Adams v. Hughes

78 Ill. App. 252, 1898 Ill. App. LEXIS 944

• Court: Appellate Court of Illinois
• Decided: October 5, 1898
• Status: Published

Opinion

Mr. Justice Harker

delivered the opinion of the court.

Appellee, the owner of a dominant estate, brought this suit against appellant, the owner of a servient estate, for damages caused by damming a ditch which forced the outlet for surface water, thereby causing the water to back up and spread over the lands of appellee. In its leading features, the case is like Adams v. Stadler, already 'decided by us at this term. The chief difference lies in the character of damage done.

For the purpose of establishing a right to the use of the ditch under the act of 1889, relating to drains constructed' by mutual consent and license, appellee, over the objection , of the appellant, was permitted to testify to Mi agreement made with appellant’s father and grantor, now dead. Clearly, appellee was not a competent witness to testify to such an agreement, and, it was error to allow it.

There was sufficient evidence otherwise, however, to support a finding that Ellis Adams, the deceased grantor, acquiesced in the construction of the ditch. Indeed, we think the evidence was sufficient to support a recovery > upon either one of the two counts of the declaration.

We see no just ground to criticise the instructions.

The chief damage done appellee, and perhaps the only damage that could be allowed under the pleadings (and proof, was in the injury to his tile drains and open ditches. While we regard the amount fixed by the jury, $181.50, as quite liberal, we are not disposed to reverse the judgment ■ upon the ground of excessive damages. .

Judgment affirmed.