McManus v. Louden , 53 Minn. 339 ( 1893 )

Dickinson, J.

By a written contract between these parties, the plaintiffs agreed to haul the “cedar posts,” to be cut on specified tracts of land, for which the defendant agreed to pay two dollars “per cord.” Having done the work, the plaintiffs seek by this action to recover a part of the stipulated price, which is claimed to have been unpaid. The issue to which this appeal relates is as to the number of cords of posts hauled, and this depends upon the meaning of the word “cord” in the contract. The plaintiffs claim that this word as used in the contract, has the ordinary, and well-understood meaning, — 128 cubic feet. The defendant’s contention is that, in accordance with a particular custom, in estimating the quantity of cedar posts the word “cord” designates a cubic measurement of 256 feet. The verdict, in favor of the plaintiffs, is to be regarded as expressing the conclusion of the jury that the evidence did not establish the existence of such a custom; at least, as respects the business of hauling or transporting such property. The question now before us, on this appeal from an order refusing a new tri,al, is whether the evidence required a contrary conclusion as to the fact of the existence of the alleged custom.

It seems that such cedar “posts” are largely cut and sold to be sawed into blocks for street paving, and that in general the posts are about eight feet long.

Considerable evidence was introduced, going to show the existence of a particular custom, in dealing in such cedar posts in this part of the country, to regard a cord as comprising 256 cubic feet. But we agree with the conclusion of the learned judge, whose decision is here for review', that the proof was so inconclusive as to the existence of the alleged custom that the verdict of the jury should not be set aside.

The word cord, in the contract, is of common use, and in general of well-known and unvarying meaning. Its meaning is of even mathematical certainty. It was not sought to be shown that its. common meaning did not prevail generally in this locality, but only that in the measurement of cedar posts it had a very different signification; being then understood as expressing the quantity of 256 cubic feet. The proof of the particular usage was opposed to the general and ordinary meaning and use of the word. To establish the alleged custom it was necessary that the proof should show a uniform use of the word, in this particular business, in a sense entirely different from its still generally prevailing signification. This peculiar use should appear to have been so general that all persons dealing in respect to the subject must be presumed to have known, and to have contracted with reference to, that customary usage. ■

While the proof ténded strongly to show a somewhat common practice in accordance with the defendant’s claim, it did not conclusively show that the practice had been so uniform that it could be declared, notwithstanding the opinion of the jury to the contrary, that it had ripened into a custom. There was evidence reasonably tending to show that the practice or usage was of somewhat recent origin in this locality, and that it was not uniform; that the term “cord,” or “single cord,” was still used, even in respect to cedar posts, in its ordinary signification; the quantity of 256 cubic feet being regarded as a “double cord.” It may be added, as was noticed by the court below, that the defendant’s own conduct was such as to justify doubt whether he understood the word “cord” as having any other than its general meaning. If it meant 256 cubic feet, he had overpaid the plaintiffs on the contract to a considerable amount. It appeared that the plaintiffs had no knowledge of the alleged custom or usage. The question was properly for the jury.

Order affirmed.

Yanuerburgh, J., being absent by reason of sickness, did not participate.

(Opinion published 55 N. W. Rep. 139.)