Southern Railway Co. v. Vaughn
Southern Railway Co. v. Vaughn
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The affidavit for a continuance filed by the appellant recited that it expected to prove by certain witnesses, whose depositions had been delayed, that the identical machine forming the basis of this litigation was at that date in the possession of the agent
It is conceded that, if the appellant transported the machine and delivered the same to its connecting carrier without unreasonable delay and in good condition, its responsibility for the shipment ceased, so far as this suit is concerned, with said delivery. This is expressly recognized by the instruction granted for appellee, which predicates recovery solely upon the theory that the railroad company negligently failed to deliver the machine to its connecting carrier. The same legal proposition is correctly stated in the instruction granted to appellant. But in the face of the express and uncontradicted admission as to the prompt transportation and delivery in good order by appellant, there was no conflict of testimony as to the vital point in the case, no proof of any negligence on the part of the appellant, and consequently nothing on which to base an instruction. Wherefore it was error to refuse the peremptory instruction asked by the appellant.
Reversed and remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Southern Railway Company v. Margaret A. Vaughn
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Cabbiebs. BaiVroads. Transportation of freight. Belimery to connecting carrier. A railroad company which, upon receipt of goods for carriage heyond its own line, delivers the same in good condition, without unreasonable delay, to the proper connecting carrier for further carriage, has performed its duty in respect to the shipment, and its liability therefor ceases.