Nation v. Littler ( 1898 )

Per Curiam:

The Littler brothers brought an action against S. Nation, P. Nation and Fred Nation to recover upon a grazing contract. It was alleged that the Littlers agreed to keep in a certain pasture for the Nations four hundred and thirty-four steers during the season of 1894, and that the Nations were to pay $1.90 per head for pasturage.

The Nations, in answer, claimed damages from the Littlers on the ground that the water in the pasture was not good or sufficient, as the contract required, and that they were, therefore, compelled to take the cattle out of the pasture and place them in another.

The testimony in the case is not preserved. It is stated in the record that the evidence was conflicting, there being much introduced in support of the claims made by the respective parties. There is a further statement that it was shown, and not denied, that defendants procured a new pasture, for which they paid $800; that the new pasture had plenty of grass and water, and that the cattle did not do well for the season, and made from $3 to $5 each less in growth and value than such cattle should have done if they had had plenty of grass and water for all the season.

The jury found in favor of the Littlers, awarding them $164.92.

The condition of the record does not warrant us in saying that error was -committed in the trial court. The general finding is in favor of the plaintiffs below. It does not appear that they agreed to furnish any particular quality or quantity of grass and water. According to the averments of their petition they leased the pasture for the season as it was, not stipulating'to furnish plenty of grass and water, nor that the cattle would do well throughout the season. The fact that the cattle did not do well for the season does not argue that there was a breach of the contract on the part of the Littlers. As against the general finding wfe cannot presufne that the plaintiffs below failed in their agreement, either as to water or grass. ,

In returning their verdict the jury undertook to divide the costs, assessing one-half to each of the parties. This part of the verdict •was properly set aside by the court. The plaintiffs having prevailed, were entitled to all of their costs, and the incorporation of the provision in the verdict did not defeat it nor require the granting of a new trial.

Judgment affirmed.