Page:North Dakota Reports (vol. 48).pdf/384

 to represent them in all of their interests herein, and from time to time inspect the work of first party while it is building said butter factory and placing said machinery.”

“For the purpose to form a corporation to own and operate said butter factory and fully carry out the intention of subscribers, it is hereby agreed that when this contract is closed, second parties are to incorporate in a limited corporation organized under the laws of the state, fixing the aggregate amount of capital at not less than the contract price, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each, according to the laws of the state. Each subscriber. hereto shall receive a full paid certificate of the stock of such corporation to the amount of the par value of his subscription hereon, when paid in full and not until then, and the subscribers hereto shall not be liable for any further assessments or payments whatsoever.”

It seems that the Hastings Industrial Company had serious doubts as to the financial responsibility of some of the signers, and, as a result of certain negotiations, six of the subscribers (of whom defendant was one) executed and delivered to the Hastings Industrial Company their three promissory notes, dated July 3, 1911, aggregating in all $4,000, to wit, one note for $1,500, payable October 1, 1912; one note for $1,250, payable November 1, 1913; and one note for $1,250, payable November 1,1914. Thereafter the following assignment was executed and delivered to the six persons who signed the said three promissory notes, to wit:

“Chicago, Ill, Sept. 15, 1911.

“The Hastings Industrial Company of Chicago, Illinois, first party to a gathered cream power butter factory, to be erected at Burnstad, Logan county, North Dakota, hereby assign to Chas. Hernett, H. A. Shepard, Theodore Meyer, J. S. Reich, C. P. Burnstad, and D. L. Anderson all of their interests in said contract with full authority to make collections from all subscribers and use said collections as per contract.

“The Hastings Industrial Company,

“MFM.

The evidence shows that when the creamery had been constructed and was put into operation, the company had no working capital. A small sum was borrowed from the bank for this purpose. It appears that the treasurer deposited all funds received, both from the sale of