Case Name: YOUNG VS. WALKER ET AL.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1839-04
Citations: 13 La. 262
Docket Number: 
Parties: YOUNG VS. WALKER ET AL.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 13
Pages: 262–264

Head Matter:
YOUNG VS. WALKER ET AL.
APPEAL PROM TÍIE COURT OP THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT, JUDGE WATTS PRESIDING.
Where the case presents no question but one of ownership, which turns upon mere matters of fact, and the evidence is multifarious and contradictory, the judgment of the inferior court will be affirmed.
This is an action to recover a raft of timber, which the plaintiff alleges the defendant took forcible possession of in the state of Arkansas, and brought to the city of Lafayette for sale. He alleges that he is the true owner, and prays judgment that it be decreed to belong to him, and in the mean time that it be sequestered.
The defendant, Isaiah Walker, answered separately; pleaded a general denial, and averred that he was the true owner, and prays to be restored to, and quieted in his possession of said raft.
The other defendants disclaimed ownership, and were made witnesses for the defendant on the trial.
The suit was first instituted in the Parish Court for the parish of Jefferson.
The testimony is indefinite and contradictory. It appeared, that the plaintiff got out and procured the timber for the raft, and that his tools, clothing, and bedding were on the raft when the defendant took possession of it.
It further appeared, that Young had sold or agreed to sell this timber to one Hodge, who died about the same time, and it was taken into possession by one W. Walker, as administrator of Hodge, who sold it as such, and it was bought by his brother, the defendant.
George Walker, who testifies to the sale to Hodge, also swears that Hodge declared he had returned the timber to Young, when one King wished to buy it of him.
Young endeavored to assert his right in Arkansas, by arresting and charging the defendant with a criminal offence, for taking the timber, but was unable, as is said, from local difficulties, to put the law in force.
where the case Fes,enis question but one of ownership, onmerematters of fact, and the ttfárions1S'"nd o™ judgment’ of the inferior firmed!"1 ea
Upon heaving the whole evidence, and examining many of the witnesses in court, the parish judge was of opinion the plaintiff was entitled to recover. From judgment rendered against him the defendant appealed to the District Court. ° rr
> On reviewing the evidence of the case, the district judge, after balancing much between the parties, in consequence of the conflicting and indefinite character of the testimony, finally concluded that the plaintiff ought to recover; and from judgment rendered in the plaintiff’s favor, the defendant appealed.
M‘Kimey, for the plaintiff.
W. R. B. Wills, for the defendant and appellant,
insisted that the defendant came to this state in the open possession of the raft, and publicly claimed it as his own. It is personal property, and bis possession is evidence of title. None but a good and better title could talce it from him. The plaintiff has shown none. His witnesses are interested, without credit, and their testimony contradictory.

Opinion:
Martin, X,
delivered the opinion of the court.
In this case, which originated in the Parish Court of Jefferson, the plaintiff seeks to recover a raft of timber, alleged to have been forcibly taken from him in the state of Arkansas, by the defendants, who brought it down to the town of Lafayette.
The defendant, Walker, filed a separate answer, denying all the facts alleged, and averring that he was the legal owner of the raft; he claimed damages in reconvention. The other defendants disclaimed any right to the raft. There was judgment for the plaintiff, and the defendant, Walker, appealed to the court of the first district, after an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a new. trial.
The District Court affirmed the judgment of the Parish Court, and the defendant took the second appeal. The case . 11 presents no question except that which relates to the ownership of the raft, and turns upon mere matters of fact. The appellant had the benefit of the testimony of his co-defendants, notwithstanding the opposition and bill of exceptions which the plaintiff took to the admission of that testimony. The evidence is multifarious, and somewhat contradictory ; and we have risen from a close examination of it with the impression, that the district judge correctly concluded, that ^e judgment of the Parish Court should be sustained.
It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the District Court be affirmed, with costs.