Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad v. Sims
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad v. Sims
Opinion of the Court
The principal question involved in this case is, whether the plaintiff in error was liable for the value of stock killed by its train in the night time, the stock being allowed to run at large in violation of law. Comp, Stat., Ch. 72, Art. I.
This question was before this court in B. & M. R. R. Co v. Brinkman, 14 Neb., 70, and we think that decision fully eovers this case. In the opinion of the court, written by Judge Maxwell, the following language occurs, which we adopt as decisive of the case, viz.: “ The statute requires all railroad companies which have been in operation six months to fence their track and put in cattle guards at road crossings, and provides that in case of failure to do so ‘they shall be absolutely liable to the owners of any live stock injured, killed, or destroyed by their agents, employes, or engines/ etc.; and also declares that when such fences and guards have been fully and duly made, and shall be kept in good and sufficient repair, such railroad shall not be liable for any such damages, unless negligently or willfully done.» Where they have failed to fence their track, therefore, the question of negligence of the owner of the stock killed or injured does not enter into the case. The defendant in error, by merely permitting the animals killed to run at large in the night time, is not thereby deprived of the right to recover.”
A question as to the sufficiency of the petition of defendant in error is also presented. The petition alleges, in substance, among other things, that the plaintiff in error was running and operating its road in Eichardson county, at the time of the accident, without fencing on either side thereof, and that the stock killed was running at large on the premises of defendant in error through which plaintiff
No error appearing, the judgment of the district court is. affirmed.
Judgment affirmed»
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, in error v. John Sims, in error
- Status
- Published