Oreamuno v. Uncle Sam Gold & Silver Mining Co.

Opinion by BbosNAN, J., Lewis, C. J., concurring. This is an action brought to recover twenty-five feet of mining ground, now held by the defendant. The plaintiff alleges that in May, A. D. 1860, he was the owner, and in the possession, of the ground in controversy. He also avers an ouster, and an unlawful holding by the defendant, in the usual and ordinary form. The answer admits the ownership and possession of the plaintiff, as by him alleged, and sets up affirmatively in defence of the action: First — That the plaintiff abandoned all his right in and to the ground before the commenoement of this suit; and [216] Second — That tbe defendant became owner of tbe ground claimed in March, 1861, and is still tbe owner, and in possession thereof. From the statement on file, it appears that all tbe testimony taken on tbe trial is contained in tbe statement. After a careful examination of this evidence, we fail to discover wherein it is competent to establish either proposition of tbe defense. Looking to the testimony in its pertinence and relation to tbe pleadings, and tbe verdict based thereon, tbe case is quite simple, and of easy solution. However a long series of instructions to tbe jury have been requested by tbe counsel of both parties, many of which seem to have little relevancy to the facts disclosed by tbe evidence, but which are calculated rather to mistify than clear up the real questions involved. These instructions demand a brief consideration from the Court. The defendant’s counsel takes exceptions to certain enumerated instructions, given at the request of plaintiff. Of these instructions the fifth, sixth and seventh relate to the force and effect of some judgment, execution and proceedings had under them, which judgment and proceedings were incidentally mentioned on the trial, but no where legally proved t,o exist, or to have taken place. Whilst it may be said of these particular instructions that they were in our opinion, irrelevant, still we cannot see that they have in the least degree prejudiced the case of defendant. As abstract proportions of law, they seem to be correct, and could not, in any manner that we can discover, mislead the jury. The eighth, eleventh and thirteenth instructions on the part of the plaintiff, with which also the defendant finds fault, have been properly given. They relate to the question of an abandonment at common law, and are a fair exposition of the law on that subject. We see no error, therefore, in giving the instructions set forth in behalf of the plaintiff, that would justify us in sending the case back for a new trial. This brings us to an examination of the questions arising upon the refusal of the Court to give certain instructions [217] prayed for by tbe counsel of tbe defendant, and tbe modifications of others by tbe Court. It will be observed, judging from tbe instructions asked to be given on tbe part of tbe defendant, that tbe learned counsel mainly relied upon tbe fact of tbe abandonment, for nearly all the instructions proposed by him are directed to that question. They vary in form, but are substantially burdened throughout with tbe same idea — an abandonment, if not in tbe common law acceptation of tbe term; then such abandonment or loss, or relinquishment of right as results from neglect to comply with tbe mining rules and customs of tbe district. “We think tbe question, in both respects was presented fairly to tbe jury, and that tbe rulings of tbe Court below on this point were as favorable to tbe defendant as counsel could reasonably expect. Tbe third instruction given at defendant’s request, is in tbe words following: “ To enable a party to maintain a right to a mining claim, after tbe right is acquired, it is necessary that tbe party continue substantially to comply with mining rules and customs established and in force in tbe district where tbe claim is situated, upon which such right is made to depend.” In tbe fourth instruction, tbe Court, at tbe request of defendant’s counsel, advised tbe jury as follows : “ An abandonment is a mixed question of law and fact. If in fact the plaintiff intended to give up bis claim and quit paying assessments, in pursuance of that intention, it was an abandonment in fact.” These instructions embrace tbe entire question involved, and submit tbe whole case fairly to tbe consideration of tbe jury. Under them tbe jury were at liberty to find a failure of of tbe plaintiff to comply with tbe mining rules and usages of tbe Gold Hill District, or that be bad absolutely abandoned tbe claim, and upon tbe finding of either fact, their verdict would have been for tbe defendant. In this view of tbe case tbe defendant has no reason to complain of tbe modifications of, or tbe refusal of tbe Court to give tbe other instructions subsequently asked. Tbe sixth instruction asked by tbe defendant is not law, [218] and was properly refused. A party who insists upon a forfeiture or abandonment, and relies tbereon to build up a right in bimself to the thing, franchise or easement, forfeited or abandoned, is, upon first principles bound to establish the fact, or facts, upon which his asserted claim of right depends. It is not necessary to notice the instructions further in detail. There is some obscurity in a portion of the instruction given by the Court below, in place of the seventh instruction asked by the defendant; but, in our opinion, this could not have in any wise affected or influenced the verdict. So far as the real'question in controversy is concerned, it was fairly submitted under the principles of law relating to the loss or abandonment of a mining claim, as enunciated by this Court at the present term, in the case of Mallett against the same defendant, and also in the case of St. John et al. v. Kidd et al., recently decided by the Supreme Court of California. The judgment of the Court below is accordingly affirmed. Mr. Justice Beatty, having been interested as counsel in a similar case against the Uncle Sam Company, did not participate in the hearing of this case.