Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance v. Ellinger

Mr. Justice Ball delivered the opinion of the court. First. Appellant argues that the verdict is contrary to the evidence; that the evidence shows appellee had set fire to his own premises, even though the same degree-of proof is required to establish a defense involving crime as is required in a criminal case. Germania v. Klewer, 129 Ill. 612; McConnell v. Delaware Ins. Co., 18 Ill. 328. There are in this record many circumstances of suspicion. But whether or not this defense was established, was a question of fact which was submitted to the jury, who heard and saw the witnesses and observed their demeanor while on the stand, and then decided against such defense. The trial judge, who listened to and saw all that was said and done in the trial, reviewed this question on the motion for a new trial, and found no sufficient reason to set aside the verdict. It is to be noted that upon this question the jury were instructed more favorably for the appellant than the law permits. By the 22d given instruction the jury is informed that it is not necessary to prove this defense beyond a reasonable doubt, “ but if you believe from all the facts and circumstances in the case as shown by the evidence, that the plaintiff did wilfully and intentionally set fire to the said property for the purpose of damaging or destroying the same, your verdict should be for the defendant.” This instruction is palpably wrong. Upon his attention being called to it after the jury had retired, the trial judge offered to recall them and to correct the error, but appellee’s counsel said, “ Let the matter go; we waive the error.” Appellant claims that appellee did not state to the jury his knowledge of the origin of the fire or of any of the attendant incidents. Its counsel say: 41 We did not expect him to open up that question on his original examination, but in his rebuttal testimony there is not a word about the fire. There is where it would properly be, and not in the original examination. We confidently expected he would be brought on in rebuttal as to his connection with the file, and his'whereabouts. But he came not. We were cut off from all right to inquire as to his whereabouts immediately before the fire. It was a clever coup” Appellee was the first witness called. His examination in chief covers twenty-eight pages of the record—his cross-examination covers forty additional pages. When he was called in rebuttal the cross-examination was waived. When first called he stated the date and fact of. the fire and the damage caused thereby. Had appellant desired to inquire into his acts and whereabouts that morning, it then had the right to so do. But apparently relying upon his being recalled to deny what Marshall Campion and others would say, appellant neglected this opportunity, only to find that when he was recalled the subject was. not gone into, and hence it was not then a proper thing to cross-examine upon. Under these circumstances it would have been proper for appellant to state his position to the court and to ask the privilege of reopening the cross-examination upon the direct examination. This was not done. The surprise of appellant arising from the manner in which appellee tried his case cannot be taken advantage of here upon this record. Again, it is said that the refusal of appellee to produce his books after the loss was completely adjusted, is ground for reversal. The adjusters had these books in their possession for weeks—for as long a time as they had desired. They were then returned to appellee. After appellant had refused to pay this claim, if Haines, appellant’s vice-president, is to be believed, a demand was made to again see the books. The letter of the policy had been complied with, and appellee had the right, if he so elected, to refuse the demand. The positive refusal of appellant to pay the loss was a waiver of all'right thereafter to examine the books. Appellant could not repudiate this contract in so far as it was bound to perform the same, and afterwards compel appellee to perform upon his part. The alleged object of again examining the books was to see if they contained an entry showing the shipment of twenty-one cases of goods by appellee to Racine, Wisconsin, a day or two before the fire. There is no evidence tending to prove that any such goods were so shipped, although it is to be presumed that the books and records of one of the common carriers whose line passed that place would show the fact, if it existed. It is not necessary for us to set out the details which appellant says tend to establish the fact, if it is a fact, that appellee burned his goods for the purpose of obtaining this and other insurance then thereon. The jury weighed all these items and found against them. Where the jury have determined the facts