By its proper officer or agent, or by the receiver of such company, a railroad company may claim to be the general owner of and replevy any of the metals or articles mentioned in section 4973.14 of the Revised Code, and metals with which they may have been confused, found in the possession of a person, firm, or company, when there is good reason to believe that such metals or articles were unlawfully taken from such company or its receiver. Instead of the usual averment as to ownership in the affidavit for a writ of replevin, it is sufficient for the officer, agent, or receiver of such company to aver that he believes such metals or articles were unlawfully taken from such company or some other company. The person, firm, or company claiming the right or title to such metals or articles in such action, prima facie shall prove a right or title to them, lawfully derived. In the absence of such proof, the company or receiver claiming such metals or articles shall be held to be the general owner of them, but any other company or receiver, upon showing that part of such metals or articles unlawfully were taken from it or him, shall be entitled to such part upon payment of a proper share of the cost and expenses of replevying it.