Sauls v. Denkman Lumber Co.

Iííolden, J., delivered the opinion of the court. This is a suit by the appellants against the appellee, Denkmann Lumber Company, to recover damages in the sum of three thousand eight hundred dollars for .the alleged wrongful cutting and removal of hardwood timber, other than pine timber, from certain lands OAvned by the appellants, and for the wrongful appropriation of firewood from said lands, and also for damages for injury to the land, caused by the use of a “skidder” in removing the timber. The trial court refused to allOAV recovery for the cutting and removal of the hardwood timber, and refused to allow damages occasioned by the “skidder,” except such as were caused by negligence, resulting in injury to the land; but the jury Avere alloAved to return a verdict for one hundred dollars as damages for doAvn timber, which Avas converted into fireAvood. From these rulings and judgment of the loAver court; Sauls appeals, and presents two questions for our decision. The appellants contend: First, that the court erred in refusing to allow a recovery for the hardwood timber cut — 429 — and removed from the lands; second, for refusing appellants’ right to recover damages for the injury done to the land by the use of the “skidder.” The determination of the questions presented depends upon the construction of "the deed executed by appellants to Batchelder in 1902, through whom the appellee, Denkmann Lumber Company,, derived title to the timber here in question. In order that we may better understand the proposition involved as we go, let us note here that the appellee lumber company contends that under the terms of the deed, which will be hereafter set out, it had the right to cut and remove all pine timber and all other timber, including hardwoods, that was growing, standing, or being upon the lands described in the deed; and that it had the right to remove said timber by the use of a “skidder,” and cannot be held in damages for any injury to the land on account of the operation of the “skidder,” unless such damage was caused by negligence. On the opposite side it is contended that under the terms and meaning of the deed the grantor conveyed only the pine timber and pine trees on the land, and that the deed does not convey hardwood, or timber other than pine timber, and that the deed does not authorize the use of a “skidder” in removing the timber, for the reason that it was not within the contemplation of the parties, at the time of the execution of the deed, that such a device or contrivance would be used in the removal of the timber. We shall now set out the entire deed in question,, so that it may be viewed fully in all of its material parts: “Por and in: consideration of the sum of twelve hundred and sixty-seven dollars and fifty cents, cash in hand to me paid by D. J. Batchelder, Jr., the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged upon the delivery of these presents, we do hereby convey and warrant unto him, the said D1. J. Batchelder, Jr., all pine timber and timber like trees now being, growing and standing on the following described lands, situated, lying and being in said county of Lawrence, in the state of Mississippi, to wit: The South one half of Northwest quarter of section fourteen, Township 5, North, Range 11 East and twenty acres on the west side of the Northeast quarter of Southwest quiar — 430 — ter, and five acres on the north side of the Northeast quarter of Southwest quarter, and thirty (30) acres on south side of Southwest quarter of Southeast quarter, and twenty-five acre on south side of Southeast quarter of Southeast quarter, all in section 14, Township. 5 North, Range 11 east, and Northeast quarter of Northeast quarter of section 23, Township 5 North, Range '11 East, and being-one hundred and fiinety-five (195) acres of good pine timber, together with the right to enter, cnt and remove the same within fifty (50) years from this date, with carry logs, log wagons) vehicles and contrivances. Also the right to construct and operate a railroad or tram road of wood, iron or steel over, through and across said lands. In consideration of the said premises aforesaid we do further convey and warrant unto him, the said D. J. Batchelder, Jr., a permanent and perpetual right of way of one hundred feet in width between parallel lines over, through and across said lands for railroad or other purposes.” . It will be observed that for one thousand two hundred and sixty-seven dollars and fifty cents the grantor conveyed “ ‘all pine timber and timber like trees’ now being, growing and standing on the following described lands,” and after describing the land upon which the timber is situated the deed recites “and being one hundred and ninety-five acres of good pine timber.” We are called upon to decide from this language of the deed whether the grantor intended to convey all kinds of timber and timber trees being, growing and standing on the land, or whether it was meant to convey only the pine timber on the land. After diligent search we have been unable to discover in any law book the descriptive term “timber like trees,” therefore) we must accept it to mean what the words usually and commonly purport in the particular sentence. When read in connection with the subject-matter of the sentence, to wit, “pine timber,” with the conjunctive “and,” which joins the two descriptions, “pine timber” and “timber like trees,” we must conclude that the grantor intended only to convey the pine timber on the land. In such a sentence the subject word “pine” qualifies the word “timber” and — 431 — also the words “timber like trees.” • It may be that the words “all pine timber” were sufficient to convey all pine timber being, growing, and standing upon the land, and that the words “and timber like trees” added nothing more than was already