Lockwood v. Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co.

12 N.W. 401, 55 Wis. 50, 1882 Wisc. LEXIS 110

• Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Decided: May 10, 1882
• Status: Published

Opinion

Tatloe, J.

It will be seen, by an examination of the allegations in the original complaint, that the plaintiff at the time it was made was of the opinion that the deceased was thrown from the car by the sudden backing of the engine and tender after it had been uncoupled from the rest of the train, and after it had run forward from the train some little distance, and while the deceased was on the ladder returning to the top of, the car after uncoupling the engine and tender. It also alleges that the tender struck the deceased, and threw him between the tender and the car. In this complaint it is also alleged that the deceased was ordered to uncouple the engine from, the cars, and that he uncoupled the same in pursuance of such orders. In the amended complaint it is not alleged that he was ordered to uncouple the engine and tender from the cars, but that it was in the line of his duty to do so, and for that purpose he was on the front end of the first car; and there is an omission to allege that he did uncouple the same. It is then alleged that, in order to stop the engine and cars before they ran over or upon the crossing, the engine was recklessly and negligently reversed, without warning or signal, and propelled with great force against and upon the cars, and that by reason thereof the front end of the first car was thrown off the track, and the deceased was precipitated to the ground with great force and violence, etc.

The plaintiff’s proofs on the trial failed to show that the reversing of the engine, and the backing of it and the tender against the cars, had any agency in throwing the deceased from the train; and that theory of the case was wholly abandoned by the learned counsel for the appellant upon the argument in this court. It is not claimed that the proof shows that the car was thrown off the track by the collision of the engine and tender with the car, nor that the deceased was struck by the tender when such collision took place. It ■seems to be conceded by both parties that the car was off the track before the engine and tender were reversed, and that the deceased fell from the car before the tender came into collision with it.

The learned counsel for the appellant seek now to sustain the charge of negligence against the defendant, its agents, servants and employees, upon the theory that immediately after the deceased uncoupled the tender and engine, and before be could regain tbe top of tbe car, tbe forward end of tbe car ran off tbe track, and that tbe jolting of tbe car, in passing over tbe ties, threw tbe deceased from tbe ladder as be was attempting to return to tbe top of tbe car. Although no defínite causéis shown which threw the front end of tbe car from tbe track, it is claimed that there was evidence from which tbe jury might have reasonably found that it was because tbe cars were running at too great a speed at tbe time, or that there was negligence in tbe other brakemen or other employees of tbe road which caused the car to leave tbe track, or that tbe track was out of repair.

It is further urged that if there- was evidence which tended t o show that tbe car was off the track before the deceased fell, and that its being off tbe track caused him to fall, tbe mere fact that tbe car was off tbe track raises a presumption of negligence on tbe part of tbe company, its agents, servants or employees, and that the burden of proof to show tbe absence of such negligence was upon tbe defendant. It is also urged that there was evidence tending to show that the deceased was ordered by tbe conductor to descend and uncouple tbe engine and tender while the train was in motion, and that in executing such order be fell from tbe car without fault on bis part.

On the part of tbe defendant it is contended, that the only reliable evidence in tbe case shows that tbe deceased fell from tbe car before it was off tbe track; that bis falling off threw tbe car from the track, and that be fell in attempting to return to tbe ladder, after uncoupling tbe engine and tender, and before be got upon tbe ladder; and that bis uncoupling tbe engine, and tender, while tbe train was in motion, was bis voluntary act, done without any order from tbe conductor or other employee of tbe company, and in violation of tbe rules of tbe defendant company upon that subject. Tbe learned circuit judge took tbe view of tbe evidence taken by the learned counsel for respondent, and nonsuited the plaintiff.

