Henry v. Manistique Iron Co.
Henry v. Manistique Iron Co.
Opinion of the Court
The action is trover for the conversion of certain buildings, wood, and camp equipage; the plea the general issue. There was verdict and judgment for plaintiff, and defendant has proceeded by writ of error for a review.
The plaintiff and defendant sustained contract relations, evidenced by the following writing:
“Shingleton, Mich., 9-15-04.
“ Mr. John Henry,
“ Shingleton, Mich.
“ Dear Sir: You may take the five teams, wagon, sleighs, chains and tools as inventoried by L. O. Paquin last July. If you will keep the teams in good order, wagons and c., in repair and use them for their keep until sleighing arrives. Also you may have the loose lumber at Camp No. 69, and the camp buildings on section 3, town 45 N., range 18 W., owned by us and build camps on section 31, town 46 N.., range 17 "W.
“Provided you will draw and load all the cord wood on cars now located on section 1, town 45 N., range 18 W., andón section 31, town46 N., range 17 W.
‘ ‘ In drawing this wood, you must pick up and load all scattering piles, and wood bottoms in a workmanlike manner, and commence loading as soon as there is snow enough for sleighing, loading the cars as directed, and properly care for the horses.
“ If you do as above, we will pay you 85 cents per cord for drawing and loading the wood, and give you the camp buildings when the job is completed, paying you as above, on or about the 15th day of each month for wood delivered the previous month. But in case you fail to load wood promptly as above, you are to at once deliver said above teams, wagons, sleighs and tools and the camp buildings erected on above described section 31, that we may at once go on with the work and complete the job during the winter of 1904 and 1905.
“ Furnace measurements on wood must prevail, and all above conditions complied with.
“Yours truly,
“ Manistique Iron Company,
“By R. R. Jenney, Superintendent.
“I accept the above proposition, and will comply as above.
“ John Henry.”
It appeared that plaintiff had mortgaged the camp buildings and camp equipage and other personal property to some third perstm to secure payment of a sum stated tobe “something like $1,000 or $1,500;” the mortgage,
There was evidence tending to show conversion by defendant of at least some of the camp equipment.
Because the court left to the jury the question of plaintiff’s ownership of the buildings, the judgment is reversed, and a new trial granted.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- HENRY v. MANISTIQUE IRON CO.
- Status
- Published