Maas v. Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co.

KebwiN, J. Error is assigned (a) in tbe exclusion of evidence as to price of tbe feed mill; (b) in admission of opinion evidence; (c) in directing a verdict for plaintiff. 1. Regarding tbe first assignment of error it appears that tbe feed mill was a second-band mill, and tbe plaintiff introduced opinion evidence as to its value. Defendant attempted to sbow on cross-examination and otherwise that tbe mill was bought about tbe time of shipment for $15. Tbe evidence was excluded. This was error. Tbe property not having a specific market value and tbe plaintiff having put in opinion evidence of value, it was competent for defendant to sbow what tbe property was purchased for about tbe time of shipment. Conklin v. Hawthorn, 29 Wis. 476; Watson v. M. & M. R. Co. 57 Wis. 332, 15 N. W. 468; Uniacke v. C., M. & St. P. R. Co. 67 Wis. 108, 29 N. W. 899; Allen v. C. & N. W. R. Co. 145 Wis. 263, 129 N. W. 1094; Wells v. Kelsey, [46] 37 N. Y. 143; Schacht v. Oriental S. & T. Co. 155 Wis. 121, 143 N. W. 1058. 2. Tbe second and third assignments of error may be considered together. The court directed a verdict on the opinion evidence of several witnesses who testified to the value of the property, placing it from $50 to $100. The court directed a verdict for $50, the lowest value placed upon the feed mill by any witness. Obviously the theory of the court below was that the jury was bound by this opinion evidence, therefore that the plaintiff was entitled to at least $50 damages. The opinion evidence was not binding upon the jury. They were at liberty under it to find a lower or higher value than the undisputed evidence showed. Such evidence is not conclusive on the jury. Moore v. Ellis, 89 Wis. 108, 61 N. W. 291; Head v. Hargrave, 105 U. S. 45; The Conqueror, 166 U. S. 110, 17 Sup. Ct. 510. The record shows that the defendant placed the value of the feed mill at $15 and offered to make such proof, which proof the court ruled out. It is to be regretted that a case of such small magnitude cannot be finally disposed of on this appeal, but we are forced to the conclusion upon well established principles of law that the errors complained of were prejudicial, therefore we cannot affirm the judgment. It is deemed advisable in view of the small amount involved that further litigation be avoided as far as possible. We have therefore concluded to give the plaintiff the option to take judgment for $15, the value placed upon the feed mill by defendant, and in case such option be not accepted that a new trial be ordered. By the Court. — The judgment of the court below is reversed, and the cause remanded with instructions that if plaintiff within twenty days from notice of filing remittitur serve and file a consent in writing to take judgment for $15, with costs, judgment be so entered; otherwise a new trial is granted.