There is no serious attempt made on the part of the learned counsel for the appellant to show that the evidence introduced upon the trial proved any negligence on the part of the defendant in furnishing the train with a competent engineer, conductor and brakemen, or in furnishing a safe and proper track upon which to ran said train, nor that the cars were not in good order and well made; but it is insisted that the evidence tends to show that the engineer and conductor were negligent in running the train at too great a speed within the city limits and when it was approaching the crossing in said city, and in not bringing the train to a stop at the 400-foot post south of the crossing; that such rapid speed caused the front end of the first car to leave the track at the curve, when it was uncoupled from the engine, and so caused the deceased to fall from the car upon the track and receive the injuries which resulted in his death. Considerable importance was given to the fact that the train was not brought to a stop when the engine reached the 400-foot post. The learned counsel for the appellant seemed to think that the defendant’s’ servants violated the law in not coming to a full stop at that point. In this we think they are clearly mistaken. The only law upon the subject of stopping trains before crossing the track of another railroad is section 1808,, K. S. 1818, which reads as follows: “Every train of cars, and every locomotive, about to cross the track of another railroad, shall come to a full stop before arriving at or crossing the track of such other, and within 400 feet thereof.’7 This section does not require the train to stop when the engine reaches the 400-foot post, but between that post and the track of the railroad about to be crossed. The fact, therefore, that the train did not stop when the engine reached the 400-foot post, was not a violation of any law of the state; and no negligence can be predicated upon such fact alone.

After a careful examination of the evidence in the case, we can find nothing which tends to prove any actual negli-. gence on the part of the defendant, its agents, servants or employees in respect to the sufficiency and safety of the track of the road where the accident happened, or in respect to the capacity and skill of the parties in charge of the train at the time, or in respect to the sufficiency and safety of the ears, engine, brakes or other appliances connected with the train.

But it is urged by the learned counsel for the appellant, that there is evidence which shows that the train was run at an improper rate of speed, and that the accident may be attributed to that cause. After a careful reading of all' the evidence, we are satisfied that the train was not running at such a rapid rate of speed at the time the accident happened as would be likely to cause the cars to leave the track. The place at which the car left the track was on a slight curve, .and it is the constant experience that trains will pass with safety over the track at such curves at a very much higher rate of speed than that at which this train was moving at the time. All the proof there is on this subject is, that the track was in good repair at that place, and that a train would pass over it with as much safety as though the track were straight. The witness Sayers, who was a brakeman on the train, and is the only witness who testifies on that subject, says: “ There is no rule about slackening speed on such a curve as that. I do not think there is any more danger of ■a car running off on a small curve like that than on a straight track. I think a train would run about the same in respect to steadiness on a slight curve or a straight track.” No jury would be justified in predicating negligence on the part of the railroad company or its employees upon the simple fact that a freight train was run at a speed of eight or even ten miles an bour on a curve such as there was in the track at the point where this accident happened, when it is the daily and hourly experience that such trains ran over such curves at a much higher rate of speed with safety. The evidence showing that the track was in good repair, there is no evidence which would justify a finding that the defendant was negligent, as between itself and its employees in charge of the train, in running its train at the rate of speed it was run, even though run at the highest rate testified to by any of the witnesses. Maher v. Railroad Co., 64 Mo., 267; Holman v. Railroad Co., 62 Mo., 562; De Graff v. Railroad Co., 76 N. Y., 125. It is evident that the statute limiting the rate of speed at which railroad trains are to be run within a city, was a limitation made for the protection of those crossing the streets of such city, and not so much for the protection of the employees on the trains, although it might indirectly be for their protection also. Ewen v. Railway Co., 38 Wis., 633, 634. The employee might allege such violation of the statute as negligence if he could trace his injury to that cause; as, for example, by showing that a collision took place with some object at some street crossing, which threw the train from the track and so caused his injury. But in the case at bar there is no claim that the car was thrown from the track by any object thereon which would probably have been avoided had it been running at a less speed. That the car was off the track is not in any way connected with excessive speed, and such speed cannot, therefore, be assigned as a cause of the injury.

The only possible theory which would justify a verdict in favor of the plaintiff is, that there was evidence tending to show that the car was in fact off the track, and that its being off the track caused the deceased to fall from the car and receive the injuries which resulted in his death.

