Case Name: QUEEN v. BELL et al.
Court: New York Superior Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1893-03-06
Citations: 22 N.Y.S. 397
Docket Number: 
Parties: QUEEN v. BELL et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's New York Supplement
Volume: 22
Pages: 397–398

Head Matter:
QUEEN v. BELL et al.
(Superior Court of New York City, General Term.
March 6, 1893.)
Appeal—Weight op Evidence.
Where the evidence is conflicting, a finding by the trial court will not be disturbed on appeal.
Appeal from special term.
Action by Montgomery Queen against George H. Bell and another. From a judgment dismissing the complaint, entered on findings of fact, etc., made by the judge, plaintiff appeals.
Affirmed.
Argued before SEDGWICK, 0. J., and DUGRO and GILDER-SLEEVE, JJ.
H. B. Kinghorn, for appellant.
J. Stewart Ross, for respondents.

Opinion:
SEDGWICK, C. J.
The relief claimed by the plaintiff was that he be adjudged the equitable owner of a lease taken by the defendants in that name, and that they be adjudged to assign it to them. The ground, as claimed for this relief, was that when defendant Bell obtained the lease, with the other defendant, French, Bell was the broker and agent of the plaintiff, employed to obtain a lease of the kind that was alterward made. Apart from this ground, the plaintiff makes no claim. The court has found that Bell was not the plaintiff's broker and agent. The learned counsel for the appellant argues that this finding is contrary to the testimony. The conclusion argued for can only be reached by ascertaining that the credibility of the plaintiff and his witness is superior to that of the defendants and their witnesses. This does not here appear. The conflict between the parties was strong. There is no fact, or combination of facts, that determines the case in favor of the plaintiff, and the finding below should be sustained. Another finding, conclusive in its nature, must be sustained. It was found that the plaintiff gave up definitely his attempt to obtain the lease, before the defendants took the lease. This must also be sustained, on the judge's rendering of the facts.
Judgment appealed from affirmed, with costs.