Bechtel v. Marshall, 207 Ill. App. 329 (1917)

Oct. 2, 1917 · Illinois Appellate Court · Gen. No. 22,624
207 Ill. App. 329

Nellie A. Bechtel, Executrix, Defendant in Error, v. George A. Marshall, Plaintiff in Error.

Gen. No. 22,624.

(Not to be reported in full.)

Error to the Circuit Court of Cook county; the Hon. David F. Matchett, Judge, presiding. Heard in this court at the October term, 1916.

Affirmed.

Opinion filed October 2, 1917.

Rehearing denied October 15, 1917.

Statement of the Case.

Action by Nellie A. Bechtel, executrix of the last will and testament of Henry H. Bechtel, deceased, plaintiff, against George A. Marshall, defendant, on a promissory note. From a judgment for plaintiff for $24,207.24 upon a directed verdict, defendant brings error.

Helmer, Moulton, Whitman & Whitman, for plaintiff in error; Lloyd 0. Whitman and Boland D. Whitman, of counsel.

Culver, Andrews & King, for defendant in error.

*330Abstract of the Decision.

1. Bills and notes, § 420 * — when documentary evidence is in-' admissible in action on note. In an action by the representative of a deceased stockholder on a note given by one stockholder to deceased in an alleged settlement among stockholders at the time of the winding up of the business of the corporation, to reimburse deceased for the portion of defendant’s share of the debts of the corporation assumed by deceased, in which defendant claimed that there was an error in the statement of accounts at the time of settlement, held that writings in books and papers offered by defendant made by parties other than deceased or his representatives were inadmissible, because not binding on him, and that other writings, the authorship of which was not shown, were also inadmissible.

2. Bills and notes, § 443* — when evidence insufficient to show failure of consideration. In an action by the representative of a deceased stockholder in a corporation on a note given by another stockholder in an alleged settlement of defendant’s share of the indebtedness of the corporation assumed by deceased, evidence held insufficient to show that such note was without consideration.

3. Bills and notes, § 440* — when evidence insufficient to show note was for accommodation purposes. In an action by the representative of a deceased stockholder in a corporation on a note given by another stockholder in an alleged settlement of defendant’s share of the indebtedness of the corporation assumed by deceased, evidence held insufficient to show that such note was for accommodation purposes.

4. Bills and notes, § 407* — when burden of proof is on defendant. The burden of proof is on defendant in an action on a promissory note to show failure of consideration.

Mr. Justice McSurely

delivered the opinion of the court.