Rogers v. Hardy , 35 N.Y.S. 671 ( 1895 )

Per Ouriamb.

This is an action to recover damages for the' alleged conversion of personal property consisting of machines and machinery in a mill. The court directed a verdict for the defendant, and this is an appeal from the judgment entered thereupon and from the order denying motion for new trial. At the close of the case, the attorney of each party requested the court to direct a verdict in his favor. This was a stipulation that the court should take from the jury the facts and pass upon them itself. Koehler v. Adler, 78 N. Y. 287. This responsibility so devolved upon the court it assumed, and directed a verdict for the defendant, thereby deciding that plaintiff was not the owner of this property and that his testimony was unworthy of credit. Defendant’s original possession of this property was not wrongful; therefore, the onus was cast upon plaintiff of establishing his title.: Plaintiff told so many conflicting stories concerning his alleged ownership of the property, and failed to produce documentary evidence, which he claimed to exist, that would corroborate him, and there being testimony that so strongly points to the inference that the “ Charles E. Rogers & Co.” corporation bought and paid for this property through the plaintiff as its representative, and was in possession and use of the same from the time it was so purchased till the defendant acquired the title and possession of the mill in which this machinery was, that it seems to us the court was called upon h> so discredit plaintiff’s testimony as to fully justify the conclusion that plaintiff had failed to establish his title to this property.

The exceptions taken to the admission of testimony tending •to show that this - corporation was the owner thereof .are not' well taken, for this tended to- show that plaintiff was not the -owner. The other exceptions require no special attention.

Judgment and order must he affirmed, with costs.

Present: Yan Wyck and Osborne, JJ.

■Judgment and order affirmed, with costs.