Schweitzer v. Hanna

NewMAN, J. Several errors are assigned in the admission and rejection of evidence ánd in the charge of the court. None of them involve new questions or a new application of old principles. Nothing would' be gained by considering them at length. One error, presented by the motion for a new trial, is decisive of the case. It does not appear by the evidence that the respondent was entitled to the possession of the property at the time when his action was commenced. The property was in the actual possession of Euhnke at the time when the sheriff took it. Euhnke held it by virtue of the provisions of his lease. Probably the bill of sale and so-called lease are to be construed together as in effect a chattel mortgage, giving the right of possession to Euhnke until condition broken; for it does not appear that by the terms of the mortgage or lease the respondent had a right of possession until condition broken, and it does not appear that the condition upon which his right of possession depended had yet arisen. So, clearly, the evidence failed to show that the respondent had present right of possession when his action was commenced. Cobbey, Replevin, § 16; Frisbee v. Langworthy, 11 Wis. 375; Wheeler & W. Mfg. Co. v. Teetzlaff, 53 Wis. 211; Gage v. Wayland, 67 Wis. 566; Gaynor v. [320] Blewitt, 69 Wis. 582. The verdict should have been set aside and a new trial granted. By the Court.— The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial. Maeshall, J., took no part.