Hassen v. Salem
Hassen v. Salem
Opinion of the Court
This appeal is the aftermath of a former appeal, Hassen v. Salem, 48 N. D. 592, 185 N. W. 969. In accordance with the mandate in that case, the record -was sent back to the district court for a retrial upon the question as to what amount remained due to the defendant Hodge from the plaintiff. In accordance with that mandate, it was necessary that the trial court pass upon and determine: First, what, if any, arrangement was entered into by and between the parties with reference to the farming of the land in question during the farming season of 1915; second, as to the amount and value of the crop raised on the land during such season; and third, as to the sums expended by the defendant Hodge in making permanent improvements upon the premises. A retrial was had and from the judgment and the whole thereof as ordered by the court on such retrial, the defendant perfected this appeal, and demands a trial de novo here.
Tliis appeal involves no questions of law. Its disposition here depends wholly upon a consideration of the record and a determination of the facts. The appellant contends that the findings of the trial court as to the value of the crop in the first place, and as to the value of the improvements in the second place, are not supported by the evidence; that in fact the value of the crop is much less than that found by the trial court, while the value of the permanent improvements is much greater than the value found by the trial court. The respondent contends that the findings are amply supported by the evidence, and contends further that the trial judge having had an opportunity to see the witnesses and hear them testify, his findings should not be disturbed unless manifestly contrary to the evidence.
The record is very unsatisfactory. There is much conflict in the testimony of the numerous witnesses. Notwithstanding that the case was sent back for a retrial on account of the uncertainty of the record, it is practically as unsatisfactory on this appeal as it was when first here. We must assume under the circumstances that both sides have exhausted their resources in the way of producing evidence. But there must be an.end to litigation, and owing to the uncertainty of the record, we are inclined in the main to adopt the findings of the trial court.
With these two exceptions we do not disturb the findings of the trial court. Calculating the value of the flax at the price of $1.50, we find that there should be a reduction in the value of the crop as found by the trial court in the amount of $2,323.50, and that there was due to the defendant from the plaintiff on the 12th day of May, 1916 the sum of $2,111.91. The plaintiff, Hammid Hassen, is entitled to a conveyance of said premises to him upon the payment by the said Hammid Hassen to the defendant, Solomon Hodge, of the said sum of $2,111.91 with interest at the rate of eight per cent per annum thereon from the 12th day of May, 1916, as herein provided, less the costs taxed in the trial court; that $100 thereof be paid within thirty days from the date of the remittitur herein, and that the remainder of said sum with interest be paid at such time or times within one year from the date of the remittitur herein as the trio! judge shall fix, having regard to the
Tbe case will be remanded with directions to tbe trial court to-modify tbe judgment appealed from accordingly, appellant to recover bis costs’in this court.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- HAMMID HASSEN v. SIDE SALEM, Solomon Hodge, and all other Persons Unknown Claiming any Right, Title, Estate, Interest or Lien or Encumbrance upon the Property Described in the Complaint. SOLOMON HODGE
- Status
- Published