Rushfeldt v. Tall

137 Minn. 281 | Minn. | 1917

Hallam, J.

The question in this ease arises on a counterclaim. In the fall of 1913, defendant, a farmer in Clay county, had about 1,200 bushels of potatoes in piles and pits in his field, partially protected from frost. Plaintiff, in connection with a potato buyer named Augustein, called on defendant and had some verbal negotiation looking toward the purchase of defendant’s potatoes. The negotiation was not effective because the statute of frauds was not complied with. Soon after this negotiation some of the potatoes were damaged by frost. Plaintiff and the potato buyer then refused to accept the potatoes pursuant to their verbal negotiation. A later understanding was arrived at, however, by which defendant was to haul the potatoes to plaintiff’s cellar at Hawley, Minnesota, and this was done. Plaintiff received the potatoes and disposed of them. It is conceded that defendant is entitled to recover the reasonable value of the potatoes received. The jury found a verdict for $576.25 in favor of the defendant. This verdict apparently fixed the value of the potatoes at $500 and the remainder of the verdict was interest thereon. The question on this appeal is, whether there was evidence sufficient to sustain a recovery for this amount.

As to the amount of potatoes, the testimony on the part of defendant was that he sorted out the frozen potatoes as best he could before taking them to Hawley. About 200 bushels were sorted out. Not all of the frozen potatoes were taken out, for it was difficult to determine what potatoes were damaged by frost. Ten hundred and twenty-five bushels were delivered at Hawley. Plaintiff caused these to be sorted again while in his cellar. Some were frozen while in this cellar. The evidence is not decisive as to how many were so frozen, nor as to how many were sorted out there. One witness estimated that 20 per cent were sorted out.

As to value, the court instructed the jury, that they might take into account “the prices prevailing at the time the potatoes were actually delivered and from thence on until they were finally disposed of * * * and then allow what you believe to be a fair compensation to Mr. Tall for the potatoes.” No exception was taken to this charge and it is the law of the case. Plaintiff sold the potatoes early in April. The evidence is that during February and March potatoes were worth 70 cents a bushel.

There is some uncertainty in the proof, both as to the amount of sound potatoes and as to their value at any particular time. The jury, however, under the instruction of the court, which was acquiesced in, was not obliged to assess their valuation as of the time of delivery to plaintiff’s cellar, but in determining their fair value might consider the prices prevailing from then until they were finally disposed of. We think the evidence as to amount and value was such that a verdict for the amount rendered may be sustained.

Judgment affirmed.