Jones v. Los Angeles & P. Ry. Co.
Jones v. Los Angeles & P. Ry. Co.
Opinion of the Court
This action was brought by plaintiffs to declare forfeited a certain right of way granted by them to the Los Angeles County Railroad Company, the predecessor in interest of the defendant, upon the ground that certain conditions subsequent attached to the grant had not been complied with. Defendant interposed a general demurrer to the complaint, which was overruled by consent and an answer filed. The defendant did not appear at the trial, and plaintiffs had judgment, from which defendant appeals. The only question presented is as to the sufficiency of the complaint. The demurrer being general, the fact that it was overruled by consent is immaterial. One of the conditions of the grant of the easement was the erection and construction of the road on the line designated and the operation of the road when constructed. The second condition was that the company should establish two stations on the line granted, the particular points of each of said stations to be selected by the parties of the first part (the plaintiffs herein). It is further provided in the agreement that, upon the completion of the road, it should be operated continuously and without interruption; and again, if the corporation should “at any time hereafter cease to operate said railroad, or fail or refuse to keep the same in
Reference
- Full Case Name
- JONES v. LOS ANGELES & P. RY. CO.
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Appeal.—Though a General Demurrer to a Complaint was Overruled by consent, defendant may, on appeal from a default judgment after answer, question its sufficiency. Forfeiture.—A Complaint for Forfeiture of a Bight of Way granted on condition of the construction of the road on the line designated, continuous operation of the road when constructed, establishment of stations at points to be designated by plaintiff, and maintenance of the road in good condition, which alleges that the stations were not established, that the road on its completion was not operated continuously or at all, and that it has long since ceased to be operated, and has not been kept in good condition, but has been allowed to become wholly out of repair, and that there has been a total failure to comply with the conditions, sufficiently states, as against a general demurrer, the completion of the road and breaches of the conditions.