When a construction contractor finds a hidden box of cash and other valuables while working on a farm or in a motel, who owns it? This is one of those ancient property questions discussed in Talmudic and law school classes.

Appellate courts have answered that question the same way in two recent cases: Terry v. Lock Hospitality Inc., 343 Ark. 452 (2001), and Corliss v. Wenner, 2001 WL 1007928 (Idaho App.)