Martin v. Columbia & G. R. Co.
Martin v. Columbia & G. R. Co.
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
These were separate actions, brought by the plaintiffs above against the defendant company, for alleged damages occasioned them by being left at a station on defendant’s road, Rich Hill, to which they had gone, with the view of reaching Spartanburg, some six or eight miles distant. The plaintiffs were Jane E. Martin, the mother, D. H. Martin, her infant son, about fifteen months old, and M. E. Price, her mother-in-law, all of whom reside in Spartanburg. They had gone down to Rich Hill on a visit, and on their return appeared at Rich Hill station to take a freight train home. This train was behind time, and did not stop at the station to take in passengers, although a flag was waved by the agent there. These parties were, therefore, compelled to remain in the neighborhood until the next train, which passed late in the
The appeal questions the correctness of this ruling. The rule in reference to nonsuits is well understood, and has been so often acted upon by this Court that it is unnecessary to repeat it fully here. It is sufficient. to say that where there is an absence of all testimony as to any material contested fact-in a case, a nonsuit will ordinarily be granted. The fact of injury was a material fact here. Upon this question, we concur with the presiding Judge. After a careful examination of the evidence reported, we find nothing therein pertinent to that issue. True, the parties may have been somewhat chilled and fatigued, and greatly out of temper, on account of the evening train passing them, and by being compelled to wait for the night train; but there is no evidence of any pecuniary damage, or of any personal injury resulting in any loss whatever to any of the parties. There was nothing really to go to the jury. The Circuit Judge states his reasons for granting the nonsuits. We think they are entirely satisfactory, and fully sustain his orders.
It is the judgment of this Court, that the judgment of the Circuit Court in each of the cases be affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MARTIN v. COLUMBIA & G. R. CO. PRICE v. SAME
- Status
- Published