Haley v. Jump River Lumber Co.

51 N.W. 321, 81 Wis. 412, 1892 Wisc. LEXIS 29

• Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Decided: March 22, 1892
• Status: Published

Opinion

The following opinion was' filed February 2, 1892:

WiNslow, J."

The ears upon the private logging railroad in question are constructed simply for the purpose of carrying logs. They consist of a pair of railway trucks, upon which rests a frame-work of strong timber, without floor. Near each end of the car, and immediately over the middle of each truck, is a strong timber about nine feet in length, and which is called the “ bunk.” Upon these two bunks, which run transversely, the logs are rolled. When the bunk is full, or nearly so, with one layer, another layer is begun, which naturally contains one less log than the first layer, and so on until the load is complete. Before, however, the last one or two logs are put on, the “ wrapping chain” is thrown around the middle of the logs, and fastened with a grab-hook somewhat loosely, with the idea that when the last logs are put on top they will, by pressure, take up the slack in the chain and make it tight. As a further means of fastening the logs, there is, at the end of each bunk, a sharp steel iron point called a “ spud,” projecting upwards. These spuds and the wrapping chains were the only means of keeping the logs in place which were in use on this'train at the time of the.accident.

The cause of the wreck in which the plaintiff was so seriously injured cannot be demonstrated with mathematical certainty. The plaintiff in his complaint gives his version of it. He says that the defendant failed to. provide a safe and suitable road-bed, and that it was negligently constructed, rough and uneven, and allowed to so remain; that it failed to provide plaintiff a proper and suitable place to perform his duties as brakeman, and failed to provide suitable and proper appliances for fastening the logs upon the cars; that it failed to provide chains of sufficient strength, but did provide chains small, weak, broken, and patched, and totally insufficient and unsuitable for the purpose ; that for about ten days before the accident it negligently allowed several large logs to remain lying parallel with its track, so close to the track as to be an obstruction to cars loaded with logs. After making these general allegations of negligence, the complaint details the accident as follows:

“ And plaintiff further alleges that on the 31st day of October, 1889, said defendant was operating said railroad and said logging train as aforesaid, by its authorized officers and agents, and transporting over the same a train composed of a number of cars drawn by said locomotive engine, and that said cars were heavily loaded with logs, and that each load was negligently and carelessly fastened upon the car upon which it rested by means of one of the said weak, small, improper, and unsuitable chains; that this plaintiff, acting as the agent and servant of said defendant, and in the lawful and proper performance of his duty, was riding upon said, train, and was standing at one of the brakes upon said cars; that while so riding as such agent and servant, and while so lawfully performing his said duty, and when said train was running over said railroad, and at a point about a mile and a half distant from the said village of Prentice, in said Pierce county, one of said loaded cars in front of the car upon which this plaintiff was so lawfully standing came in contact with one of the said logs so negligently allowed to remain alongside said railroad track, as aforesaid, the chain which bound the logs upon said car gave way and broke, and the said logs, which were bound by said chain to said car, fell, or partly fell, from the said car upon which they were loaded, and some of them falling with tbeir front ends to the ground, or against said logs so negligently allowed to remain along-side said track, caused the logs upon the car upon .which this plaintiff was standing to be thrown back upon him, so that this plaintiff was caught between two of said car-loads of logs, and by reason of the negligence of said defendant in so failing to provide suitable and proper chains to bind the logs upon said cars, and in so failing to keep its said road-bed in proper condition and free from obstructions, and with no want of care on his part, this plaintiff sustained the injuries hereinafter mentioned.”

