Webber v. Randall

48 N.W. 617, 86 Mich. 58, 1891 Mich. LEXIS 878
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedMay 8, 1891
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 48 N.W. 617 (Webber v. Randall) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Webber v. Randall, 48 N.W. 617, 86 Mich. 58, 1891 Mich. LEXIS 878 (Mich. 1891).

Opinion

Champlin, C. J.

This is a bill and cross-bill. In the original bill the complainant, Webber, states that he entered into a contract with Randall, which recited that Randall was the owner of certain lands in Saginaw county, Mich., which he desired to stock with Holstein-Fresian cattle, and that, complainant being the owner of such cattle, the parties agreed together that complainant's cattle should be taken by Randall, and placed upon his farm in Saginaw county, fed and cared for at Randall's expense, and that the milk and butter from said cattle should be-the property of Randall, to dispose of as he might elect, for the term of five years, at which time double the number of cattle, of like sex, age, and quality, were to be returned to Webber; and to that end it was agreed that the cattle which Webber turned over to Randall were of the ages described in said contract, and all registered in the Holstein-Fresian herd-book, or in the Holstein registry, as indicated; and that Webber retained as security the ownership of said cattle and the progeny thereof, except as otherwise provided. Randall further agreed that he would take such cattle on said farm, and care for them in a first-class manner, as such animals are cared for by good breeders; that he would himself become a member of the Holstein-Fresian Association, and cause all the progeny from said stock to be registered before the same [60]*60should arrive at the age of one year, except such bull calves as Randall might think best ttf dispose of without registry; that he would, at the end of said five years, return to said Webber, at East Saginaw, double the number of animals so received, of like ages, like sex, and like quality as he then received. It was further agreed that, for the purpose of valuing the animals, the bull.which was turned over by Webber to Randall was worth the sum of $100; that all the cows above the age of one year were worth $150 each; and all the heifer calves under the age of one year were of the value of $90 each. It was further agreed that said Randall, at his option, might at any time within six months from the date of the contract pay to Webber in cash, or in property at cash prices, for the said cattle at the prices above named, with interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum, in which case the interest of said Webber in said cattle should cease, and Randall should become the absolute owner thereof; but in case Randall within six months did not make payment as aforesaid, then said option should cease. And it was further agreed that, in case any of the cattle should die after being taken by Randall, the loss should be Randall’s, the title of Webber in said cattle continuing, as in case of a conditional sale, only as a security, and subject to the provisions of the agreement; and that whatever loss might be sustained from death or disease was the risk assumed and borne by Randall, and not by Webber; and Randall agreed with Webber that he would cause said cattle to be properly housed, sheltered, and cared for during the term; that he would take special pains to keep accurate record of their breeding, and that no impurity of blood should come to any of the progeny; that he would report to Webber from time to time, and as often as twice a year, the condition of the herd, with the names and [61]*61number of tbe progeny thereof, and, in case he did not arrange otherwise, he would at the close of said ñve years return double the number of cattle, as above stated. Randall further agreed that’ during the period he would not use any bull in said herd except with the advice and consent of said Webber, and that all advice or consent which might be given by either party should be expressed in writing and signed by the parties.

The agreement was dated on the 2d day of November, 1888, and was executed in duplicate.

The bill further states that Randall at that time claimed to be the owner of a farm of some 3,000 acres of land, embracing entire section 1, and the N. -J, and the E. of the S. W. J, and the W. of the S. E. £, and the N. E. of the S. E. i, of section 12, in township 10 N., range 3 E., and the S. -J- of section 36, in township 11 N., of range 3 E., and entire section 7, and entire section 18, and the N. W. J of section 19, in township 10 N., of range 4 E., all in Saginaw county, Mich.; and that the farm which said agreement alluded to was the farm upon the lands above described as the lands which said Randall desired to stock with HolsteinEresian cattle, and with reference to which the contract was made.

The' bill further states that on or about the date of said contract Webber delivered to said Randall, under and in pursuance of said contract, the animals named therein, namely, 23 cows one year old and over, 16 females under one year old, and 1 bull, making a total of 40 head of cattle, which, at prices named in the contract, amounted to $4,990; and that Randall received the same, and placed them upon the farm mentioned above.

The bill then charges that Randall did not keep the terms of the contract as agreed to by him, but, on the contrary, said cattle were neglected, and were not [62]*62properly fed or housed, and they were neglected so much that they have greatly depreciated in value, and two of the cows, as complainant is informed and believes, have since died in consequence of such neglect and ill treatment; that Randall did not, as complainant is informed and believes, become a member of the Holstein-Fresian Association, and that he has not procured all the progeny of said cattle to be registered, as agreed; that he has not reported to complainant from time to time, and as often as once in six months, the condition of said cattle, and the names and number of those registered, as aforesaid; that afterwards Randall sold and disposed of said farm, and removed the cattle therefrom, or so many thereof as were still living, to a farm, said to be owned by him, of 200 acres, in the township of St. Charles, only a small part of which is cultivated, and which is not furnished with conveniences for housing and protecting said cattle; that he is informed and believes that said Randall has neglected to feed said cattle to such am extent that they have become greatly depreciated in value, and that really they have been starved to a point which is cruelty on the part of any one charged with the keeping of cattle, and that complainant is likely to loose his security by the depreciation in value of said cattle; that sufficient care has not been taken to preserve the purity of blood, which in a large measure constitutes the value of these cattle, so that they might be registered; and in many other respects said Randall has neglected and refused to perform his part of the agreement, and has incapacitated himself therefrom by the sale of said farm.

The complainant prays that, to the end that the said cattle may be properly cared for, and that the lien of complainant for the purchase price thereof may be enforced, a receiver may be appointed to take care of said [63]*63•cattle, and to cause them to be properly fed and put in suitable condition for market, and then cause said cattle to be sold under the direction of the court, and the proceeds thereof be applied—

1. In paying the expenses of taking said cattle into possession, and feeding and caring for the same, and the expenses of'the receiver; and—
2. To pay the balance over to ,the.complainant to apply upon the indebtedness existing against said Randall by reason of the premises.

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Related

Ritzer v. Ritzer
220 N.W. 812 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1928)
Hardesty v. Naharkey
1923 OK 113 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1923)
Webber v. Randall
50 N.W. 877 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1891)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
48 N.W. 617, 86 Mich. 58, 1891 Mich. LEXIS 878, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/webber-v-randall-mich-1891.