Hopson v. Louisville, New Orleans & Texas Railway Co.
Hopson v. Louisville, New Orleans & Texas Railway Co.
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The jury was not properly instructed.
The measure of the “due compensation” -to be awarded the owners of the land was not in any way affected by their recovery in the action of trespass for unlawfully entering upon the land, and building and operating the railway. That action was for wrongful acts. This proceeding is to confer, in a lawful way, the right to continue the railway on the land. After the recovery in the action for damages, the railway company had no right to continue on the land. It had been recovered against for being unlawfully there, and for its unauthorized acts, but did not thereby secure any right. It still had the right to acquire a right of way, and thereafter enjoy it unmolested by the owners of the land; and that is what this proceeding is for, in which the owners
Reversed, and remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- J. B. and M. P. Hopson v. Louisville, New Orleans & Texas Railway Co.
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Kailroads. Condemnation. Compensation. Previous action of trespass. Neither the right of the company to condemn for a right of way, nor the measure of compensation to which the land owner is entitled therefor, is in any way affected by the fact that such owner, in an action of trespass, had previously recovered of the company damages for having entered on the land and built and operated its railroad.