Opinion ID: 2136472
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Appellant's third assigned error questions the sufficiency of the evidence on the question of ownership of the three drill presses here involved.

Text: We have recognized that a rebuttable presumption of ownership arises from possession of property. In re Estate of Cornish, 233 Iowa 596, 599, 10 N.W.2d 85, 87; Stewart v. Wild, 202 Iowa 357, 208 N.W. 303, 304; Roy v. Duff, 170 Iowa 319, 324, 152 N.W. 606, 608. Relying on this presumption or inference appellant argues the evidence does not rebut it. The trial court's findings and conclusions are to the contrary. Exhibits 1, 2, and 3 are identified in the record as photographs of each of the three presses involved herein, a Sibley, a Hoefer and a Cannedy-Otto. Walter, who was familiar with the operations of both Thomas and Buffalo, testified Thomas had retained the three presses and that they were the property of Buffalo at the time he purchased control of Buffalo and for many years prior thereto. Lyle Miller, a former officer of Buffalo, testified the three presses shown in exhibits 1, 2 and 3 belonged to Buffalo at the time it came under the control of Thomas and they were brought to Iowa at the time Buffalo was moved to Keokuk. Robert Royer, a former plant superintendent for both Thomas and Buffalo testified the three presses had been in Buffalo's plant but when the move was made to Keokuk they were in the Thomas plant. John Hutchinson, secretary-treasurer of Thomas for sixteen years, testified Thomas' records do not include a sales contract showing transfer of the three presses from Buffalo to Thomas. Additional evidence in the record supporting the trial court's finding of ownership of the three presses in Buffalo need not be set out here. The record discloses evidence introduced by Buffalo which is amply sufficient to overcome any presumption or inference created by Thomas' possession. The trial court's finding of ownership in Buffalo is supported by substantial evidence. The rule is well established that the findings of fact by the trial court have the effect of a special verdict and are equivalent to the verdict of a jury. If supported by substantial evidence and justified as a matter of law the judgment will not be disturbed on appeal. In a law action tried to the court, as here, we will not weigh the evidence or pass on the credibility of the witnesses. Northrup v. Foster, Iowa, 204 N.W.2d 889, 890, 891, and citations. Appellant's third assigned error is without merit.