Opinion
May 24, 1944.
June 30, 1944.
Appeals — Review — Equity — Fact findings — Conclusiveness.
1. A decree dismissing a bill in equity upon the findings of the chancellor, which are supported by real and substantial evidence and have been affirmed by the court en banc, will not be reversed on appeal. [21-22]
2. Findings of fact by a chancellor which involve the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given to their testimony cannot be set aside in the absence of clear error. [21-22]
Argued May 24, 1944.
Before MAXEY, C. J., DREW, LINN, STERN, PATTERSON, STEARNE and HUGHES, JJ.
Appeal, No. 99, Jan. T., 1944, from decree of C. P., Lackawanna Co., May T., 1943, No. 2, in case of T. F. Quinn Coal Company v. Scranton Anthracite Coal Company et al. Decree affirmed.
Bill in equity. Before EAGEN, J.
Decree entered dismissing bill. Plaintiff appealed.
Frank J. McDonnell, with him Carl J. Burke, for appellant.
S. Augustus Davis, with him Leo W. White, for appellees.
This bill was filed to set aside and cancel an alleged fraudulent deed. We have examined the record with great care, and are impressed with the strength of appellant's case. The testimony shows however that the findings of the Chancellor, affirmed by the court en banc, dismissing the bill, are supported by evidence that is real and substantial. Even if we have a doubt of the correctness of that conclusion it would not be enough to justify our setting aside those findings, which involve the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony, and have the effect of a verdict of a jury. Nothing but clear error would warrant such action on our part, and it does not appear here: Cruzan v. Cruzan, 243 Pa. 165, 89 A. 876; Heffernan v. Heffernan, 344 Pa. 137, 23 A.2d 424.
Decree affirmed.