G.C. S.F. Ry. Co. v. Patterson

24 S.W. 349 | Tex. App. | 1893

At a former day of this term the judgment in this case was affirmed without written opinion. It is earnestly urged by appellant's counsel, in his motion for a rehearing, that this court erred in not reversing the judgment, because of the admission in evidence of the testimony offered by the plaintiff to prove the decline in the market value of sheep in Kansas City between the 4th and 6th days of May, 1889.

The objections are that the testimony is hearsay, and that the witnesses had not qualified themselves to give opinions as to market value.

Appellant's bill of exceptions number 1 shows that J.C. Patterson testified, that the only knowledge he had of the market value of sheep at Kansas City on May 4, 1889, was what he had read in the market reports in the press of that date and what was told him by a man named McIntyre, a sheep salesman in Kansas City. The witness was not in Kansas City on the 4th day of May, 1889, and did not reach said place until May 5, 1889, and did not place his sheep on the market until May 6, 1889. Defendant then objected to the witness testifying as to the market value of the sheep at Kansas City on May 4, 1889, and the difference between such market value on said date and on May 6, 1889, because the witness showed that his knowledge of such market value was based entirely on hearsay; which objection was overruled by the court, and said witness was permitted to testify that sheep of the same class as plaintiff's were worth in the Kansas City market on May 4, 1889, $3.80 per 100 pounds, and were worth on May 6, $3.50 per 100 pounds, making a difference of 30 cents per 100 pounds; to all of which defendant duly excepted.

Bill of exceptions number 2 shows that the only information the witness A. Wheeler had of the market value at Kansas City was gathered from reading the market reports published in the newspapers at Waco, Texas, which reports were regarded by him as authentic, and he acted on them.

We do not think the case of Railway Company v. Maddox,75 Tex. 300, cited by appellant, is analogous. In support of our ruling, the following authorities are cited: Whart. on Ev., secs. 255, 447, 449, 450; Thomp. on Trials, sec. 380; Railway v. Perkins, 17 Mich. 299. In the latter case it was held that opinion evidence as to market value based exclusively upon newspaper reports was competent.

What has been said here will also apply to the case of appellant against John A. W.H. Russell, in which a motion for a rehearing will be overruled. That case is likewise distinguishable from Railway v. Maddox, supra; and under the authorities cited, we think the testimony complained of in the Russell case was admissible.

The other questions presented in the motion for a rehearing have been considered, but we conclude that our former decision was correct, and the motion for a rehearing will be overruled.

Affirmed.