Tuttle v. White

46 Mich. 485 | Mich. | 1881

Marston, O. J.

The action in this case was teoyer. The ■ defendants purchased the logs in question from Sheridan & Hamilton, who cut them upon plaintiff’s lands, and who were unquestionably trespassers in so doing. They, Shei’idan & Hamilton, made no claim or pretence of having cut the logs under circumstances tending even to show good faith on their part. Sheridan & Hamilton sold the logs to defendants, afloat in Black creek. It was claimed, and we . shall so assume, that defendants in making the purchase acted in entire good faith; they, afterwards run the logs \ into Elat river and there sold them at an advanced price. The material question relates to the rule laid down as to the proper measure of damages. The court charged the jury in substance, that if the defendants in purchasing these logs acted in good faith, the rule would be either the value of the logs where they were cut on the ground, with the addition of any profit there might be in handling them and bringing them to Flat river, or the value at Flat River deducting the cost of bringing them there.

We are of opinion that the facts in this case did not warrant the charge as thus given These defendants purchased from trespassers, and if they acted in good faith in so doing, all" they conld ask would be protection in what they should expend in money or labor thereon thereafter. A jfersoiri however in purchasing personal property runs his risk as to the title he is acquiring, and if he is unfortunate enough to purchase from a trespasser or one who has no title and can give none, he must suffer the loss or look to his vendor. To hold otherwise would be to give the trespassers the benefit of their own wrong, contrary to all the authorities. If these defendants had only made a partial payment for the logs under their contract of purchase, and the plaintiff herein was limited in his recovery to the value of the logs when first severed from the land, then defendants would be the gainers; they would have the benefit of the trespasser’s labor, and yet the latter could not maintain an action to recover the amount thereof5 or the balance of the contract price. The conversion by these defendants took place when they first took charge or control over these logs in Black creek, and they should respohd in damages according to the value at that time. The same reasons do not exist in this’ case to protect these defendants that did in Winchester v. Graig 33 Mich. 210, and Wetherbee v. Geeen 22 Mich. 311.

There are very many cases where the value of the timber standing, or when first severed from the soil, would be but] nominal, and to give willful trespassers, or those to whom they may sell, the benefit of any increased value put upon it by the original wrong-doer, and confine the owner to the nominal value, would but encourage the commission of acts of trespass, and tend to make purchasers at least careless as to the title they were acquiring. It is easy for any one' to claim that he has purchased property in entire good faith, and very difficult in many cases to establish the contrary, and if one claiming to be such, is protected to the extent of the increased value he may have in good faith added to the property, this is all he can fairly claim under the law. This rule in effect was held in Isle Royale Minting Co. v. Hertin, 37 Mich. 332, and much that was there said is equally applicable in the present case. We have not overlooked the case relied upon, among others cited, of Railway Co. v. Hutchins 32 Ohio St. 584. We have heretofore had occasion to examine the many cases there cited, and they do not lead us to any conclusion other than the one here arrived at.

¥e are of opinion that the judgment should be reversed with costs and a new trial ordered.

The other Justices concurred.