Routh v. Texas Traction Co.
Routh v. Texas Traction Co.
Opinion of the Court
This suit was brought by appellee to condemn a certain strip of land owned by appellants for right of way of its interurban railroad track. The county judge appointed commissioners to assess the damages, and they awarded the sum of $900, to which appellants objected for the reason that the award was too small. A trial was had on the issues joined, and the jury rendered a verdict for $861.70, and apportioned said amount among the owners of the land, and judgment rendered accordingly. From this judgment the owners of the land have appealed.
Appellants’ first assignment of error is: “The verdict of the jury is contrary to the law and evidence, in this: (a) The great weight of the evidence shows that the land sought to be condemned was worth approximately $100 per acre, and the defendants were damaged thereby to the extent of $1,- *1153 100. (b) The undisputed evidence shows that the operation and construction of plaintiff’s interurban road through defendants’ land at the place in question caused many inconveniences which greatly diminished the value of the remainder of the tract of land, and the jury did not allow any damage whatever for these special injuries, which were established by -undisputed testimony, (c) The undisputed evidence shows that the defendants did not receive any special benefits from the construction and operation of plaintiff’s road through their land which would offset in whole or in part any special injuries sustained, (d) The verdict of the jury is contrary to all tbe evidence in the case, and is not supported by any evidence in the ease in so far as the amount is concerned. The damage awarded being entirely too little and not supported by any evidence, (e) the jury found in their verdict in part as follows: ‘We also find that any damage done by said company constructing its road thereon is fully offset by enhancing' the value of the remaining land not taken.’ And this finding of the jury is not authorized by law nor the charge of the court; the evidence showing that the remainder of said land did not receive any special benefits by the construction of said road.” The contention is that “the undisputed evidence shows that the operation and construction of plaintiff’s interurban road through defendants’ land at the place in question caused many inconveniences which greatly damaged the value of the remainder of the tract of land known as the Bouth home place, and the jury did not allow in their verdict any damages for these special injuries.”
We are of the opinion that there was no error in the holding of the trial court on this question. The railroad never paid nor deposited the amount awarded by the commissioners, but took possession and constructed its road over the land and its possession was illegal until the trial. In Railway Co. v. Ruby, 80 Tex. 172, 15 S. W. 1040, Slayton, G. J., speaking for the court, said: “The rule is believed to be universal that compensation must be estimated by facts existing at the time the land is taken, though there is some diversity of opinion as to whether this occurs when the proceedings to condemn are instituted or at time of trial. The latter view we think correct in its practical application, though strictly there can be no ‘taking’ within the meaning of the law until the party seeking to condemn has been adjudged to be entitled and has paid or secured the compensation fixed.” The occupancy of the land by appellee was wrongful and no benefit accrued to it by reason of such holding. Railway Co. v. Cave, 80 Tex. 137, 15 S. W 786.
What has been said is sufficient to guide the court on another trial, and the discussion of the other assignments becomes immaterial.
The Judgment is reversed, and cause remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- ROUTH Et Al. v. TEXAS TRACTION CO.
- Cited By
- 17 cases
- Status
- Published