Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. v. Burton
Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. v. Burton
Opinion of the Court
Action for conversion of a “Victory separator, feeder, and stacker.” It was tried to a jury, there was a verdict for defendant, a motion for new trial was denied, and from this order plaintiff appeals.
Defendant was the sales agent of plaintiff, authorized to act in Traverse county. By the terms of the agency contract, plaintiff was entitled to all property for which exchanges were made by defendant; and it is urged on this review that the property in question, by rea
The Town of Monson Threshing Company, in Traverse county, desired to purchase an outfit. The general agent of plaintiff (one Dumbolton) effected the sale thereof, which was within defendant’s territory, and to some extent the latter seems to have aided in effecting such sale. At all events, under the evidence, the testimony tended to show that the agent Dumbolton recognized the defendant as interested in the sale to the Monson Threshing Company, and agreed with him that he should have the property in suit in lieu of any commissions which he could claim therefor from the plaintiff, and it was delivered under such agreement. The evidence to establish this arrangement between the general agent and the Town of Monson Threshing Company was received without objection. The assignments of error by plaintiff’s counsel are based upon instructions of the trial court resting upon evidence that was received in the case, which was of itself reasonably sufficient to sustain the defendant’s claim of ownership and right to possession thus litigated, for it does not necessarily follow that the plaintiff could not waive the provisions in the agency contract, and, by an agreement independent thereof, transfer to the defendant the separator, feeder, and stacker for aiding in the sale of its property. Although the agency contract applied in this case it did not necessarily follow from its existence, and it cannot be presumed either that the general agent, Dumbolton, had no authority to waive any provision in the contract, or that, acting for the company, he had no right to make the arrangements relied on.
Upon the litigated questions in this case the trial court instructed the jury substantially that, if they found the contract between the general agent and the Monson Threshing Company was conducted independently of the agency contract between plaintiff and defendant, the latter must be regarded as the owner of the property, and that the transfer to him by the general agent was binding upon the principal. There was evidence to sustain the verdict, and plaintiff is not authorized,
Order affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MINNEAPOLIS THRESHING MACHINE COMPANY v. DAVID BURTON
- Status
- Published