Opinion ID: 690797
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mitchell's Involvement with Bartow

Text: 5 Mitchell, who is a welder by trade, planned to open a welding business in Roundup. Bartow owned and operated Bartow Welding, which housed several businesses including a welding and machine shop; however, Bartow had ceased operating the welding and machine service business in 1990 or 1991 as a result of health problems. Bartow Welding continued to sell and lease oxygen, welding equipment, welding rods, and steel. Because of Bartow's health, his daughter Debbie Hannum operated the business with the assistance of Bartow's wife Tootsie. 6 On February 17, 1992, Bartow and Mitchell first met and began discussing the possibility of Mitchell leasing or purchasing the welding business from Bartow. Discussions continued until the fire; however, Bartow and Mitchell had not reached a final agreement nor had any proposal been put in writing. 7 While Bartow and Mitchell were negotiating, Bartow allowed Mitchell access to the shop to look it over and check out the equipment. In order to reach agreement on terms and price, Mitchell needed to inventory the items and machines in the shop. On occasion, Mitchell's inspection included cleaning, or to a limited extent running, the equipment. 8 Although Bartow gave Mitchell a key to the back door, Bartow did not give Mitchell unlimited or exclusive access to the building. 1 Bartow's daughter was present at the shop almost every day, and she supervised the shop operations. Only Bartow, his daughter, and his wife had access to the office, which occupied approximately one-quarter of the building. Furthermore, Bartow understood that if Mitchell wanted to use the building for purposes other than inventory or inspection of the welding equipment, Mitchell would have had to obtain his or his daughter's permission. 9 During the negotiations, Bartow agreed to allow Mitchell to use the welding shop and its equipment to perform three welding jobs. The first two were business-related and the third was a personal favor. First, Bartow Welding accepted a contract to do some repair work at the local jail, and Bartow subcontracted the work to Mitchell. Second, as a good will business gesture that might benefit both Bartow Welding and Mitchell, Bartow agreed to allow Mitchell to do some free repair work for a local museum. At the time of the fire, Mitchell was not performing any work related to either of these jobs. Third, Mitchell sought and obtained permission in advance from Bartow and his daughter to bring his pickup truck to Bartow Welding to install a hitch. 10 On the day of the fire, Mitchell brought his truck to Bartow Welding. Mitchell pulled his truck into the shop and used the shop's band saw, arc welder, and welding rods to install the hitch. In the process of welding the truck's frame, the truck caught on fire. When Mitchell attempted to use the fire extinguisher, the fire spread. The fire caused extensive damage to Mitchell's truck and to the Bartow Welding building and its contents.