conveyed by the words “all pine timber,” and may be said to really mean nothing, yet it seems clear to us that the grantor used the words with the intent to convey all other pine timber in “timber like trees,” which possibly might not be included in the term “all pine timber.” At all events, he could not have intended to convey other timber than pine timber by the language used in the whole sentence, but meant to convey the kind, of timber only which was the subject of the sentence, viz. “pine timber.” In discussing the proposition, it may well be argued that the grantor had conveyed all of the pine timber on the land, when he used the words “all pine timber,” and that, if he meant anything at all in adding the words “and timber like trees,” he meant to include all trees, both pine and hardwood, on the land, and that, if the words “timber like trees” are construed to mean and add nothing, it Avould be to strike the words “timber like trees” from the instrument, and leave only those describing “pine timber;” AAdiereas, under the rules of construction, the court should give meaning to all of the words, if possible to do so, and construe the instrument strongest against the grantor. But we go upon the reasoning that, if the Avords “timber like trees” on the land are to control and be given- their full meaning, then the words “all pine timber will appear to be useless and meaningless, because “all timber like trees” Avould include all pine trees on the land as well as hardAvood. Therefore; if we must determine which shall stand and govern, all pine timber” or “timber like trees,” we think it clear that the words “pine timber” in the sentence denote the subject-matter, and should be given the preference and control in the construction, because they qualify the term “timber like trees,” and if only one term is to be given meaning and force, the one containing the subject, — 432 — “pine timber,” should prevail. If it were held that the words “timber like trees” supersede the words “all pine timber,” then under the Kerl Gase, 96 Miss. 827, 51 So. 3, oral testimony would be permissible to show the character of timber conveyed; but we think it unnecessary to show by testimony the kind of timber meant by “timber like trees,” because the preceding subject word, “pine,” determines the character of “timber like trees” to be pine timber like trees. The latter clause in the deed, “and being one hundred and ninety-five acres of good pine timber,” may not be material in the construction of the former sentence, because such clauses in deeds generally refer to the quantity conveyed ; but here it seems to have reference to the quantity, character, and quality Of the property conveyed, and may be considered as throwing some light upon the meaning" of the former terms. It aids to the extent at least of showing that the subject foremost in the minds of the parties was “pine timber;” and, while we do not go to the extent of saying that this clanse impliedly excludes all timber other than pine timber, still we think that, if it lights the way in any direction, it is to strongly indicate that the grantor was selling one . hundred and ninety-five acres of good piue timber at six dollars and fifty cents per acre.. However, we should reach the same conclusion in the main, if the deed had not contained this clause. On the second proposition, that the court erred in not permitting a recovery for injury done to the land by the operation of the “skidder,” we shall refrain from passing on this question at this time, because, first, it is unnecessary to do so, since the judgment will be reversed; and, second, as we consider it an important question, we would prefer that it be better developed by the record, and more fully presented and argued by counsel, before we decide it. However, it will not be out of place to point out that the appellant contends that, at the time the deed in ques- > tion was executed, eighteen years ago, the device of “contrivance” now known as a “skidder” was not in existence — 433 — and was unknown to the parties to the contract, and that it Avas not contemplated by the grantor that a contrivance of this character would be used in removing the timber; that in its operation the land is damaged; even though operated without negligence; and that the right given in the deed to remove the timber with “carry logs, log wagons, vehicles and contrivances,” contemplated only such contrivances as are similar to log wagons and vehicles such as Avere generally used at that date, invoking the rule of “ejusdem generis.” This contention may or may not be well grounded. We do not say; bnt if the deed permits the use of any kind of contrivance, for instance, a large war tank, in removing the timber then no damages could be recovered for injury to the land; but if only such device or contrivance as is similar to log wagons and such vehicles can be used in the removal, and the timber is removed by any other device not contemplated by the parties, then it may be that recovery can be had for the damage in excess of that damage which would have been done by the log wagon and similar contrivances. It may be that a “skidder” does no more actual damage than other contrivances used in 1902; but this we apprehend would be a question of fact, to be determined in the particular case. The appellee’s position that the deed gives a right to use the “skidder,” or any other contrivance Avhich was used at the time of the execution of the deed, or that may come into existence during the. life of the contract, Avhich is fifty years, if used in a reasonably prudent manner, so as to do no damage except that which is necessary and incidental to removing the timber, presents a view that, if not sound, is at least debatable. The judgment of the lower court is reversed, and the case remanded. Reversed and remanded.