement of the parties, a payment by him to the new firm of his share or proper part of the Saunders and langwor-thy notes, and though still personally liable to the holders, that liability was, as respected the new firm of Wightman and Lang-worthy, one of suretyship merely; and such being his position, he would have all the rights both at law and in equity of any other surety, and might establish those rights by the same kind of evidence. The statute of frauds would not and did not interpose any obstacle to his proving by oral testimony that he had, in pursuance of a valid and legal obligation, been compelled to pay and had paid money for the use and benefit of the new firm, and which in justice and equity should be refunded to him and entitle him to the rights and remedies of a creditor of that firm.
We see no error in the proceedings and judgment of the court below, and are consequently of opinion that the same should be affirmed.
By the Court — Judgment affirmed.