Case Name: Myron Shepard vs. C. H. Pettit and another, Administrators
Court: Minnesota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Minnesota
Decision Date: 1883-06-14
Citations: 30 Minn. 481
Docket Number: 
Parties: Myron Shepard vs. C. H. Pettit and another, Administrators.
Judges: 
Reporter: Minnesota Reports
Volume: 30
Pages: 481–482

Head Matter:
Myron Shepard vs. C. H. Pettit and another, Administrators.
June 14, 1883.
Conversion of Logs — Measure of Damages. — Rule of damages laid down in Nesbitt v. St. Paul Limber Co. 21 Minn. 491, followed.
Appeal by plaintiff from a judgment of the district court for Washington county, where the action was tried before McGluer, J., without a jury. A former appeal in this action by plaintiff was dismissed by this court. See opinion, ante, p. 119, for statement of case.
J. N. & I. W. Castle, for appellant.
Babcock & Davis, for respondents, cited Wooden-Ware Go. v. United tates, 106 U. S. 432; Weymouth v. Chicago dcN. W. By. Go., 17 Wis. 50: Winchester v. Craig, 33 Mich. 205.

Opinion:
(xiljtllan, C. J.
On a former appeal brought by defendant, the light of plaintiff to recover was affirmed. On this appeal, brought |>y plaintiff, the only question raised is as to the amount which he is ' ntitled to recover. The court below allowed the value at the place f conversion, less the sum expended by defendant in preparing the gs for and bringing them to market. The case comes within the rule laid down in Nesbitt v. St. Paul Lumber Co., 21 Minn. 491, and the rule adopted by the court below is erroneous, unless there be something in the case to distinguish it from that. Eespondent claims that it comes within the rule laid down in some cases, that when in good faith, believing that he has a right to do so, one wrongfully cuts and removes standing trees, the damages are the value of the trees on the land. The facts do not raise the question decided in those eases, for it does not appear that defendant acted in good faith, or in the belief that he had a right to cut the trees. He stands, on the facts found, as a mere wrong-doer.
' Let the judgment be modified, so that plaintiff shall recover the sum of $2,167.97, with interest from June 10, 1881, and costs.