51 Iowa 13 | Iowa | 1879
The defendants objected to the testimony of each of said witnesses as to the value-of the mules, because the evidence was incompetent. The objections were overruled. This we think was erroneous. There is no possible ground upon which the ruling can be sustained. None of these witnesses were shown to be-competent to form an opinion of the value of the property. Statements of value are always more or less matter.of opinion except in 'questions concerning market value. This is one of the established exceptions to the rule prohibiting witnesses from giving opinions. The value of property cannot' be satisfactorily proved in any other way. But a witness should not be allowed to testify to his opinion as to the value of property without first laying a foundation by showing him to be possessed of sufficient knowledge of the subject to form an opinión. Anson v. Dwight, 18 Iowa, 241; Merrill v. Grinnell, 39 N. Y., 93; Bedell v. Long Island R. Co., 44 N. Y., 367.
Reversed.