The answer denies all negligence on the part of defendant, and alleges contributory negligence by plaintiff. There was evidence tending to show that the cutting, hauling, and loading of the logs on the cars was done by one Folds, under a contract' with the defendant, and that he employed his own help and was an independent contractor within the meaning of the law. The testimony as to the accident was quite voluminous. There were several eye-witnesses, who were riding in the engine at the time. It is unnecessary to review the testimony, but will be sufficient to say, in general, that it conflicted in many particulars, and that from it ¿light be deduced several different conclusions as to the cause of the disaster, among which copclusions are: (1) That the wrapping chain on the third car broke because it was too weak for the purpose. The negligence here involved (if any) would be in not providing a reasonably sufficient wrapping chain. (2) That the chain was of ample strength for all ordinary use, but that by reason of its being loose a log worked out over the end of the bunk and collided with the log in the ditch, thus causing the breaking of the chain and the ensuing disaster. The negligence here involved (if any) would be in the loading of the car, joined with negligence in leaving obstructions in dangerous proximity to the track. (3) That the chain was of ample strength, but that, solely by reason of its being loose, a log worked out over the end of the bunk and struck the ground, thus causing the breaking of the chain and the wreck. The negligence involved here (if any) would, or might be, solely in the loading of the car.

There may be other solutions of the vexed question as to the cause or causes of the disaster, which could be legitimately based upon the evidence, but it is not necessary to our present purpose to pursue the inquiry further. It is enough that there is a theory, which is fairly deducible from the evidence, which explains the accident on the sole ground of negligence on the part of the person or persons who loaded the cars. As has been stated, the evidence tended to show that the loading was done by an independent contractor. If this was the case, and the contractor’s negligence in loading was the sole cause of the accident, then, under the principle approved by this court in Hackett v. W. U. Tel. Co. 80 Wis. 187, the defendant was not liable for the result. Manifestly the question should have been submitted to the jury in some manner so that they could have passed upon it. It was an issuable fact, and one which the defendant was entitled to have passed upon. The defendant requested that the question be submitted to the jury whether the accident was caused in whole or in part by negligent loading, and the court refused to submit it. This question was proposed, with others, and the bill of exceptions states that to the refusal to submit them the defendant excepted, and excepted to the refusal to submit each one separately. We think the exception sufficient. It is said by respondent’s counsel that the question was immaterial, because, if answered in the affirmative, still defendant would be liable, under the rule that where the negligence of a master and co-employee contribute to an injury the master is still liable. Doubtless the inquiry whether the injury was caused m ga/rt by the negligence of the loader was immaterial, but the inquiry whether it was wholly the result of negligent loading was highly material, and should not have been rejected merely because the immaterial inquiry was joined with it. Furthermore, also, the jury might have answered the question proposed to the effect that the accident was wholly caused by negligent loading, had they had an opportunity to do so under proper instructions. ¥e think it clear that there was error in not submitting to the jury the question whether the accident was not caused wholly by the negligence of an independent contractor.

Another question was proposed by appellant as a part of the special verdict, and refused, as follows: “Could the plaintiff, by the exercise of ordinary care, have discovered this log lying in the ditch, and its precise relation to the track?” The circuit court judge did submit the question whether the plaintiff knew the log was lying in the ditch near the track, and the jury answered it in the negative. In connection with the proposed question, the defendant also asked instructions to the effect that if plaintiff ought reasonably to have known that the log in the ditch lay in close and dangerous proximity to the track, then he assumed the risk, notwithstanding the fact that he denied actual knowledge of the fact. This instruction was refused, and its substance was nowhere embodied in the general charge. This also was error. The principle is that if the alleged defect or element of danger is such that, in the exercise of ordinary care, the plaintiff ought to have observed it and comprehended the danger likely to result, then he assumes the risk if he continues in the employment without complaint. Dorsey v. P. & C. Const. Co. 42 Wis. 583; Ballou v. C. & N. W. R. Co. 54 Wis. 257; Goltz v. M., L. S. & W. R. Co. 76 Wis. 136. The jury should have been allowed, in some form, to make this inquiry.

It is claimed that the court erred in admitting evidence as to the general condition of the road-bed. As we construe the complaint, it charges that the roughness of the roadbed was one of the contributing causes of the accident, although it does not specify in what exact manner that condition contributed to produce the wreck. In this view of the complaint, we think it was proper for the plaintiff, in making his case, to prove facts showing that any part of the road over which this train had run on this trip was rough or uneven, but not to go into proof generally of the general condition of the road in other respects or in other localities. We do not mean to say that, upon cross-examination of defendant’s witnesses, it may not be proper for the plaintiff to go further than this, if he keeps within the limits of proper cross-examination. We think that the questions asked of William Folds, one of defendant’s witnesses, were proper cross-examination of his direct testimony.

