State v. Minneapolis & Northern Elevator Co.
State v. Minneapolis & Northern Elevator Co.
Opinion of the Court
This case arises under the revenue law. The facts are stipulated, and found by the court as stipulated. The case turns entirely upon this question of law: Was the appellant, the Minneapolis and Northern Elevator Company, on the 1st day of May, 1895, under the conceded facts, the owner of 34,000 bushels of wheat in its elevator at Inkster, in Grand Forks County? That this amount of wheat was in such elevator on such date is admitted. The taxing officers of Grand Forks County assessed the same to and against the appellant, and, the same becoming delinquent, a citation was issued requiring appellant to show cause why judgment should not be entered against it for the amount of such tax. No question is made upon the regularity of the proceedings at any stage. On the return' day-the appellant appeared and answered. The facts were then stipulated, and upon the facts as stipulated and found the court-made conclusions of law in favor of respondent, and entered judgment against appellant for the amount of the tax, This
sonal property shall be listed and' assessed annually with reference to its value on the first day of May.” Counsel for the state concedes that appellant is not liable in any capacity other than as owner. The sixth finding of fact is as follows: “That on the 1st of May, 1895, and during the entire months of May and June, 1895, there was in store in the elevator of this defendant at Inkster, aforesaid, 34,000 bushels of number one Northern wheat, all of which had been purchased by this defendant from farmers prior to the 14th day of February in said year. That on the 14th day of February, 1895, in the due and usual course of business, this defendant sold to A. P. Thompson & Company, of Duluth, Minnesota, 150,000 bushels of wheat, of which the 34,000 bushels in the elevator at Inkster formed a part, and at said time, and in fulfillment of said sale, did execute and deliver to said A. .D. Thompson & Company its warehouse receipts for said wheat so sold, and, among others, its warehouse receipt No. 530, calling for 34,000 bushels of number one Northern wheat in its elevator at Inkster, aforesaid, being all the wheat in said elevator, and said warehouse receipt was in the words and figures following to-wit: ‘Charles A. Pillsbury, President. C. M. Amsden, General Manager and Treasurer. Minneapolis & Northern Elevator Company. No. 530! Minneapolis, Minn., Feb. 14th, 1895. Received in store at Inkster, N. D., thirty-four thousand bushels of One Northern wheat, subject only to the order of A. D. Thompson & Co., and the surrender of this receipt and payment of charges. The wheat represented by this receipt is fully covered by fire insurance for the benefit of the holder, and all charges are paid to May 1st, 1895. It is hereby agreed by the holder of this receipt that the grain herein mentioned may be stored with other grain of the same quality by inspection. Freight to Duluth or Superior guarantied. 34,000 bushels ic grade. Minneapolis & Northern Elevator Co., by C. M. Amsden, Treasurer.’ And that said wheat was, on the delivery of said warehouse'receipt, paid
Reversed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The State of North Dakota v. Minneapolis & Northern Elevator Company
- Status
- Published