Illinois Central R. R. v. Landrum
Illinois Central R. R. v. Landrum
Opinion of the Court
Opinion of the court by
dismissing appear.
This was an action by appellee to recover of appellant $1,000 damages for an alleged breach of contract to carry 'appellee as a passenger over a given route at a given rate. Appellant, by its answer, admitted a liability of $1.40, and offered to pay into court that sum and the costs of the action. Issue was joined, and a trial was had as to its.¡further liability. The jury returned a verdict in favor of appellee for $200, and judgment was rendered for that amount. A plea is interposed to the jurisdiction of this court. Section 950, Kentucky Statutes, concerning jurisdiction o:f this court in civil cases, reads: “No appeal shall be tasken to the court of appeals from a judgment for. the recovery of money or personal property, if the value in controversy be less than $200.00, exclusive of-interest and costs.” Generally, when the defendant to such an action appeals, the amount of the controversy is the amount of the judgment ■against him. That which" is in controversy is necessarily that part of the recovery, in case of a defendant, which is disputed. The plaintiff sued for $1,000, and defendant admits $1.40 as owing. Then but 998.60 was in controversy. As the plaintiff recovered the verdict and judgment for $200, if the plaintiff had appealed, the sum in controversy would have been the undisputed part of her claim; but upon the defendant’s appeal it is $198.60 only. Having admitted, by pleading, $1.40 of the liability alleged, it could no longer
The appeal must be dismissed, with damages.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.