Saye v. Hill

[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] February 10, 1915. The opinion of the Court was delivered by In 1888 or 1889, John L. Rainey conveyed a lot in the town of Sharon, York county, to a railroad company by a deed, which provided that the lot was to be used only for a depot site. The deed was never recorded, and the company did not use the lot for a depot site, but it was generally believed in the community that the lot belonged to the company. In 1901, the defendant, Hill, obtained the consent of the company to erect a cotton gin, grist mill and planing mill on the lot. The buildings were erected and machinery installed therein and some wells were bored and fitted with pipes and pumps for use in connection with the running of the machinery. This was done with the knowledge and acquiescence of Rainey. In 1904, Rainey brought suit against the company and Hill to recover possession of the lot, on the ground that it was not being used for the purpose for which it had been conveyed. In that suit, it was adjudged that Rainey recover possession of the lot and that Hill have until May 1, 1908, to remove his buildings, and that, on and after that date, he should vacate and surrender the premises to Rainey. Nothing was said in the decree about the machinery. Hill failed to remove the buildings or machinery within the time specified. In November, 1908, Rainey conveyed the lot to his daughters, the plaintiffs herein. Thereafter, and after he had been notified by the plaintiffs not to trespass upon the lot, Hill went on it and removed certain machinery, to wit, an engine and grist mill, and took up and carried off the pipes and pumps out of the wells.

This action was brought to recover actual and punitive damages for the conversion of the property and for the trespass.

The plaintiffs base their claim to damages for the conversion of the property on the contention that it had been so attached to the freehold as to become fixtures, and pass to them with the lot.

The engine, which was what is known as a stationary engine, was bolted to heavy timbers which were embedded in the soil. The mill was set upon and fastened to a frame work of heavy timbers, and the floor of the building was laid around it.

At the trial, the defendant admitted liability for nominal damages for the trespass in removing the property after the time specified in the decree above mentioned, but denied liability for the alleged conversion, contending that the property removed was his own. He requested the following instructions:

"1. That where a structure is placed upon land, not to promote the convenient use of the land, but to be used for some temporary purpose, external to the land, and the land is used only as a foundation, because some foundation is necessary for the business, then the structure and its belongings are not fixtures. Hughes v. Shingle Co., 51 S.C. 29,28 S.E. 20.

2. It is for the Court, and not for the jury, to construe all instruments in writing. The jury is charged that the deed offered in evidence will not, or did not, carry articles in the houses, or in or on the land, that were not fixtures."

The presiding Judge refused these requests, and, on the contrary, instructed the jury that: "If this mill and engine and things of that sort was a part of, or fixed, or attached to the house, if the house was built around it, or if the house was built there for the purpose of putting the mill in it and they did go there and put the mill and engine in it and attach it securely and firmly to the soil, then it became a fixture and he had no right to move it."

Under this instruction, the jury found for plaintiffs $750 damages, and from judgment on the verdict, this appeal was taken. We think the learned Judge erred in refusing the defendant's requests, and in giving the instructions above quoted. While the manner in which a thing is attached to the soil may be of some value in determining whether it is a fixture or not, it does not afford an absolute or conclusive test. The intention with which it is so attached is usually a more controlling factor. Yet all the circumstances should be considered, especially as they throw light upon the intention. Houses are frequently built and expensive machinery installed therein with every appearance of permanency; yet it is done under a license from the owner of the soil, or under a lease thereof, and under agreement for and with the intention of removal at the expiration of the license or lease. In such cases, they are not fixtures. Hughes v. Shingle Co., 51 S.C. 1, 28 S.E. 2; Hurst v.Craig Furniture Co., 95 S.C. 221, 78 S.E. 960; Rawls v. Ins. Co.,97 S.C. 189, 81 S.E. 505.

The decree in the case of Rainey v. Hill and others, in effect adjudged that the buildings, and, of course, the machinery therein, were not fixtures. Nothing occurred thereafter to change the status of this property except the failure of Hill to remove it within the time specified in the decree. But that did not forfeit his property therein. It is conceded, however, that it did have the effect of making him a trespasser, when he went upon the lot to remove it, after the expiration of the time allowed in the decree. But as we can not tell whether the damages awarded are solely for the trespass, or whether they included damages for the conversion of the property, there must be a new trial.

Judgment reversed.

MR. JUSTICE WATTS, having heard the case on the Circuit, was disqualified, and did not sit on the hearing of this appeal.