Lampert Lumber Co. v. Thanning

Wilson, C. J. Tbis controversy arises out of an effort on tbe part of tbe plaintiff to- foreclose a mecbanic’s lien. One Tbanning, being tbe fee owner of a farm, sold tbe same on contract for deed to one Wienandt, wbo built a bouse tbereon. An estimate of tbe material required was furnished to plaintiff and it contracted with Wienandt to furnish tbe material at an agreed price, tbe material to be delivered as required. Tbe plaintiff made delivery of tbis material over a period of several weeks and tbe last undisputed item thereof was delivered December 3, 1920. Plaintiff claims a balance unpaid in tbe sum of $4,498 and it filed tbe lien on April 27, 1921. After tbe making of tbe sale of tbe materials by plaintiff, Tban-ning and bis wife conveyed tbe real estate to tbe State Bank of Dundee. Other defendants have liens. Tbanning and tbe bank contest plaintiff’s lien and claim that it was not filed for record within tbe 90-day statutory period. Plaintiff claims that it supplied on February 23, 1921, for tbe dwelling bouse and as a part of its contract, certain materials, to-wit: 248 ft. No. 3 D. & M. lumber of tbe value of $12.90. Tbis is tbe item in controversy and is of great importance, because, if this- item is eliminated, plaintiff’s lien is destroyed. W. A. Johnson was the local manager for plaintiff and represented plaintiff in all its dealings in tbis matter. Johnson testified that a day or two before February 23, 1923, be talked to Wienandt about his account and told him that “in order to protect ourselves we would have to file our lien so as to be on tbe safe side.” He said that Weinandt then told him that be needed material to finish walls [314] in the basement and that he would get that and that would extend the lien rights for 90 days more while they were consummating a loan from which the account would be‘paid. In reference to this Johnson testified as follows: “Q. And you say that Mr. Weinandt told you that he wanted this additional material for that purpose? “A. Yes, sir. “Q. Now, after that conversation what occurred in reference to the order itself? “A. On that day Mr. Weinandt said he would come and get this material, but for some reason was unable to come the next day so he telephoned, telling me to lay aside and charge to his account this material and he would be in and get it. “Q. When he so telephoned you, what did you do? “A. I done just what he ordered me to do, laid aside the number of pieces called for there, 31 1x6, 16 dressed and matched material, and charged it on that original slip and carried it to the journal from there, and the final entry is in the ledger. “Q. And those things you did on Feb. 23rd? “A. I did. “Q. Now, how did you set aside this material; just what did you do towards setting it aside? “A. Separated it from the original or stock pile of boards to one side, that was vacant; marked the number of pieces with his name and the date thereon. “Q. And where in your establishment did you place that pile? “A. In one of the store-rooms. “Q. Where with reference to the door? “A. Right in front of the door. “Q. You have a series of doors there, haven’t you? “A. Yes. “Q. Doors through which deliveries are made, leading doors, as you call them? “A. Yes. “Q. How close to this leading door did you place this material? [315] “A. We have a walking space of four or five feet to get by; it was that close. “Q. And that was completely separated from any other material you had there? “A. It was. “Q. And you say you put Weinandt’s name on it and the number of pieces. How did you put that on? “A. With my regular lumber crayon. “Q. You mean you wrote it on some of the lumber? “A. Yes, right on top of the pile. “Q. Did Mr. Weinandt come and get it? “A. He did not. “Q. Did he ever get it? “A. Not to my knowledge. “Q. When did you cease to be connected with the Lambert Lumber Co.? “A. On February 15, 1922.” Johnson testified that Weinandt ordered the 31 pieces himself and told him to set them aside, and that he needed it, and that he would order it so as to extend the lien rights 90 days. As opposed to this weinandt testified in reference to the talk that Johnson asked him to get more lumber so as to extend the time to file the lien, but that he told Johnson he did not need any lumber as the home was completed. Weinandt further said: “He said * * * he was going to see Thanning * * * and then he would let me know what Thanning had said * * * he called me over the telephone * * * he said he had talked with Thanning and Thanning said he should call me up and tell me to order some more lumber. I told him if Thanning said I should get some more lumber he better save it for me, I would be up after it.” Thanning testified that he did not have any such talk with Johnson. The trial court found that plaintiff did not on February 23, 1921, or at any time, sell and deliver to Weinandt or to Thanning the 248 ft. No. 3 D. & M. boards and that no such item of materials [316] was purchased from plaintiff and that such material was not used in the building. Plaintiff moved for amended findings or for a new trial. The court denied the motion. Plaintiff now appeals from the judgment entered. It is not necessary to discuss the claim of the plaintiff as to whether or not the facts as disclosed by its claim would constitute a lienable item. Of course a- lien may be had for material not actually used on the premises. Burns v. Sewell, 48 Minn. 425, 51 N. W. 224; Combination S. & I. Co. v. St. Paul City Ry. Co. 52 Minn. 203, 53 N. W. 1144; John Paul Lbr. Co. v. Hormel, 61 Minn. 303, 63 N. W. 718; Thompson-McDonald Lumber Co. v. Morawetz, 127 Minn. 277, 149 N. W. 300, L. R. A. 1915E, 302; Lamoreaux v. Andersch, 128 Minn. 261, 150 N. W. 908, L. R. A. 1915D, 204; Minneapolis Sash & Door Co. v. Hedden, 131 Minn. 31, 154 N. W. 511. Likewise title to personal property may pass without delivery. Rail v. Little Falls Lbr. Co. 47 Minn. 422, 50 N. W. 471; 35 Cyc. 191. The difficulty in the instant case is that the trial court has found as a fact that plaintiff did not sell this disputed item and that no such item was purchased. This finding necessarily means that the court as a trier of fact has concluded that the testimony of the witness Johnson does not outweigh the testimony that is opposed to it. In this, respect the plaintiff failed to sustain the burden of proof. The court had ample opportunity to find reasons for discrediting the testimony of Johnson. The testimony was conflicting. In fact, there was a sharp conflict. It could not be reconciled. Under such conditions we could not interfere with the findings of the trial court without departing from the wellsettled rule to the effect that, where there is evidence to sustain the findings of the trial court, this court cannot interfere. The decision of the trial court on this question of fact determines the case. State v. Marshall, 157 Minn. 507, 196 N. W. 819. Affirmed.