21-1-7. Market value considered in estimating damages for deprivation of possession of property. In estimating damages except as provided by §§ 21-1-8 and 21-1-9 the value of property to an owner thereof deprived of its possession is deemed to be the price at which he might have bought an equivalent thing, in the market nearest to the place where the property ought to have been put into his possession and at such time after the breach of duty upon which his right to damages is founded as would suffice, with reasonable diligence, for him to make such a purchase.
Source: CivC 1877, § 1980; CL 1887, § 4613; RCivC 1903, § 2325; RC 1919, § 1997; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.1708.