Crystal Spring Brook Trout Hatchery Co. v. Village of Lomira

162 N.W. 658, 165 Wis. 515, 1917 Wisc. LEXIS 125

• Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Decided: May 15, 1917
• Status: Published

Opinion

Kerwin, J.

The trial judge immediately upon the conclusion of the trial, in the presence of counsel of both parties, made a statement of what he found the facts established by the evidence to be, and afterwards made findings of fact and conclusions of law based upon the established facts found.

The court below found the facts at great length and in detail, and we shall not recite the findings here. It is sufficient to say that as part of the findings in detail showing that the defendant did not contribute to the creation of a nuisance or damage to plaintiff, the court concluded by finding “that the pollution or defilement of the said stream and ponds of the plaintiff is not in any manner caused or occasioned by acts of the defendant village.” The court further found that the plaintiff’s springs and ponds are located within the course of the natural surface drainage of a large area of land lying to the east, north, southeast, and northeast, upon a portion of which area is located a considerable part of the defendant village.

Several authorities are cited by counsel for appellant where sewers have been built or authorized by the municipality in such manner as to do injury to private property and damage the owners thereof, but these cases have no application to the instant case.

In the instant case the findings, supported by the evidence, show that no case is made against the defendant upon the established facts. While it is true that the defendant had power to lay out a general sewer system it was not liable in the instant case for failure to do so. Kelley v. Milwaukee, 18 Wis. 83; State ex rel. Rose v. Superior Court, 105 Wis. 651, 81 N. W. 1046; 28 Cyc. 917 and cases cited.

Upon the established facts drains were constructed by plaintiff, its predecessors in title, and other property owners on the streets in the defendant village, and the defendant is not liable for the acts of such parties. The abutting owners have certain rights in the streets of a municipality not inconsistent with the servitude to which the street is subject, and the municipality is not liable for the exercise of such rights by the abutting owners. Papworth v. Milwaukee, 64 Wis. 389, 25 N. W. 431; Krueger v. Wis. T. Co. 106 Wis. 96, 81 N. W. 1041; Johnston v. Lonstorf, 128 Wis. 17, 107 N. W. 459.

The general topography of the country, as appears from the record, shows that the natural flow of the surface water is into the pond in question, and any improvements made in the street or elsewhere by the defendant were done in the discharge of the defendant’s duty in caring for its streets and without injury to the plaintiff or liability on the.part of the defendant therefor. Waters v. Bay View, 61 Wis. 642, 21 N. W. 811; Harp v. Barahoo, 101 Wis. 368, 77 N. W. 744; Merkel v. Germantown, 120 Wis. 494, 98 N. W. 210; Champion v. Crandon, 84 Wis. 405, 54 N. W. 775; Shaw v. Ward, 131 Wis. 646, 111 N. W. 671; Stoecker v. Cedarburg, 161 , Wis. 34, 152 N. W. 445.

There are other propositions in the case which might be considered tending to show nonliability on the part of defendant, but sufficient has already been said to show that plaintiff made no case against defendant, hence the complaint must be dismissed. •

By the Gourt. — The judgment of the court below is affirmed.