Winsor v. Johnson
Winsor v. Johnson
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
This action was brought by the plaintiff against a large number of defendants for the purpose of foreclosing certain liens which had been theretofore filed against a lot of saw logs and a quantity of lumber. The
As to the defendant the Bank of North Seattle, the other question, and the one which under our determination thereof is decisive of the controversy as between it and the plaintiff, is as to whether or not a lien for labor upon or in securing saw logs will attach to the lumber into which such saw logs may be manufactured. If such lien does not so attach then it is conceded that the Bank of North Seattle is not liable to plaintiff, even although the liens held by plaintiff are valid and binding as against the saw logs. We feel constrained by our statute to hold that the lien upon saw logs cannot be so extended as to reach the lumber manufactured therefrom. Section 1679, Gen. Stat., provides that every person performing labor upon or w7ho shall assist in obtaining or securing saw logs, has a lien upon the same for the work or labor done upon or in obtaining or securing the same. Section 1680 provides that every person performing labor upon or who shall assist in the manufacture of saw logs into lumber has a lien upon such lumber. Construing these two sections together, they provide for two classes of liens. It is true that the opening part of § 1680 might be so construed as to cover the same class of work as is provided for in § 1679. But if we so construe it, we establish the fact that the legislature has unnecessarily twice enacted substantially the
As to defendant Crane: The record is in a very unsatisfactory condition, and it is difficult therefrom to determine the exact status of the controversy. However, in view of the offers to prove made by the plaintiff during the progress of the trial, and the action of the court in regard thereto, and the remarks made by it in connection with its rulings thereon, with the apparent acquiescence of all the parties, and in view of the statement of facts in the brief of said defendant, it sufficiently appears that said defendant Crane and the plaintiff and the owner of the logs entered into a stipulation or agreement by which the logs were placed in the hands of a special receiver to be by him sold, and the proceeds thereof paid into court for the pro rata benefit of the lien claims held by the plaintiff and the said defendant. That in pursuance of such stipulation and agreement the logs were sold by the receiver, and notes taken therefor in the name of one of the judges of the superior court. That instead of said notes being deposited
The refusal of the court to allow the plaintiff to introduce proof of such stipulation was error, and would require the reversal of the decree, and a re-trial upon that question, did not the full facts in regard thereto sufficiently appear in the record now before this court; but as it does, a new trial is not necessary, as this court can now direct the entry of the proper decree.
It follows that the action of the lower court in refusing the plaintiff any relief against the Bank of North Seattle was correct, but that it should have required defendant Crane
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Richard Winsor v. Thomas Johnson
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- LIENS ON SAW LOGS — ACTION TO ENFORCE — STIPULATION FOR SALE — TRUST-—EVIDENCE. Under §§1679, 1080, Gen. Stat., a lien upon saw logs cannot be so extended as to reach the lumber manufactured therefrom. In an action by the holder of lien claims upon saw logs to enforce the same against the owner and another lien claimant, a stipulation was entered into between the parties providing that the logs should be sold by a special receiver and the proceeds paid into court for the pro rata benefit of such lien claimants. The logs were sold and notes taken therefor in the name of the judge of the superior court, but instead of being deposited in court, were held by the attorneys of the defendant- lien claimant and the money appropriated to the latter’s use when paid. Held, That the defendant lien claimant could not attack the sufficiency of the notices of lien claims held by the plaintiff. Held, also, That it was the duty of the court to take jurisdiction of the proceeds of the sale of the logs as a trust fund, and distribute it in accordance with the stipulation, even although some of the parties thereto objected to such a course. The refusal of the court to allow plaintiff to introduce proof of such stipulation is error, which would justify a reversal, if the facts did not sufficiently appear in the record to allow a modification of the decree in this court.