Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Co. v. Rose
Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Co. v. Rose
Opinion of the Court
The controverted point in the case is, whether the railroad company performed the conditions of the agreement between the original parties. Three things were to be done by the company: 1. It was to locate its xoad upon the right of way described; 2. It was to occupy the ground in question “ for the west part of the depot ;and a part of the usual buildings erected thereon; ” 3. It was to give the grantor the usual facilities for connecting his lots with the road.
There is no dispute but that the first and third conditions have been performed. The controversy relates to the second. This condition is in the nature of a condition subsequent; for it contemplates an immediate interest in .and possession of the land, and the subsequent erection of the buildings thereon. The company can not in equity be •divested of this interest in the land and its improvements thereon, if it has complied with the exact requirements of the agreement. We must, then, determine the meaning of the language used in the condition in controversy. The ground was to “be occupied for the -west part of the depot .and a part of the usual buildings erected thereon.” The .ground, it is to be noticed, was to be occupied for “ part ” •only of the depot and buildings of that station. The word “ depot” is not used here to mean a buildiDg; for a street intervened to prevent a union of the “west part” of a building with an eastern part thereof. Besides, part of the usual buildings were to be erected “ thereon.” Clearly, the words, “ the depot,” mean the entire grounds used by the company for its business purposes with the public at that station. The land in controversy was to be the “ west part ” of the depot-grounds, and a part of the usual depotibuildings were to be erected thereon. What particular
Since, then, tbe eastern part of tbe depot grounds and buildings are located at tbe same town and substantially at tbe same station, it only remains to consider whether tbe land in question is occupied for tbe western part of the depot-grounds, and whether part of tbe usual depot-buildings are erected tbereon. Indisputably, tfie company took possession of tbe land, and used it for depot purposes. At first, its chief business with tbe public was transacted there. Tbe company caused a building to be erected tbereon, which, though built by other parties, was to be for tbe accommodation of tbe public in its business with tbe road, and is kept subject to tbe control of tbe company. Moreover, the. company has constructed on tbe ground facilities for the-loading and unloading of live stock, lumber, and coal. Tbe transportation of cattle, grain, lumber, and coal form no inconsiderable part of tbe business of railroads, and: depot facilities for freights of these classes are as necessary as they are for any other freights, and are required to be-of a special character suited to tbe business. Here, then, is a depot for tbat class of business, with tbe usual building and structures required for tbat purpose. Strictly considered, then, tbe conditions of tbe agreement have been fulfilled. Tbe land is occupied for tbe west part of tbe depot-grounds, and a part of tbe usual buildings used for depot purposes have been erected tbereon. Tbe contract requires nothing more. If tbe ordinary passenger and
Sufficient was done by tbe company to be regarded as a substantial compliance with tbe written conditions of tbe agreement. So long as it continues to comply therewith, it is entitled to the enjoyment of tbe premises. It follows that tbe decree of tbe court below, in favor of tbe defendants in error, was wrong.
Judgment reversed and cause remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway Company v. Lucius M. Rose
- Status
- Published