Ferguson v. Firmenich Manufacturing Co.

42 N.W. 448, 77 Iowa 576, 1889 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 246
CourtSupreme Court of Iowa
DecidedMay 20, 1889
StatusPublished
Cited by20 cases

This text of 42 N.W. 448 (Ferguson v. Firmenich Manufacturing Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Iowa primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Ferguson v. Firmenich Manufacturing Co., 42 N.W. 448, 77 Iowa 576, 1889 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 246 (iowa 1889).

Opinion

Robinson, J.

Plaintiff is the owner of four hundred and twelve acres of land, through which Linn creek flows from the southwest in a northeasterly direction, into the Iowa river. He resides upon this land, and uses it in part as a stock and dairy farm. The defendant operates a glucose factory, situate on the creek aforesaid, about half a mile southwest of the farm of plaintiff. Sheds for feeding cattle are located near the factory, and are used in connection with it. ' Plaintiff claims that in the years 1886-87-88 the defendant caused to be discharged into the creek, from its factory and cattle-sheds, large quantities of acids, poisons, manure and other filth, in consequence of which the water flowing therein was so polluted that it could not be used for stock or domestic purposes; that in consequence of such discharges the water of said creek emitted unwholesome and noxious vapors and odors; that by reason of the said acts of defendant the plaintiff and his family suffered and became sick, the products of his dairy were greatly injured, and the use of his farm, and stock.thereon, were greatly damaged; that before said acts of defendant were committed the said stream furnished excellent water, which was used by plaintiff for his stock, and for domestic purposes; that said stream furnishes the only running water on his farm; and that the said acts of defendant were wrongful. Defendant denies these claims of plaintiff, and alleges that the creek has for years taken and received the drainage and sewage of the southern and eastern part of Marshalltown, including that from slaughterhouses located thereon, factories, fat-rendering establishments, outhouses and other sources of filth, and that, in consequence its water becomes unfit for use. Defendant further claims that the contamination of the water, and the vapors and odors of which plaintiff complains, [578]*578are due to a slaughter-house which is maintained on his land, and for which he is responsible. The evidence shows that during the year 1887 the water of Linn creek, from a point above the glucose factory, to its confluence with the Iowa river, was in a foul and unwholesome condition, and that noxious odors were exhaled therefrom. Some of the evidence tended to show that acts authorized by defendant contributed largely to produce that condition. There was also some evidence which tended to show that plaintiff was partially responsible for the evils of which he complains.

1. riOTandfi?wer owners onw I. The relative rights of the upper and lower owners of lands intersected by a stream of water were considered to some extent in the case of Spence v. McDonough, ante, p. 460. We said in that case that the lower owner has the right to have the water which flows from the land of an upper owner in as pure and wholesome a condition as a reasonable and proper use of the stream by the upper owner will permit. The upper owner will not be allowed to poison or corrupt the stream. Washb. Easem. 332; 1 Hill, Torts, 601. In many cases he may use all of its water, to supply what are termed his natural wants, as for household purposes and for his stock, but cannot appropriate it all for so-called artificial purposes, as for manufacturing, to the damage of a lower owner. Washb. Easem. 330; Gould, Waters, sec. 205. The upper owner may, as a rule, use the stream in a reasonable manner, lor reasonable purposes, even as a means of carrying off waste matter. Whether the use to which he wishes to devote it is reasonable must be determined by the circumstances of the case. Washb. Easem. 326; Gould, Waters, sec. 206.

2.-: liability of upper owner eon-pollution*0 II. It is claimed by appellant that Linn creek, above the farm of plaintiff, has been used as a common sewer by the city and inhabitants. of Marshalltown for many years, and was so used . . . . during the time m question; that m consequence of such use its water was polluted and rendered unfit for domestic purposes and for stock, [579]*579and that defendant, at most, only contributed to the results of which plaintiff complains. But, if that be true, it would not relieve defendant from liability in this action. The right to so use the stream is not shown to exist. Plaintiff owned the land involved in this suit before such use of the stream was made, and had a vested right in it, of which he has not, so far as is shown, been deprived. If the claim of defendant be true, it could not escape responsibility for the wrong because others contributed to it. But plaintiff contends that, although the water of the creek had been somewhat contaminated by the sewage of the city and other causes, yet it was, and would have been, good for stock, and would have been free from noxious odors, but for the acts of defendant. Some of the evidence tends to support this claim, and, if it be well founded, the plaintiff should recover. Code, sec. 3331; Platt v. Railway Co., 74 Iowa, 131; Ewell v. Greenwood, 26 Iowa, 377; Wood, Nuis., sec. 445.

3. by both upper and lower owners: liability. III. In November, 1885, plaintiff leased, for the purpose of putting a slaughter-house thereon, a small tract of ground near his dwelling and on Linn creek “with the privilege of the creek.” There was evidence to the effect that a slaughter-house was constructed under the lease, and operated during 1887; that much animal matter was thrown therefrom into the creek, and permitted to corrupt its water; that other animal matter was thrown about the slaughter-house and there permitted to decay; that the slaughter-house was a nuisance, for which plaintiff was in part responsible, and that to that source, and other causes due to him, much of the evil of which he complains is attributable. The responsibility of plaintiff for the condition of the stream and the odors in controversy was put in issue by the answer. Appellant sought to establish that responsibility during the trial, and asked an instruction in regard to it, which was refused. The court charged the jury that “if it appears that the offensive exhalations complained of were caused by the act or omission [580]*580of plaintiff himself, or by others, acting without the co-operation, connivance or assistance of the defendant, then he cannot recover anything on account of such alleged annoyance or disturbance in the comfortable use and enjoyment of his premises ; ” but it failed to charge them as to the effect of contribution by plaintiff to the results of which he complains. It is insisted by appellee that he is entitled to recover, if a wrong has been proven, notwithstanding the fact that he may have contributed to it. We do not think his position is well taken. If he contributed to the wrong, he and defendant were joint wrongdoers. In-law, the act of each was the act of both. It was said in Turner v. Hitchcock, 20 Iowa, 818, that there is no contribution among tortfeasors who have all knowingly committed a wrong, and that the damage is not severable or apportionable between them. See, also, 1 Hill, Torts, 176, note 3; Metz v. Soule, 40 Iowa, 238; Cassady v. Cavenor, 37 Iowa, 300. It is true, the answer charges that the damage of which plaintiff complains was the result of his own act in maintaining a slaughter-house; but it also sets out various alleged acts of plaintiff which were contributory in their nature ; and the efforts of defendant during the trial were largely directed to showing contribution on the part of plaintiff. The instruction in regard to contribution asked by defendant was objectionable in some respects, but it directed attention to that issue, and an instruction in regard to it should have been given.

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Bluebook (online)
42 N.W. 448, 77 Iowa 576, 1889 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 246, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/ferguson-v-firmenich-manufacturing-co-iowa-1889.