Lewiston Turnpike Co. v. Shasta & Weaverville Wagon Road Co.
Lewiston Turnpike Co. v. Shasta & Weaverville Wagon Road Co.
Opinion of the Court
The only questions in the case arise upon the demurrer to the complaint. The plaintiff is the owner of a turnpike road leading from Lewiston, in Trinity County, to a certain point where it intersects a public highway in Shasta County, and possesses the right to collect tolls on that turnpike. The defendants have wrongfully placed a toll gate on the public highway, about a half mile from the point of intersection of the public highway with the plaintiff’s turnpike, and have demanded and collected tolls of persons who pass along the highway with their teams, vehicles, etc., and threaten to maintain the gate and collect tolls, etc. The plaintiff alleges that by means of the gate the highway is greatly obstructed, and that by reason thereof, the plaintiff cannot “ have or enjoy its said toll road or turnpike as it ought to be [have] done, and otherwise might and would have done; and has been and is by means of the premises deprived of the use, benefit, and advantage thereof,” and that the maintenance of the toll gate by the defendant will cause great and irreparable damage to the plaintiff. It is also alleged in the complaint “ that under and by virtue of said incorporation (the incorporation of the plaintiff) the plaintiff obtained the franchise or right to collect tolls on said road or turnpike, and has, since its completion, enjoyed said right, privilege, and franchise without any interruption, disturbance, or interference whatever.”
The complaint, tested by the familiar rule that a pleading is to be construed most strongly against the pleader, shows no cause of action; for if the plaintiff’s franchise—its right to collect tolls—has not been interrupted or disturbed, no injury has been occasioned by reason of the acts complained of.
The obstruction of a public highway is a common nuisance. A private person has no cause of action by reason of such
Judgment reversed and cause remanded, with directions to sustain the demurrer to the complaint.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- LEWISTON TURNPIKE COMPANY v. SHASTA AND WEAVERVILLE WAGON ROAD COMPANY and WILLIAM S. LEWDEN
- Cited By
- 9 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Allegation in Complaint.—In an action by the owner of a toll road against another for damages caused by obstructing the public highway leading to his road, the plaintiff must allege that his right to collect tolls has been disturbed, or it will be presumed that he has received no injury by reason of the obstruction. Obstruction of a Highway a Nuisance.—The obstruction of a public highway is a common nuisance. Idem—Action by Private Person.—A private person has no cause of action by reason of such obstruction, unless he has suffered some special damage. In order to maintain an action for such damage, it must be such as might legitimately flow from the nuisance. Complaint in Suit for Damages from Nuisance.—Special damages to private person, from nuisance in obstructing a public highway, must be particularly stated in the complaint. The means by which the damages were caused must be alleged in the complaint.