Riborado v. Quang Pang Mining Co.
Riborado v. Quang Pang Mining Co.
Opinion of the Court
Appeal from an order overruling motion for a new trial. This is an action for damages by Diego Riborado et ah, plaintiffs, against the Quang Pang Mining Company, defendants, for an alleged injury by defendants to the ditch and dam of plaintiffs. The plaintiffs’ ditch for about one thousand feet is upon the mining claim of defendants. The plaintiffs’ dam or dams, built for the purpose of turning water from Sharkey creek into it, are situated off and outside of the Discovery claim, owned and worked by defendants, upon old diggings, washed out and abandoned. The defendants’ claim, known as the “ Discovery claim,” is the prior location, and the plaintiffs’ ditch was dug across it without any express license. It was rather tolerated than permitted by defendants’ grantors, with the understanding that defendants should work their claim “just as if no ditch was there.” The ditch of plaintiffs was commenced in 1868, and they claimed
In the assignment of errors it is claimed that the fifth finding is unsupported by the evidence. That finding is as follows: “That in 1879 the defendants washed out what was called the lower dam of plaintiffs, and set fire to and burned the upper dam.” The error to this finding is alleged to be that the evidence shows that the plaintiffs’ lower dam was washed out in 1878, and never afterward repaired; that the dam burned was the remnant of the old dam; and that there is no evidence of any damage to plaintiffs from said burning. After a careful study of the evidence we are unable to say that there is error in this finding. The evidence brought up is in such a confused condition, abbreviated and often in broken sentences, wanting substantives and predicates, that it is quite impossible to determine as to many matters given in evidence. It is admitted upon the argument that there was a good map of the grounds in dispute in the court below. This map is not here. The locations of these dams were explained to the court below by reference to the map, which is not in the transcript. It is therefore impossible for us to say that the finding was not supported by evidence. To the further objection to this finding, to wit, that there is no evidence of damage from said burning, it is sufficient to say that the evidence of plaintiff sets the dámage of 1879 at $350. This damage resulted from cutting out the dam, and loss of time.
It is also claimed that the following conclusion of law is erroneous, to wit: The plaintiffs have the right to convey said water over the mining ground of defendants, by ditch and flume, to their mining ground below; subject, however, to the right of defendants to- work their mining ground over which said ditch runs, doing no unnecessary damage; subject, also, to the defendants’ right to recover damages from plaintiffs for such easement, if any occurred. We think this general proposition of law is clearly sound. The mining regulation quoted above has the force of law, and section 486 of our Code of Civil
Reference
- Full Case Name
- RIBORADO v. QUANG PANG MINING COMPANY
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Mikes — Customs and Regulations of Mines — Presumptions.— Miner’s customs and regulations once adopted are presumed to be existing and in force until the contrary is proven; and in actions concerning mining claims under section 486 of our Code of Civil Procedure proof thereof must- he admitted, and, when not in conflict with the laws of the territory, must govern the decision of the action. Appeal — Findings—Review on Appeal. — On appeal a finding of fact will not he reviewed unless the evidence upon the trial in reference thereto is fully and clearly reported in the record. Same — Disturbing Findings — -Irrelevant Finding. — If the findings of fact sustained -the conclusions of law, the judgment below will not he disturbed on appeal simply for the reason that some of the findings of fact and the conclusions of law are irrelevant. (Syllabus by the court.)