71 P. 1062 | Utah | 1903
(after stating the facts). — The principal question involved in this appeal is whether these agreements are contracts of sale passing to Jones title to the sheep, or whether they are mere leases. As was said
Considerable expert testimony was taken as to the meaning of the expression in such a contract, “keep the old stock good.” Heber Bennion, an expert called for the plaintiff, testified that he understood by this phrase that the number was to be kept good out of the increase of -the old sheep, and this was considered a partial guaranty of the quality of the animals because a product of the old sheep; but that, if the increase were not enough to make up for a loss of the old sheep-, that sheep from some other source as near the same quality as possible should make up the number. Other experts testified that the expression “keep the old stock good” means that the same number and quality and ages are to be returned as has been taken out, but not necessarily the same -sheep¡ or their increase. Neither the plaintiff nor his assignors expressly authorized Jones to sell any of the sheep, nor were any of them present when any sheep were sold by Jones, although L. J. Mantle testified that they understood that some of the sheep were being disposed of, but the time he so learned does not appear. It may be a fair inference from all the testimony
We do not see that the defendants occupy any better position in this case than Jones himself would. The entire proceeds of the sale of the mortgaged sheep were remitted to the bank, and $1,500 thereof were applied in payment of Jones’ account. If said sheep sold for their market value (and that is a fair presumption), the bank would have gained nothing by refusing to ratify the sale. The bank got the money, and it does not appear that its position was less favorable as to revoking said sale at the time Beckstead, for the bank, took possession of the sheep, and was informed that they were share sheep-, than at any time prior thereto- and after discovery of sale of the mortgaged hex'd. We do not think plaintiff is estopped from making the same claim against defendant that he could make against Jones. While this case differs in -some of its facts from the cases of Woodward v. Ed-munds, supra, Robinson v. Haas, 40 Cal. 475, and Bellows v. Denison, 9 N. H. 293, we are inclined to the view that the principle of those eases is controlling in this.
Appellants contend that plaintiff was not entitled to recover in replevin in any event, for the reason that there
Complaint is also made of the value placed upon the property in the alternative judgment in case the sheep could not be redelivered. As there is some competent testimony to sustain the finding of the court as to value, this court
Hpon plaintiff’s supplemental complaint for the recovery of the wool sheared by defendants from the sheep claimed in the original complaint and for the increase from said
An order may enter affirming the judgment of the trial court, with costs to plaintiff.