Bueck v. Lindsay
Bueck v. Lindsay
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiff sued defendants for the loss-1 of a horse, which he claimed was due to the negligence of' one of defendants’ men while in their employment.
Defendants have premises used for lumber storage, through, which Eose street, in Detroit, passes. Their lumber was piled* in the yards on both sides to some extent, and there was occasion to pass across Eose street, back and forth, with their teams. There were railroad tracks by their premises, which also crossed Eose street, and were used to remove and bring-lumber.
On May 11, 1886, plaintiff was, about 7 o’clock in the-morning,* driving a single horse and light lumber-wagon.
As the only question raised in the case is whether the court below should have ordered a verdict for defendants, it is not necessary to discuss anything else.
It is claimed that defendants were not guilty of any legal, negligence. The court below left the whole case to the jury, who found that defendants were negligent and that plaintiff was not in fault.
The fact that plaintiff’s horse was thrown down and injured by being caught in the hook shows that there was actual danger in dragging the chain across the highway when horses-were approaching. It is evident to any one that a horse stepping on a moving chain might very easily be tripped up and hurt. The chain produced in court was flexible, and readily moved along the ground. Although counsel on the argument assumed for what purpose the chain was used, there was-
We cannot, in our opinion, determine that it may not be negligent to drag such a chain across a street, under the circumstances shown here. There is a conflict of testimony as to how far it was noticeable. Plaintiff swore he did not see it. It is not probable that his horse saw it, as horses are apt to notice moving objects before them, in their way, and avoid them. Osmun took no pains to prevent the accident by lifting the chain, or waiting till plaintiff passed, or by giving any warning. His horse was not under his control, so that he could stop him at once. There was testimony showing him to have been heedless, and, unless it was lawful at all events ho do as he did, then it was rightly left to the jury.
We do not see any reason for holding plaintiff guilty of negligence. He was riding in the position usually occupied • on such a vehicle, and, while he saw the horse and driver, did not see the chain, and says he could not see it. The jury had . a right to believe him, and, if they did, we cannot say that-.the case shows him to have been open to censure.
We think the case was properly submitted. The charge was fair and clear, and no fault is found with it, except that ¡it did not decide the questions of fact in favor of defendants •upon the plaintiff’s case.
The judgment must be affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Christian Bueck v. Archibald G. Lindsay and Patrick M. Gamble
- Status
- Published