De Graw v. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad

164 N.W. 706, 101 Neb. 724, 1917 Neb. LEXIS 160

• Court: Nebraska Supreme Court
• Decided: October 13, 1917
• Docket: No. 19254
• Status: Published

Opinions

Dean, J.

Plaintiff commenced this action against defendant to recover $512, the alleged value of 7 head of cattle owned by him that were killed by one of defendant’s trains on its right of way. At the conclusion of the testimony the court directed the jury to return a verdict for defendant. From a judgment rendered thereon, plaintiff appeals.

The cattle that were killed, with 16 other head belonging to plaintiff gained access to defendant’s right of way within the unincorporated village of Northport at a point w’here there were cattle-guards and wing-fences, but which were in so dilapidated a condition as to be useless for the purpose of turning stock. It appears from the testimony of the trainmaster that the cattle-guards at this particular point, and over which plaintiff’s cattle entered upon the right of way, were a menace to the safety of trainmen and employees in switching and handling trains. In such case defendant was therefore absolved from the duty of maintaining cattle-guards at that place. Burnham v. Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co., 83 Neb. 183. But that circumstance, significant as it is, does not decide the question before us, when we consider in all of its bearings the object and the purpose that must have been in the legislative mind when the railroad fencing statutes were enacted. In the present case the cattle, after entering the right of way, went north thereon to the place where they were killed, which is about l-l miles beyond defendant’s switches and beyond a “Y” maintained by defendant.

Section 6035, Rev. St. 1913, provides, among other things, that the railroad company shall erect and maintain fences on both sides of the track “suitable and amply sufficient to prevent cattle, horses, sheep and hogs from getting on such railroad, except at the crossings of public roads and highways, and within the limits of towns, cities and villages.”

In the absence of direct legislative expression this court has properly, as we believe, and for the best of reasons, construed the law in former decisions to mean that a railroad is not required to maintain fences or cattle-guards at any point, even outside of towns, villages and cities, where such inclosure would prevent proper access to station facilities or where it would increase the danger to the lives of its employees in handling its trains. The law has been properly so construed because, in view of the perils that are incident to trainmen in the train service and that are always attendant upon the switching and handling of trains, it is reasonable to believe that such, for humane reasons, was the legislative intent, and our interpretation seems properly to come within the purview of the law. Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co. v. Sevcek, 72 Neb. 793. On this point there is no longer controversy in this state. But neither the Burnham nor the Sevceh case applies to a situation where stock was killed, as in the present case, on- the right of way, but perhaps a mile distant from a point where suitable cattle-guards could have been maintained that would not be a menace to the safety of employees, and more than a mile distant from the point of entry. It may also be observed that the public is concerned that the right of way be kept clear of herds of live stock. The violent impact of a rapidly .moving train against a herd of full-grown cattle roaming over the tracks or lying down between the rails is a situation laden with possibilities of peril to passenger and trainmen alike.

Section 6036, Rev. St. 1913, provides: “Any railroad company hereafter running or operating its road in this state, and failing to fence on both sides thereof against all live stock running at large at all points, shall be absolutely liable to the owner of any live stock injured, killed or destroyed by their agents, employees or engines.”

The record before us discloses a situation where a railroad right of way, at best but a narrow lane, was inclosed on the sides only, and where the fences increased rather than diminished the danger to a herd of cattle thereon at a point a mile or more distant from an opening where they might escape. The spirit of the law, if not its very letter, requires a railroad to so fence and inclose its tracks, aside from the exceptions noted in section 6035, and also except at such points where the inclosure would endanger the lives of its employees, in such manner as to prevent stock from entering the right of way. It is clearly evident that such is the intent and ultimate purpose of the law.

In view of the record, it is not a strained construction of the law in question to hold that defendant has not complied with its provisions. The question of defendant’s liability should therefore have been submitted to the jury. The judgment of the trial court is reversed for further proceedings in accordance with law.

Reversed.