Court of Appeals of Kentucky, 1881

Ware v. Clark's Run & Salt River Tpk. Co.

Ware v. Clark's Run & Salt River Tpk. Co.
Court of Appeals of Kentucky · Decided October 4, 1881 · Lewis
11 Ky. Op. 249; 3 Ky. L. Rptr. 325; 1881 Ky. LEXIS 269

Ware v. Clark's Run & Salt River Tpk. Co.

Opinion of the Court

Opinion by

Judge Lewis :

While an incorporated turnpike road company owns, controls and takes toll upon a road they are bound to keep it free from obstructions and in a condition safe for the passage of persons and property; and for their failure to do so they are liable for any injury caused thereby to persons passing over it, as- well as to the penalties imposed by law.

Though a chartered turnpike is the private property of the company, it is also a public thoroughfare upon which any person may lawfully travel, whether he be required by the terms of the charter to pay toll or not. Besides, the legislature has for the benefit and profit of these companies prohibited the opening of lateral roads to run within one mile of a chartered turnpike road, whereby persons residing upon or near to the latter roads have no other outlet.

But the petition is defective in the failure of the plaintiff to allege either that the particular wagon by which he was injured was placed in the road with the knowledge or permission of the company, or that the obstructions alleged by him to have been constantly placed in the road with the knowledge and permission of the company were at the same place he received the injury, or where he was in the habit of passing. They may have been at a point upon the road distant from where he was injured. Before he can recover the plaintiff must allege and prove either that this particular wagon was placed in the road with the knowledge or by the permission of the company, or that it was there under the general authority or permission of the company for wagons to be placed in the road at that place.

Wherefore the judgment of the court below is affirmed.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.