Peterson v. Anderson

44 Mich. 441 | Mich. | 1880

Graves, J.

Anderson brought general assumpsit in August, 1878, to recover among other things for an alleged balance for putting in saw logs, and the jury returned a verdiet in his favor for $1116.63. Peterson then brought error on certain exceptions to the proceedings. The record is rendered ambiguous by much unnecessary matter, and by its want of connection and other perplexing defects. Two written contracts are often alluded to as Exhibits “A” and “ B,” and. papers so marked are attached to the bill of exceptions. But it does not distinctly appear that either of them was actually submitted to the jury. Another writing is likewise mentioned as bearing on the controversy, but is not found in the record.

It so happens however that the imperfections suggested ' are not fatal to the writ of error. The point made on the instructions to the jury relative to the item of $500 claimed by Peterson as set-off does not appear to be well taken. Peterson made a bargain with Esty and Earl for the purchase of certain land for $5500, and it was arranged at the same time between Peterson and Anderson that the latter should have an equal half interest by logging on the lands according to certain terms. Anderson found himself unable to perform according to this arrangement, and it was rescinded by mutual agreement.

It was contended at the trial by Peterson that it was part of this rescission that Anderson should pay or allow him $500 and that he was entitled to be credited for it. Anderson insisted that there was no binding contract in his favor for an interest in the land, and, moreover, that Peterson agreed to pay for putting in all the logs just as though there had been no other contract. The circuit judge was wan’anted in assuming that this item was in dispute and he submitted the subject fairly.

One of the principal issues at the trial arose upon the number of feet? contained1* in the logs for which Peterson should be held chargeable as between him and Anderson. The latter claimed that it was agreed between them that íme Charles H. Clark should scale the logs and that he did so; and the scale account made by Clark was given in evidence. Peterson, however, denied that he undertook to be unconditionally bound by Clark’s scale. He swore that lie assented to Anderson’s proposition to allow Clark to perform the scaling, but qualified his consent by saying that it would be all right if the scaling was done to satisfaction, and he contended that it was not so done. It was for the jury to pass on these conflicting versions and ascertain which was true, and it was not competent to shut out anything on an assumption that one was correct rather than the other.

The counsel on the part of Paterson, following up his explanation, produced evidence that Lewis & Coveil, by authority of these parties, received the logs from the boom company; paid for driving according to the boom scale; sawed the logs and handled the lumber and, out of the proceeds, paid a large demand to Wilcox & Morgan for supplies to Anderson in the course of his putting in the logs, and some other expenses, and paid the residue to Peterson.

He then offered to show the boom scale on which Lewis & Coveil had so acted under the alleged approbation of these parties, and also the amount of that scale; and the circuit court ruled out the offer. It was admitted that the witness under examination, who was the secretary of the boom company, did not make the scale, and the ruling seems to have been based on that circumstance. But it was not important who made it. The material consideration was whether it was in fact the boom company scale, and the one the parties acted on as sufficient for their purpose, if such was the case, and it was part of the offer to produce that scale.

It was for the jury to say whether it was true, as Peterson represented, that it was agreed between himself and Anderson that this scale should guide Lewis & Covell in receiving the logs from the boom company and in making payments in the interest of the parties, and if they found such to be the case, or, in other words, found Peterson’s version to be the true one, they were then entitled to opportunity to consider the proposed evidence relative to the boom scale on the issue touching the number of feet, which ought to be charged against Peterson. Ortman v. Green 26 Mich. 209 ; Smith v. Kelly 43 Mich. 390; Busch v. Kilborne 40 Mich. 297: McCreery v. Green 38 Mich. 172.

In view, therefore, of the opposing theories, the evidence should have been laid before the jury under suitable instructions from the court.

We are not satisfied that the record is shown to contain any error except the exclusion of the evidence referred to.

The judgment must be reversed with costs and a new trial granted.

The other Justices concurred.