Cleveland, C. C. & St. L. Ry. v. Barron-Boyle Co.

We are of the opinion that the agreed statement of facts in this case shows that there was but one contract for the transportation of the goods from Boston to Cincinnati through the American Express Co. over the Boston & M. Ry., the New York Cent. Ry., the Lake Shore & M. S. Ry. and the Clev. C. C. & St. L. Ry., and that separate contracts were not made with the several railroads for transportation of the goods over said different railroads. This is clearly shown by testimony of agent, Smith (bill of exceptions, page 12). And when the damage to the goods was discovered at Cincinnati no claim was made by the railroad company that there were separate contracts.

But Barron-Boyle & Co., by the request of the railroad company, paid the amount of the freight in full to said company, and by agreement of the parties filed their claim for damage with the said railroad company, thus clearly recognizing the fact that there was but one contract for transportation from Boston to Cincinnati. This must have been the construction that the parties placed upon the contract at the time. When the goods arrived at Cincinnati they were damaged. *146There is nothing to show when, where or how they were damaged, except that certain of the employes of the Boston & M. Railway who-loaded the glass in the cars at “Mystic Wharf,” testified that some of the boxes rattled in loading and some of the boxes were strained, but no examination was made to ascertain whether any of the glass was-broken. It was admitted that each carrier gave to its predecessor a receipt, stating that the goods were received in good order. It was. first ascertained that the goods were damaged when the goods were inspected after arrival at Cincinnati. The contract of the carrier was: to deliver the goods in good order at Cincinnati, subject to certain exceptions, none of which are set up here, and it is admitted that the goods were not delivered in good order, and the amount of the damage is admitted, and it is agreed that the judgment of the court below was for this amount. It seems to us clearly a breach of contract for which the railroad company was liable and the judgment should be affirmed.