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106 Me. 542

Coffin v. Robinson

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Decided June 29, 1910

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine · decided 1910-06-29

On report. Assumpsit on account annexed for use of a wharf and lumber yard on Pleasant River, and for use of dams, brows, flowage, etc., in driving logs in the river above. Plea, the general issue. At the conclusion of the evidence, the case was reported to the Law Court for determination and in case the defendant was found liable, to assess damages in such an amount as the evidence warrants.” The case is stated in the opinion.

Relies on Lamprey v. Nelson · Ocqueoc Improvement Co. v. Mosher

Judgment for defendant · Decided 1910-06-29

Emery, C. J.

¶1The items of the plaintiff’s account annexed are all for use and occupation, and fall into two groups, those for the use of a wharf and lumber yard on Pleasant River, and those for the use of dams, brows, flowage, etc., in driving logs in the river above.

¶2As to the first group, the preponderance of the evidence is that full payment was made therefor. As to the second group, we do not find sufficient evidence that the defendant promised to pay the plaintiff anything for what use he made of the dams, etc., for log driving purposes. The mere use of them did not imply any promise *543to pay for such use. The defendant in driving his logs down the river was entitled to use the river as he found it. The plaintiff showed no franchise to charge for the use of the dams, etc., and without evidence of such franchise or of an agreement to pay, the plaintiff cannot recover. Ocqueoc Improvement Co. v. Mosher, 101 Mich. 473. Lamprey v. Nelson, 24 Minn. 304.

¶3Judgment for defendant.

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