Bates v. Capital State Bank

121 P. 561, 21 Idaho 141, 1912 Ida. LEXIS 120
CourtIdaho Supreme Court
DecidedJanuary 11, 1912
StatusPublished
Cited by23 cases

This text of 121 P. 561 (Bates v. Capital State Bank) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Idaho Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bates v. Capital State Bank, 121 P. 561, 21 Idaho 141, 1912 Ida. LEXIS 120 (Idaho 1912).

Opinion

SULLIVAN, J.

This action was commenced to recover the possession of twenty-one Pacific & Idaho Northern Railroad bonds of the face value of $1,000 each, or in case delivery could not be had, their real value, alleged to be $29,496.25, which bonds were alleged to have been deposited with the Capital State Bank of Idaho for safekeeping, which bank will hereafter be referred to as respondent bank. It is alleged that said bonds were so deposited on August 23, 1901. This case was before this court on a former appeal. (See 18 Ida. 429.) On that appeal this court held that there were but two questions involved, viz.: “Does the complaint state a cause of action?” and “Was the action barred by the statute of limitatious?” The court on that appeal held that the complaint stated a cause of action and that said cause was not barred by the statute of limitations. A petition for rehearing was filed on that appeal, in which counsel urged upon the court the importance of deciding the question as to whether an action in replevin can be maintained against one not in possession of the property at the time of the commencement of the action. This court held that that question did not arise upon [147]*147the record as presented to the court on that appeal, and declined to decide that question.

Under that decision, the cause was remanded for further proceedings in the trial court. Thereupon the defendants filed separate answers and appellant moved to strike out of said answers certain matters, and at the same time filed demurrers to each of said answers. The demurrers were confessed by the respondents and leave given to file separate answers. Upon the filing of said answers appellant moved to strike out certain parts thereof, and also moved to strike out Said answers, and filed demurrers to each of said answers, which motions and demurrers were overruled by the court. '

It appears that appellant treated the said amended answers as containing cross-complaints and counterclaims and filed answers thereto, making certain specific denials and plead affirmative matter and the statute of limitations.

Upon the issues thus made the cause came on for trial before the court with a jury. Both parties introduced evidence and rested. The case was thereupon submitted to the jury upon the instructions given by the court and the jury returned a verdict in favor of the respondents and judgment was entered thereon. This appeal is from the judgment.

In limine, it is contended by counsel for respondents that this is an action in replevin, and cannot be maintained, for the reason that it appears from the evidence that the bonds in question were sold by the bank in 1906, and that from that time on neither of the defendants has at any time had possession, custody or control of any of them, and many authorities are cited on the proposition that an action in replevin will lie only against the party in possession of the property at the time the action was instituted. (Shinn on Replevin, sec. 164; Robb v. Dobrinshi, 14 Okl. 563, 1 Ann. Cas. 981, 78 Pac. 101, and numerous other authorities.) Under the provisions of sec. 1, art. 5, of the constitution, the distinctions between actions at law and suits in equity and the forms of such suits and actions are prohibited, and it is there declared that there shall be in this state but one form’ of action for the enforcement or protection of rights or the redress.of private wrongs. [148]*148(See, also, see. 4020, Rev. Codes.) Sec. 4168, Rev. Codes, provides that the complaint in all actions must contain, first, the title of the action, the name of the court and the county in which the action is brought and the names of the parties to the action; second, a statement of the facts constituting the cause of action in ordinary and concise language; third, a demand for relief, etc. In an action where one is entitled to relief at law or relief in equity, his complaint must contain a statement of the facts constituting the- cause of action in ordinary, concise language. This court held in Rauh v. Oliver, 10 Ida. 3, 77 Pac. 20, that under the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure the technicalities of pleadings under the common law have been dispensed with, and the plaintiff need only state his cause of action in ordinary and concise language, whether it be in assumpsit, trespass or ejectment, without regard to the ancient forms of pleadings, and that the plaintiff can be sent out of court only when upon his alleged facts he is not entitled to any relief either at law or in equity.

The plaintiff has alleged in her complaint that on or about August 23,1901, she deposited with the defendant, the Capital State Bank, twenty-one first mortgage bonds, etc.; that said bonds were her sole and separate property; that she has demanded the same of the defendant, the Capital State Bank, and of its receiver, Meholin, and that they refuse to return them to her, and she prays for a return of said bonds or their value. There is contained in said complaint a statement of the facts constituting the alleged cause of action in ordinary and concise language. But it is contended that since the evidence shows the bank disposed of said bonds in 1906, this action cannot be maintained; in other words, the action of replevin will only lie against the party in possession of the property at the time the action is instituted. Sec. 4271, Rev. Codes, which is found in chap. 2, title 7, under the title of “Claim and Delivery of Personal Property,” is as follows:

‘ ‘ The plaintiff in an action to recover the possession of personal property may, at the time of issuing the summons, or at any time before answer, claim the delivery of such property to him as provided in this chapter.”

[149]*149It is not there provided that he cannot maintain his action unless he demands immediate possession of the personal property, but he may demand such possession at any time before answer is filed.

The common-law action of replevin is abolished in this state and the provisions of said chap. 2, title 7, Rev. Codes, are substituted therefor. Under the common law replevin would not lie against a defendant who had parted with the possession of the chattel prior to the commencement of the action. The reason for that rule, as we understand it, was that’ the action of replevin under the common law would not lie without the issuance of the writ for immediate possession. Under our statute, however, the action will lie whether the plaintiff demands immediate possession or not. Said sec. 4271, above quoted, provides that the plaintiff may at the time of issuing the summons or at any time before answer claim the delivery of the property. Thus it is left at the option of the plaintiff whether he claim the immediate delivery of the property or not. And sec. 4272 provides where immediate delivery is claimed, an affidavit must be filed by the plaintiff setting forth certain facts, and he must also give a written undertaking as provided by sec. 4274. When that is done the plaintiff or his attorney (if plaintiff demands immediate possession) must indorse on said affidavit written direction to the sheriff to take such property from the defendant. (Sec. 4273, Rev. Codes.) Such written direction serves the purpose of the writ of replevin under the common law, which was a judicial writ and issued only by the king’s chancellor. (Cobbey on Replevin, secs. 604, 607.) The action was begun by suing out the writ. (Shinn on Replevin, see. 353.)

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Bluebook (online)
121 P. 561, 21 Idaho 141, 1912 Ida. LEXIS 120, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bates-v-capital-state-bank-idaho-1912.