in issue and the trial judge has approved the verdict by entering judgment thereon, a court of review will not disturb the verdict and judgment, even though their correctness may be doubtful, unless they are clearly and palpably against the weight of the evidence. Probst Construction Co. v. Foley, 63 Ill. App. 494; North Chicago St. Ry. Co. v. Housinger, 70 Ill. App. 161; Bradley v. Palmer, 193 Ill. 90. Second. Appellant contends that the suit was not brought within twelve months next after the fire, as provided in the policy, and it is therefore not maintainable. The suit was commenced when the prsecipe was filed and a summons was issued thereon. Schroeder v. Merchants & M. Ins. Co., 107 Ill. 71; Eylenfeldt v. Illinois Steel Co., 165 Ill. 190. The policy declares that no action shall be maintainable thereunder “ unless commenced within twelve months next after the fire.” The loss occurred in the earlv morning of April 9,1896. In the afternoon of April 9, 1897, the affidavit in attachment was filed and a writ of attachment was issuéd thereunder. This suit was then commenced. Appellant contends that the above quoted provision enters into and inheres in the contract between these parties, and cannot be disregarded by the courts. The statement is correct. The question therefore arises, was the suit commenced within the time thus .stipulated % In this state the proper mode of computing time when an act is to be performed within a particular period from or after a specified time, is to exclude the day named and include the day on which the act is to be done. Ewing v. Bailey, 4 Scam. 420. The case of Roan v. Rohrer, 72 Ill. 582, is one in which appellee’s land was sold under an execution on the 9th day of September, 1871, and on the 9th day of September, 1872, appellee paid the money to redeem the land under a statute which provided that “ redemption may be made within twelve months from such sale.” The court say: “ When an act is required to be performed within a specified time from a day named, the rule is to exclude the day from which the time commences to run and include the day on which the act is to be performed. In computing the time for redemption in this case, the 9th day of September, 1871, the day on which the sale was made, is excluded, and the year expiring after that day would include the 9th of September, 1872, the day on which the money was paid by direction of the sheriff to the circuit clerk. (Citing cases.) It then follows that the money was paid in time.” This rule, in varying states of fact, is enforced in Waterman v. Jones, 28 Ill. 54; People v. Hatch, 33 Ill. 14; Harper v. Ely, 56 Ill. 189; Forsythe v. Warren, 62 Ill. 68; Protection Life v. Palmer, 81 Ill. 88; Pugh v. Reat, 107 Ill. 440. Under this rule there is no question but that this suit was brought within the time limited. Third. The further contention of appellant is that no declaration has ever been filed in this case sufficient to sustain a verdict for appellee. The position is that where the policy is set up m haeo verba, as is done in the special count filed at the time of the trial, all of the conditions which, if existent, will defeat a recovery, must be negatived. We do not so understand the practice. It will be seen from the statement of facts that appellee avers generally the performance of all of the conditions precedent, and that the loss did not happen by reason of any of the conditions provided against in said policy. This is the usual and accepted form. Puterbaugh P. & P., 140 (7th ed.). It is approved in Ætna Ins. Co. v. Phelps, 27 Ill. 70, and in Continental Life Ins. Co. v. Rogers, 119 Ill. 486. The instructions given in this case are more favorable to appellant than we believe is warranted by the law. Instruction Ho. 10, which was refused, has no foundation in the evidence. Instruction 24 was properly modified. There is no complaint that incompetent evidence for appellee was admitted by the trial court. The ruling by which evidence that other fires had occurred upon the premises of appellee was excluded, was correct. The general rule that evidence of a distinct substantive offense cannot be admitted in support of another offense, is laid down by all the authorities. Farris v. The People, 129 Ill. 528. The offer was not to prove that appellee had set fire to his premises on prior occasions, but merely ,to show that such fires had occurred. If the evidence had been admitted, then appellee was entitled to show how such fires happened in order to rebut the presumption that he had set them. The result would follow that instead of trying one law suit, the evidence of several law suits would be submitted to the jury. It does not require the citation of authorities to show that this is not permissible. Finding no reversible error in the record, the judgment of the Superior Court is affirmed. Affirmed.