Lyons v. Van Gorder

77 Iowa 600 | Iowa | 1889

Robinson, J.

The property in controversy is a mare which was detained by defendant for trespassing oh his premises. He notified the agent of plaintiff of the distraint within twenty-four hours after it was made, and requested him to pay the damages, and take the mare away. The request not having been complied with, the township trustees were notified by defendant to appear and assess the damages caused by the mare. They met accordingly, and assessed the damage at twenty-five dollars, and taxed the costs at $15.25. Defendant claims the right to hold possession of the mare by virtue of .the distraint and the proceedings of the trustees.

1. Evidence: township inai papeil’ i°st. I. The award of the trustees was proven by the introduction of the record of the original, made by the township clerk. Plaintiff objected to the record introduced, on the ground that it was no^ the best evidence. The law required the trustees to file their assessment with the township clerk, to be of record in his office. The township clerk testified that he did not have the original; that he had searched the records of his office for it, but had been unable to find it. We think this showing was prima facie sufficient to permit the introduction of a copy of the original. It is true, the clerk testified that he thought he had handed the original to a former attorney for defendant, who was then dead, but he did not seem to be at all certain that he had in fact handed it to him, and, if he did, it does not appear that it was received by the attorney on behalf of defendant.

2. animals: appraisement of damages by township jurisdiction II. It is claimed by appellant that defendant failed to show that the notice necessary to give the trustees jurisdiction to make an assessment had been given to plaintiff. The statute provides y . r that notice shall be given to the owner of i-,- . ° s*;ocli distrained, and that such owner may be the person entitled to the present possession of the stock, and also the person having charge or care of the same, as well as the person having the legal title thereto. Code, secs. 1453,1454. The evidence in this case tends to show that one Hinman had charge of the mare for plaintiff when the distraint was made; that he was duly notified of the distraint, bnt refused to take any action; that he was' informed that the trustees had been requested to meet to consider the matter, and that the person who had charge of the farm on which the mare was usually kept was also notified of the same facts. We are of the opinion that sufficient notice of the meeting of the trustees was given to authorize them to act.

3. wlien treated, as estrays. III. Appellant insists that defendant should have treated the mare as an estray, because her owner was not known when she was distrained. It is true defendant testified that he did not know who her owner was, but he knew who had charge of -her, and where she was kept, and only seemed to be uncertain as to whether she was owned by plaintiff or by his agent. Under these circumstances, the mare should not have been treated as an estray.

4. instructions: exceptions. IY. Appellant complains of the giving of the sixth paragraph of the charge to the jury. It does not appear that she excepted to it when it was given. Her motion for a new trial alleged error in gjvjng ^at paragraph, but did not state the ground of her objection. It cannot, therefore, be further considered.

Y. Other questions are discussed by counsel, but are not of sufficient interest to be set out in detail. We have examined the record with care, but do not find any prejudicial error of which the plaintiff can complain.

Affirmed.