Singer v. Pearson-Page Co.

Me. Justice Bean delivered the opinion of the court. 1. The defendant assigns as error that there was no testimony to support the findings of fact, particularly as to the value of the horse and wagon. Testimony was produced tending to support the allegations of the complaint. Plaintiff testified as to what he considered the value of the horse and wagon, which evidence was admitted without objection from defendant. The value of the property practically was uncontested, but its ownership was contested, and the testimony in regard thereto was conflicting. When a cause is tried by the court without a jury, the findings may have the force and effect of a verdict of a jury, and cannot be disturbed if there is any competent evidence to support them. Upon appeal this court will not review the weight or sufficiency of the evidence: Savage v. Salem Mills Co., 48 Or. 1 (85 Pac. 69); Seffert v. Northern Pacific Co., 49 Or. 95 (88 Pac. 962); McClung v. McPherson, 47 Or. 73, 81 Pac. 567 (82 Pac. 13). 2. It is contended by defendant that under no circumstances was the plaintiff entitled to recover as an element of damages anything for the use of the pronerty converted, as that is not a proper measure of damages [528] in an action for conversion. In an action in trover the rule for the measure of damages is well understood. The title to the property, alleged to have been converted, is regarded as having passed to the defendant, who is liable for its value, together with simple interest. “The measure of damages, therefore, in an action of trover, unless plaintiff, by reason of the unlawful act of the defendant, has suffered some special loss or injury, which must be alleged, is the value of the property at the time of the conversion, with interest thereon to the trial.” Eldridge v. Hoefer, 45 Or. 239 (77 Pac. 874), citing 4 Sutherland, Dam. (3 ed.) §1109; 2 Sedgwick, Dam. (8 ed.) §493; Field, Dam. §792; Eggleston, Dam. §288. 3. In the case under consideration it is not alleged or shown that plaintiff has suffered any special loss or injury on account of the acts of defendant: Gove v. Watson, 61 N. H. 136, was an action in trover for the conversion of oxen which had been returned and accepted by the plaintiff. During defendant’s possession of the oxen he worked them without plaintiff’s knowledge or consent, and plaintiff sought to recover the value of such work as an item of damages, but the court held that the measure of damages was the difference between the value of thé oxen at the time of their conversion and their value at the time they were retaken by plaintiff. See, also, Flagler v. Hearst, 91 App. Div. 12 (86 N. Y. Supp. 308). 4. In Austin v. Vanderbilt, 48 Or. 206 (85 Pac. 519: 6 L. R. A. (N. S.) 298: 120 Am. St. Rep. 800), the holding of the court in an opinion by Mr. Justice Moore was that in an action in trover the value of property at the time of its conversion is generally the measure of damages. To ascertain that value, evidence of its worth within a reasonable time both prior and subsequent to the conversion is admissible—citing many authorities. We are therefore of the opinion that the court erred in assessing special damages for the use of the horse and [529] wagon, and the cause is remanded to the lower court, with directions to enter judgment for the amount of damages assessed, after deducting the special damages of $145 for the use of the converted property. Modified: Rehearing Denied.