Parker v. Sloan
Parker v. Sloan
Opinion of the Court
In the complaint it is alleged that the plaintiff, in February, 1911, indorsed! and delivered to the defendant a check for $239 on a bank in Idaho, which the defendant was to collect and pay to the plaintiff; that the defendant collected the money, but paid plaintiff only the sum of ten dollars. Judgment on this count was asked against the defendant for $229 and interest. For a second cause of action it is alleged that the plaintiff, in July, 1910, borrowed ninety-five dollars from the defendant, and that to secure the payment thereof the plaintiff gave the defendant a bill of sale of an automobile of the value of $2000, but of which the plaintiff retained possession until in August, 1910, when he delivered it to the defendant “to safely keep and preserve the same as security for said indebtedness.” It is further alleged that two days thereafter the defendant wrongfully and in breach of his agreement and without authority sold
The defendant, by way of answer and a counterclaim, admitted and averred that in February, 1911, he received $239 on the check referred to in the complaint for the use of the plaintiff. He further averred that between July, 1908, and February, 1911, he at divers times, and at plaintiff’s request, advanced and paid to him $357 which the plaintiff had not repaid except the amount received by the defendant on the check, and that $129 remained dfle and unpaid. He also alleged that in July, 1910, at plaintiff’s request, he loaned him ninety-five dollars, “and in order to secure the repayment of said sum” the plaintiff gave the defendant a bill of sale of the automobile, but which was of the value of only one hundred dollars, and that the ninety-five dollars was due and unpaid. He denied the sale and conversion of the automobile. He prayed judgment against the plaintiff for $129, and for a sale of the automobile to satisfy the loan of ninety-five dollars.
The case was tried to the court and a jury. A verdict was rendered for the plaintiff on the first cause of action for $229 and on the second for $379. The defendant appeals.
We think there was no evidence to justify a submission of the case to the jury on the second cause of action. The evidence bearing thereon is: The plaintiff had shipped to him an automobile at Salt Lake City. He borrowed ninety-five dollars from the defendant to pay the freight, and gave him a bill of sale of the automobile. He retained possession of it and used it, expecting to repay the defendant from rentals and hire. Business not being good at Salt Lake, he went to Ogden with it. There he used it for the same purpose. He accomplished but little there. Finally he concluded to go to Oregon, and left the automobile at Ogden with a Mr. Cole, who had operated it with' him. The evidence is in conflict as to the purpose for which the plaintiff left the automobile with Cole. The plaintiff testified that he left it with him only for safe-keeping until the plaintiff
Upon this evidence tbe plaintiff claims two conversions of tbe automobile by tbe defendant; one growing out of tbe transactions bad with Cole, tbe other tbe defendant’s giving bis chauffeur a bill of sale. We do not think either amounted to an appropriation of tbe car to tbe defendant’s use with intent to deprive tbe plaintiff of it, or that either constituted a conversion. Tbe defendant bad possession of it, and was able and willing to surrender it to tbe plaintiff upon payment to him of whatever amount was' found due and owing from tbe plaintiff. Tbe plaintiff made no demand or effort to get tbe car, and made no offer to adjust or settle tbe account between him and tbe defendant. He seemingly
Th judgment is reversed and the ease remanded for a new trial. Costs to appellant.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- PARKER v. SLOAN
- Status
- Published