Johnson v. Garlick

Dixon, C. J. The judgment must be reversed and a new trial granted, for error of the court in refusing the fourth instruction asked by defendant. The plaintiff himself testifies that at the time he went to the defendant’s house and demanded the melodeon, the defendant did not claim to be the owner of it, but said that “ he had nothing to do with it.” The defendant and Carlton Garlick both testify to the same fact. The defendant likewise testifies that he informed the plaintiff that it was the property of his son, Carlton; and it appears very clearly from the testimony of all the witnesses that Carlton was the person [706] wbo claimed to own and bold it, and wbo bad it, in fact, in bis possession at tbe bonse of bis father, where be resided in tbe character of a mere gnest or lodger. All that tbe defendant did was what we presume any father or other person has a right to do, without rendering himself bable to an action in this form. When applied to by bis son for advice as to whether be should surrender tbe melodeon upon tbe demand of the plaintiff or not, be advised him not to surrender it. Under these circumstances, we think it very clear that tbe instruction in question should have been given; and, because it was erroneously refused, tbe judgment must be reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial. By the Court. — It is so ordered. JUNE TEEM, 1868.