Hood v. Pullman Co.

The plaintiff’s traveling bag disappeared (from the floor of the car, between berths) while he Was an overnight passenger in a Pullman sleeper. The Pullman Company concedes that the rule of Goldstein v. Pullman Company, 220 N. Y. 549, made it a question for the jury whether the company had exercised proper vigilance. It makes the point, however, that the question whether plaintiff himself had taken adequate care to protect certain of his property that was in the bag should also have been submitted to the jury. In addition to the traveling things customarily carried by one on an extended journey, the bag contained a diamond pin valued at $500. It is contended on behalf of the company that it should have been left to the jury to say whether such a small article, of a value so great as compared with that of the ordinary articles to serve a traveler’s needs that are customarily carried in a traveling bag, should have been left overnight in the bag. The general rule laid down in the Goldstein case is based upon very general experience, appeals to reason, and is, indeed, almost a rule of necessity. A traveler in a sleeping car cannot procure a comfortable night’s rest if he is compelled to guard and worry about a sizable traveling bag that cannot be stowed away in his bed. The traveler is under no such difficulty, however, in reducing the *243probability of the loss of small pieces of jewelry that may be put away in some comparatively safe place. It is common knowledge that many travelers, when retiring, put their small valuables under their pillows, or in some other part of the berth not readily accessible to one bent upon thievery. It is not argued here that the plaintiff should, as matter of law, have done anything at all that he did not do. It is contended merely that the jury should have been allowed to decide whether he took such care of the diamond pin as was commensurate with the occasion. I am of the opinion that the point is well taken, and thus that it was error on the part of the learned trial justice to pass upon that question as one of law.

Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event.

Bijur and McCook, JJ., concur.

Judgment reversed.