An affidavit of prejudice of the circuit judge was filed by defendant just before the trial of the case, and thereupon Judge SiebeoKer, in lieu of changing the place of trial, called in Judge BeNNEtt, of the twelfth circuit, who proceeded to try the cause. To this action defendant objected, and excepted. It is now claimed by defendant that ch. 166, Laws of 1889 (S. & B. Ann. Stats, sec. 2626), which provides that an action shall be sent for trial into an adjoining circuit when an affidavit of prejudice of the judge is filed,” in effect repeals ch. 435, Laws of 1881 (S. & B. Ann. Stats, sec. 2624®), which authorizes the calling in of another judge when an affidavit of prejudice is filed. This claim cannot be maintained. Ch. 166 aforesaid plainly means that, m ease the venue is changed on account of prejudice of the judge, the case shall be sent to an adjoining circuit. The whole section is limited by the first clause, “ when the place of trial shall be changed.” It is still left within the power of the court to exercise the option provided in ch. 435.

Exception was taken on the trial to evidence tending to show that there was a safer method of binding logs upon the cars than that used by the defendant, to wit, by the use of chains at the corners of the outside logs, called “corner binds.” It is extremely doubtful whether this evidence was admissible, under the present state of the pleadings, as the complaint charges no negligence with respect to the manner of loading, except the use of weak and’ improper chains; but as a new trial must be had, and this question, with some others discussed by counsel, may not arise again, we deem it unnecessary to pass upon them.

By the Oourt.— Judgment reversed, and action remanded for a new trial.

The respondent having made a motion for a rehearing, the following opinion was filed March 22, 1892:

LyoN, C. J.

We' do not suppose the learned and courteous counsel who prepared the argument in support of the motion for a rehearing intended to be especially severe upon this court when they therein expressed the opinion that the decision herein evinces an entire disregard of many material facts in the case, that it is a manifest violation of the plainest principles of law and justice, and that it is a wide departure from well-settled legal principles; yet they will pardon us . for suggesting that these are not well-chosen terifis in which to characterize a judgment of any court. This court is liable to err, and sometimes does err, in its judgments, but always, with cheerful alacrity, corrects such errors when discovered. No caustic applications are necessary to goad it to its duty in that behalf, and hence, as a general rule, their use is not to be encouraged. Now let us examine the decision in this case, as briefly as we may, and see if it is justly liable to be thus characterized.

1. The specifications of negligence imputed to- defendant are: (1) That tbe railroad was in an unsafe condition; (2) that ordinary care was not used in selecting and providing chains with which to bind the loads of logs upon the cars; (3) ¿hat the chain with which the load was bound on the car in front of where plaintiff was standing when the accident happened was insufficient; (4) that defendant suffered a large log to remain in the ditch on the side of and dangerously near the ' track; and (5) that the cars on the wrecked train “ were heavily loaded with logs, and that each load was negligently and carelessly fastened upon the car on which it rested ” by means of one of such defective chains. The court submitted twenty-eight questions of fact to the jury. Among them were questions as to whether the defendant was negligent in the four particulars first above mentioned, and the jury found that it was. The defendant asked the court also to submit the fifth specification of negligence to the jury, to wit, whether the logs Were negligently loaded, and the court refused to do so. This ruling practically took that question from the jury, and thus eliminated it from the case. That is the only question on the subject of defendant’s alleged negligence an affirmative answer to which might benefit the plaintiff, and it was substantially excluded from the consideration of the jury. Its significance is, as stated in the opinion prepared by my Brother WiNslow, that the téstimony tends to prove the cars were loaded by an independent^ contractor, and hence that any negligence in loading them -was, or might have been, the negligence of such contractor and not of defendant.

