Corliss v. Wenner

While excavating a driveway on Wenner's (defendant's) ranch, his contractor Anderson and Anderson's employee Corliss (plaintiff) unearthed a jar of gold coins and agreed to split them, but Anderson later fired Corliss and gave the coins to Wenner in exchange for indemnification. Corliss sued for possession, and the trial court rejected treasure trove and instead treated the coins as mislaid property belonging to the landowner Wenner, also finding both men were Wenner's employees.