Hercules Powder Co. v. Rowan

Me. Justice Higbee delivered the opinion of the court. Appellee was operating a coal mine at Equality and gave appellant a written order for 800 kegs of powder at $2.05 per keg. The order was accepted, the powder shipped and received but never paid for. This suit was brought to recover the purchase price. The trial resulted in a verdict and judgment for appellee. Appellant contends that as the order was signed by appellee and accepted in writing by appellant it was a written contract which could not be altered or varied by parol evidence; that the court erred in allowing appellee to testify that appellant’s agent agreed to ship the powder on consignment with the privilege to pay for what he used, at the market price when used, and to return the balance. If an objection had been interposed and overruled it would have been reversible error. Vierling v. Iroquois Furnace Co., 170 Ill. 189. Appellant allowed the evidence to go to the jury without objection and is in no position to complain. Appellee’s Exhibit “1” was admitted in evidence over objections. It purports to be a statement sent by appellant to appellee showing that the transaction was not a sale but a consignment. The written contract was a contract of sale and if we assume that the exhibit was genuine there was no consideration to support a modification of the contract. The exhibit was not signed by anyone. If it were to appellee’s inter: est to insist the transaction was a sale the exhibit would be incompetent. We think it is equally incompetent as against appellant. Appellee’s Exhibits 3, 5 and 7 were self-serving declarations by appellee and were not competent evidence. His Exhibits 6 and 8 are letters written to him by appellant’s agent long after the contract had been made and should not have been admitted in evidence. If it were proper to receive the testimony of appellee as to what he claims the contract was, can it be said that he has shown a defense to this suit? On his theory of the case the powder was received on consignment with the privilege to him to pay for what he used, at the market price when used, and to return the balance. Such a transaction is bailment. 6 C. J. 1095; 24 B. C. L. 449. The same would be true if he was authorized to sell and return what was not sold. Lenz v. Harrison, 148 Ill. 598. Appellee proved that he sold, a part of the powder and the evidence shows that he turned the balance over to the Turns Coal Company, without authority from appellant. Any attempt on the part of a bailee, by sale or otherwise, to part with the title or possession of the subject matter of the bailment constitutes a conversion thereof and is regarded as putting an end to the bailment. 3 B. C. L. 112. If a bailee, intrusted with the goods of the bailor for a particular purpose, puts them into the hands of a third person, contrary to orders, it is a conversion. A wrongful intent is not necessary. It is enough if the owner has been deprived of his property by the act of another assuming an authorized dominion and control over it. 3 R. C. L. 118; Boldewahn v. Schmidt, 89 Wis. 444. If a bailee for a special purpose uses the property for another purpose he is liable as for a conversion. Fritz v. F. W. Hochspeier Co., 287 Ill. 574. An unauthorized sale is a wrongful conversion. Taylor v. Welsh, 138 Ill. App. 190. If the article bailed is used in a different manner, or for a different purpose, or for a longer period than was agreed, the bailee is guilty of conversion. Dolphin v. Davis, 183 Ill. App. 118; 3 R. C. L. 109. Where property has been converted by a bailee he is liable to the bailor for its value in an action of assumpsit. Ives v. Hartley, 51 Ill. 520; Mayer v. Springer, 192 Ill. 270-276. By his given instructions appellee recognized the fact that it was his duty to tender to appellant the powder that was not used. He made no proof of a tender. The nearest approach thereto was a suggestion that he was turning the mine over to Turns Coal Company, and that appellant should protect its interest by a replevin suit, or otherwise. Mr. Turns testified that the powder was turned over to his company and this was not contradicted by appellee. There was no evidence on which to base instructions in regard to a tender and the instructions should not have been given. In any view of the case appellee failed to show that he has any defense and a new trial should have been granted. For the reasons aforesaid the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded. Reversed and remanded.