But it is said that, inasmuch as the jury found that the wrecking of the train was caused by the log lying in the ditch, it is immaterial whether the logs were negligently loaded or not. If they were, the negligence of the contractor and defendant concurred in causing the accident, in which case the defendant would remain liable. This atgument is ingenious and plausible, but fallacious. The court, in carefully worded questions, submitted it to the jury to find whether the defendant had been negligent in respect to the condition of the railroad; the selection of chains for binding loads of logs on the cars; the sufficiency of.such chains; and the dangerous proximity of the log to the track, and notice to defendant’s officers thereof. .At the same time the court refused to permit the jury to find specially whether the logs were properly loaded. It is reasonable to. believe that any juror would understand, from such proceedings and ruling, that the question of the negligent loading of the logs was out of the case, and hence may not have entered into the consideration of the jury when they made their finding that the log in the ditch caused the wrecking of the train. Suppose this rejected question had been submitted to the jury, and they had answered that the cars were negligently loaded, we would then have five distinct negligent acts or omissions, or both, each of which may have contributed to, or either of which may have been the proximate cause of, the injury complained of. Now, suppose the court had instructed the jury to find which of these was or were the proximate cause of the injury, who can say the jury would not have found that the negligent loading of the cars was such proximate cause, and the presence of the log a remote or consequential cause? There is abundant testimony to support a finding that the cars would have passed the log in safety had they been properly loaded. Were such the finding, the testimony tends to show a state of facts, to wit, the intervention of an independent contractor, which might defeat a recovery in this action. Hence it was clearly error to refuse to submit the proposed question, as to the negligent loading of the cars, to the jury.

2. The court was asked in a variety of forms, but refused, to charge the jury in substance that if the danger caused by the presence of the log in the ditch “ was known to the plaintiff, or might by the use of reasonable or ordinary care have been known to him, he is presumed to have known it and assumed the risk.” The proposed instructions do not make the want of actual or imputed knowledge of the presence of the log the test of. defendant’s liability, but make such test the want of knowledge, or reasonable means thereof, of the danger resulting from the presence of the log where it was left, Had the proposed instruction related only to knowledge that the log was there, the case would be within the rule in the Dorsey Case (Dorsey v. P. & C. Const. Co.), 42 Wis. 583, and the Hulehan Case (Hulehan v. G. B., W. & St. P. R. Co.), 68 Wis. 520. But the proposed instruction is fairly within the rule stated hypothetically in the Dorsey Case, by RtaN, C. J., as follows: “ If he [the plaintiff] knew, or ought reasonably to have known, the precise danger to him, in the course of his employment, of the cattle chute in question, and saw fit, notwithstanding, to continue in his employment, he might be held to have assumed the extraordinary risk, as well as the ordinary risks, of his service. The authorities cited by the learned counsel for the appellant all agree in the general proposition.” The general charge contains no equivalent of the proposed instruction, and the jury had the right to understand, as we do, that the court intended to instruct them that, unless the plaintiff actually knew of the presence of the log in close proximity to the track, and the danger created thereby, he did not assume the risk of being ■injured by it. This entirely ruled out of the case the material question whether he “ ought reasonably to have known the precise danger to him in the course of his employment,” resulting from' the log being left where it was. Unquestionably this was error. Again, the question on the same subject, proposed for submission to the jury, is the corollary of the proposed instructions, for it calls upon the jury to find, not only whether the plaintiff by the exercise of ordinary care could have discovered the log, but also “ its precise relation to the track.” The sentence quoted is the equivalent of “ precise danger to plaintiff.”

The special verdict consists of twenty-eight questions submitted to the jury, and their answers thereto, and covers quite minutely nearly all disputed questions of fact in the case. Doubtless it was within the discretion of the circuit court to submit those multitudinous questions as the basis of a special verdict. But we say here, as we have said in other cases, that it were better if the trial courts would discountenance a minute cross-examination of the jury and insist that a few questions should be framed, covering all material and controverted questions of fact. Eor example, in this verdict we find ten questions, and the answers thereto, concerning the log in the ditch. The whole subject could have been better covered ip two or three questions. But, inasmuch as the interrogatories on this subject were so minute and exhaustive, we think it was error not to submit also the question proposed on behalf of defendant on the same subject. The trial court should see to it that the right to a special verdict is not used to entrap the jury into error, as it sometimes is by defendants in desperate or doubtful cases. No such motivéis imputed to defendant or its counsel in the present case.

By the Court.— The motion for a rehearing is denied, with $25 costs.