Miller v. Browarsky
Miller v. Browarsky
Opinion of the Court
This case does not require extended discussion. The learned referee has given sufficient reasons for his findings. It is clear that but for plaintiff’s laches Jones would not have been able to sell the whiskey the second time; and the rule is well established that, where one of two innocent persons must suffer a loss, such loss must be borne by the person, whose neglect was the occasion of it. The plaintiff left the whiskey absolutely under the control of Jones, when, by reasonable caution, he could have placed it beyond his power to re-sell it. The defendant was a good-faith purchaser, without any knowledge of tire prior purchase and of the fraud of J ones. Having so purchased the whiskey, paid the tax, and taken it out of bond, we see no reason why he did not get a good title.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- W. H. MILLER v. H. BROWARSKY
- Cited By
- 8 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- (а) The plaintiff, in trover, purchased whiskey in barrels from a distiller, taking a bill of sale therefor, but leaving the whiskey to remain in the distiller’s bonded warehouse, the tax thereon being unpaid. (б) Subsequently, the distiller sold the same whiskey, giving warehouse receipts according to the custom of the trade, to the defendant, who was without knowledge of the sale to the plaintiff, and who paid the tax and withdrew the whiskey. 1. In such case, the plaintiff having by his laches put it in the power of the distiller to sell the whiskey a second time to the defendant, a purchaser in good faith, the latter had acquired a good title thereto.