Bardwell-Robinson Co. v. Brown

Answer held sham. Seld, that it clearly appears that the answer of the appellants was sham, and that it was not error in the court below to strike it out. Appeal for delay — Costs. Seld, further, that this appeal is taken merely for delay, and for that reason three per cent, of the judgment to be entered in the court below should be allowed as additional costs, to be taxed and entered in that judgment.

Appeal by defendants, Thomas M. Brown and Charles C. Shapleigh, from an order of the District Court of Marshall County, Frank Ives, J., made August 10, 1893, striking out their answer as sham. The plaintiff, Bardwell-Bobinson Company, is a corporation dealing in lumber at Minneapolis. The defendants, Thomas M. Brown and Charles C. Shapleigh are copartners and retail dealers in lumber at Stephen and at Hallock under the firm name of T. M. Brown & Co. This firm bought lumber of plaintiff and on December 28, 1892, gave plaintiff on account their note signed with the firm name for $500 and interest due June 1, 1893. When it fell due the note was not paid and this action was brought thereon to recover the contents. Thomas C. Shapleigh was also made defendant with the appellants and the complaint alleged that he was a member of the firm. The three defendants answered jointly as follows: The defendants answering the complaint of the plaintiff herein deny each and every allegation therein contained, except that defendants admit that plaintiff is a corporation and doing business as stated in the complaint in this action, and that no part has been paid by defendants of such a note as that described in the complaint in this action. Wherefore defendants ask that this action be dismissed. Plaintiff moved the court at chambers on notice to strike out the answer as against defendants, Thomas M. Brown and Charles C. Shapleigh, and for judgment against them. It presented a number of letters some in the handwriting of one of these defendants and some in that of the other, ordering lumber, enclosing the note, and when about to fall due asking renewal of it and stating inability to pay it promptly. These letters were all written on letter paper containing a printed head stating the firm name as T. M. Brown & Co. and the names of the members as T. M. Brown of Stephen and C. C. Shapleigh of Hallock. These defendants in opposition to the motion read only the affidavit of Thomas C. Shapleigh stating that he was not a member of the firm, that Charles was his son, and Brown his son-in-law, but that he had never been interested in the firm affairs. The court struck out the answer as to these two defendants and ordered judgment against them for the amount of the note with interest and costs and f 10 costs of the motion. It was permitted to stand as the answer of Thomas C. Shapleigh. As to him no relief was asked or granted. The other defendants appeal from the order. The practice is authorized by statute. 1878 G. S. ch. 66, §§ 265, 266. Miles v. Wann, 27 Minn. 56; Keigher v. Dowlan, 47 Minn. 574; Stedeker v. Bernard, 102 N. Y. 327.