Forbes

Peter Owens was indebted to A. Forbes by reason of transactions in the stock of the Mahogany Gold and Silver Mining Company, in the sum oí $2,102.50, for which Forbes held 150 shares of the stock as collateral, then worth about $4,200. Forbes was a trustee of the company. The management of the company was not harmonious, two trustees having views opposed to the other two, Forbes being the fifth. The defendants, McDonald and T. J. Owens, Who were dealing in stock of the corporation, desired to have Forbes resign as trustee, that they might have some friend put in his place; and Forbes wanted payment of his indebtedness from Peter Owens secured. So, it was agreed that the defendants, McDonald and T. J. Owens, should give their promissory note for the amount of Peter Owens’ indebtedness, payable at six months, interest at li per cent, per month, and Forbes should resign and aid them in electing a successor. The note was made payable to the plaintiffs, in which firm A. Forbes was a partner.

The note not having been paid, the plaintiffs brought suit; the defense of want of and illegality of consideration was interposed, and the case was heard by a jury. The Court below instructed the…

This is an action upon a promissory note.- The defendants in their answer set up two defenses. First, that there was no consideration for the making of the note; and second, that the consideration was illegal. The evidence upon these issues was conflicting, and the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs. The defendants moved for a new trial on the ground that the evidence was insufficient to justify the verdict. The motion was granted, and from that order the plaintiffs appealed.

It is settled by a long series of decisions that this Court will not disturb an order granting a new trial, on the ground of insufficiency of evidence to justify the verdict, where the evidence upon a material issue is conflicting.

I concur in the affirmance of the order granting a new trial.