Cornog v. Wilson

Citations

• 231 Pa. 281
• 80 A. 174
• 1911 Pa. LEXIS 829

Syllabus

<p>Evidence — Writings—A Iterations — Negotiable instruments — Promissory notes.</p> <p>1. When it clearly appears on the face of a writing that it has been altered in a material part, it is incumbent on the party producing it to account for the alteration, and until this is done it is not admissible in evidence. This rule is more stringent when applied to negotiable paper than to other written instruments and in relation to it there is no presumption of innocence and the burden of explaining any apparent material alteration is cast on the holder thereof.</p> <p>2. In an action upon a promissory note which was on a printed form containing the printed figures 188 at the place for the date, and it appears that the figure nine had been written over the second eight, and the figure four added, making the date 1894, and that the statute of limitations was a bar if the year had been 1884, the note is not admissible -in evidence without proof that the alteration and date had been made before the execution of the note.</p>