Benjamin v. Stremple

Treat, C. J. The facts of this case admit of no dispute. Twenty-one persons were members of a voluntary society established for their mutual benefit. They were without corporate existence, and held some property in common. It was placed in the hands of the plaintiff, one of the members, who was responsible for its safe keeping. It was taken from his possession by the defendant, also a member, and converted to his own use. . The plaintiff then brought an action of trover, and recovered the entire value of the property. The law of the case is equally plain. By the common law, one tenant in common of a chattel cannot maintain trover against a co-tenant, although the latter obtains possession of the article, and excludes the former from all participation in its use. The reason is, that the possession of one is regarded as the possession of both. But if one tenant destroys the chattel, or does any equivalent act, his co-tenant may bring trover and recover the value of his share. Brown v. Hedges, 1 Salk. 290; Heath v. Hubbard, 4 East, 110; Fennings v. Grenville, 1 Taunt. 241. Our statute has' so far modified the common-law rule as to allow one tenant in common to support trover against a co-tenant who assumes exclusive control over the joint property. Rev. Stat. ch. 56, § 2. In an action of trover by the bailee of a chattel, or one having a special property therein, against the real owner, the plaintiff can recover the value of his special property only; but if the action is against a stranger, he is entitled to recover the full value of the article, and he holds the balance beyond his special interest in trust for the general owner, to whom he is responsible over. Lyle v. Bartlett, 5 Binn. 457; Ingersoll v. Van Bokkelin, 7 Cowen, 670; Spoor v. Holland, 8 Wend. 445; White v. Webb, 15 Conn. 302; Chamberlain v. Shaw, 18 Pick. 278; Liroville v. Black, 5 Dana, 176; Strong v. Strong, 6 Alab. 345. In this case, the members of the association were strictly tenants in common of the property, each having an equal interest therein. They deposited the. same with the plaintiff for safe keeping, and he became responsible to them as a bailee. This gave him such an interest in the property as would authorize him to maintain trover against a stranger, and recover its full value for the benefit of the owners. In such case, he would represent the entire interest in the property. But this action is against a part-owner, and he is not entitled to recover the value of his share. He only represents the interests of the other tenants in common, and he can only recover to the extent of their interests in the property. The value of the defendant’s share should be excluded in the assessment of damages. It would be a great absurdity to permit the plaintiff to recover the whole value of the property, when he would hold a portion of the amount recovered as so much money had and received to the use of the defendant. To avoid circuity of action, the law allows the value of the defendant’s share to go in mitigation of damages. Upon the evidence, the plaintiff was clearly entitled to recover the full value of the property, after deducting the value of the defendant’s interest therein. But the court charged the jury, that they might find for the plaintiff the entire value, and they acted upon the instruction. The damages were therefore excessive; and the judgment must be reversed, and the cause remanded. Judgment reversed.