Gay v. N. O. Pacific Railway Co.
Gay v. N. O. Pacific Railway Co.
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The plaintiff avers that he is the owner of a sugar
The defendant pleaded the general issue, and specially averred that the acts and works complained of, and prayed to be injoined, were done and completed before any injunction was served upon it, and therefore there was nothing to injoin — that the company had a legal right to enter upon the plaintiff’s land for the construction of the works complained of, and had been induced to believe by the acts, speeches, and declarations of the plaintiff that such entry upon his land and construction of the road thereon would meet with his approval, and that he is now estopped from shifting his position, and claiming damages. It is then averred, that so far from damaging him, the construction of the road across his land has enhanced its value, and will enhance it more in the future.
A jury was empanelled to try the issues thus raised, and on reading the petition, the judge below was of opinion that he had not jurisdiction of the ease, because the sum involved did not exceed five hundred dollars, and on motion of defendant he accordingly dismissed the suit.
The plaintiff relies upon Crescent City L. S. & S. Co. v. Larrieux, 30 Annual, 798, where we said ;—
“ The substance of its allegation is, first, that defendant has already, by past acts, damaged it in the sum of $200; and second, that if permitted to continue, it will irreparably injure plaintiff in the enjoyment of its exclusive rights, privileges, and emoluments under its charter. It is made to appear by affidavit, that these rights and privileges thus alleged to have been invaded, and which will continue to be so invaded, are of a value exceeding $500, etc. We think that under the allegations of the petition, the terms of the charter and the affidavit, the matter in dispute is shown to be within the jurisdiction of this court.”
It is ordered that the judgment of the lower court is avoided and reversed, and the cause is remanded to be proceeded with according to law, the defendant paying costs of appeal.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.