the following statement is sufficient to convey the situation giving rise to the litigation: In 1895, the Fargo Mercantile Company was organized under the laws of this state with a capital stock of $50,000, for the purpose of conducting a wholesale grocery business at Fargo. The time fixed for the existence of the corporation was 20 years from March 15, 1895, but for all purposes of this litigation the corporation came into existence on April 1, 1895, as evidenced by the corporate seal. The organizers and directors were J. C. Hunter, T. A. Quirk, and C. H. Reineke. Of these, J. C. Hunter retained his connection with the business until his death in October, 1916. T. A. Quirk is still connected with the business, but in 1903 Reineke sold his interest to the defendant C. O. Follett, who succeeded him as director, later becoming vice president and manager. From time to time the stock was increased until the capitalization reached $250,000. The board of directors was also increased in number, and on April 1, 1915, the date of the expiration of the charter, the directors were J. C. Hunter, T. A. Quirk, C. O. Follett, and Croil Hunter. The plaintiff F. J. Langer became a stockholder in March, 1903, purchasing 50 shares at par. He later transferred a portion of this stock to the other plaintiff, William Langer. This stock subsequently shared ratably in increases of the capitalization, whether effected through stock dividends or cash. At dissolution, William Langer owned 100 shares and F. J. Langer 25 shares, the other stock being owned as follows: J. C. Hunter, 1,202 shares, Croil Hunter, 50 shares, H. F. Hunter, 50 shares, T. A. Quirk, 700 shares, and C. O. Follett, 373 shares,
The business was successful from the beginning. The first year it paid a dividend of 8 per cent. During the period of its existence it never paid less than that, and it ran as high as 50 per cent. It averaged for the entire period down to and including 1915 18.39 per cent. The most active managers of the business during the period of its growth were J. C. Hunter and C. O. Follett. After the expiration of the charter, April 1, 1915, the business was conducted the same as it had been before, without knowledge, apparently, on anybody's part, that-the charter had expired. Knowledge of this fact was first acquired in the latter part of July, 1918, when the Secretary of State returned the corporation report and check for the filing fee, with the information that the charter had expired. Upon receipt of this information, the defendants Quirk and Follett took steps to organize a new corporation, adopting the name Fargo Mercantile Co. in lieu of Fargo Mercantile Company. Croil
