Lindheim v. Abbott

DUFOUR, J. Alleging -that her furniture has been illegally seized for rent dne by her son-in-law, the plaintiff sued out an injunction against such seizure and also asked for damages. The reasons for judgment, given in refusing a new trial, show that the decision was rested exclusively on the ground of estoppel. We quote them in full: “The weight of the evidence is that plaintiff represented to the defendant lessor, Mrs. Abbott, that the furniture belonged to Dr. Cohn; under this impression she leased to Dr. Cohn believing as the result of plaintiff’s representations or conduct, that the furniture would secure the payment of the rent. Plaintiff, as well as Dr. Cohn and wife, had the shelter of defendant’s house for themselves and for plaintiff’s furniture. Plaintiff is estopped from denying that the furniture is liable for the rent. New trial refused.” The rule of law is that estoppel must be specially pleaded. Wood vs. Nicholls, 33 An. 744 (Subsequently affirmed.) *294 January 23, 1911. As there is no such plea in. the record the ruling of the district judge is erroneous. We must therefore examine the evidence which comes to us without any suggestion from the district judge as. to- credibility. Several witnesses swear that the furniture belonged to the plaintiff; policies of insurance are produced which corroborate this. Against this, the only proof offered, is the testimony of the lessor’s sister that when the house was rented, the plaintiff-told the lessor that the furniture belonged to Dr. Cohn. Neither this nor the fact that plaintiff made a mistake as to who signed the first, and who the second lease, is sufficient to discredit the plaintiff and her witnesses in their statement- that the property w-a-s hers. The ¡seizure, having been made after the property was removed -from the leased premises, was illegal. The -property wias not removed and the plaintiff was subject to no special inconvenience by the seizure; we think an allowance of $50 (fifty dollars), will sufficiently compensate her. Judgment reversed and it- is now ordered that there be judgment in favor of plaintiff and against defendants perpetuating thé injunction and declaring the plaintiff to be the owner of the property claimed by her, with fifty dollars damages ais -against Mrs. Abbott, costs of both courts to be paid by defendants. St. Paul, J., takes no part.