It is argued that ,if there was evidence which would justify a jury in finding that the car went off the track before the deceased fell from it, and that its being so off the track caused his fall, then it was error in the circuit court to direct a nonsuit; that the plaintiff having shown the car off the track, and its being off causing the injury to the deceased, in the absence of any other testimony a presumption arises that the car Went off through the negligence of the company, its agents, servants or employees; and upon such presumption the plaintiff would be entitled to recover, unless there was clear and positive evidence that there was in fact no negligence on the part of the company or its other agents. That this is the rule applicable to railroad companies as between them and passengers carried by them, there cannot be any serious doubt; and it is urged by the learned counsel for the appellant that the same rule is applicable to the case of an employee and the company. We are not prepared to settle this question definitely in the decision in this case, but content ourselves with the remark that it is well settled that the same degree of care is not, as a general rule, required of the company in respect to its employees as is required in respect to its passengers, and that a presumption of negligence of the company in favor of a passenger might arise under circumstances which would not raise such presumption in favor of an employee.

But suppose a presumption of negligence does arise from the fact that the car was off the track, which presumption it was necessary to rebut by proofs, is not the presumption rebuttéd when the proof shows that the track was in good order, that the engine, cars, brakes and other appliances were in good repair, and that the train was properly manned, and was not run at a speed which was likely to endanger the safety of the train, or run it off the track? What other proof could be made to rebut such presumption of negligence ? Remembering that, as between the company and its employee, the company is only bound to use ordinary care and not the highest degree of care, as between itself and its passengers, it would seem that the proof of such facts would rebut conclusively mere legal prima, facie evidence •of negligence, arising from the fact that the car was off the track, and that, in order to justify a finding for the plaintiff, lie would be compelled to make further proof of actual negligence on the part of the company. This seems to have been the conclusion which the court arrived at in the case of Spaulding v. Railway Co., 33 Wis., 582, and 30 Wis., 110.

On the plaintiff’s evidence there is no fact shown which will, under any reasonable view of the case, account for the car leaving the track; but the evidence of the defendant, and its theory of the case, does show a sufficient cause. If the car was on the track when the deceased fell, his falling before the wheels of the car shows an adequate cause for its leaving the track.

An adequate cause having been shown for throwing the oar from the track, and there being no other cause shown, that must be presumed to be the true cause. Kendall v. Boston, 118 Mass., 234, 236. This was an action to recover •against the city for an injury received by the plaintiff while in the Boston Music Hall, by the falling of a statue or bust. The only evidence given by the plaintiff, after showing the ownership of the hall, and that she was lawfully present at an assembly therein, was that when the audience arose the "bust or statue fell, and she was injured. She was seated 'immediately under the bust, which was attached or placed •on the outside of the balcony above. The plaintiff was nonsuited, and the nonsuit was sustained by the supreme court. In the opinion the court says: “ In the present case it is not shown whether the balcony was or was not occupied by the audience; whether those comprising the audience or others did or did not rightfully have access to the place where the bust was put, and thus whether the fall may not have been occasioned by the wrongful or negligent act of some third person. It is not sufficient for the plaintiff to show that the injury may have been occasioned by the negligence of those whom she seeks to charge with it. If there were other causes which also might have produced it, she is •in some way to show that these did not operate. "Without some evidence as to the manner in which the bust was attached or secured, its fall alone did not furnish sufficient evidence of negligence.”

In the case at bar, the evidence on the part of the plaintiff does not tend to show any adequate cause for the car being off the track, and if it was off, as is claimed, before the deceased fell, its being off is left wholly unaccounted for; and if that fact alone raises any presumption of negligence on the part of the defendant in an action of this kind, it makes out a mere prima, facie case, which is overthrown and the burden of proof shifts when the defendant shows that the track, cars, engine, brakes and other appliances were in good condition, and the train properly manned and not run at a dangerous speed. If the accident arises from some cause which cannot be sho'wn, the plaintiff fails to make out a case. Steffen v. Railway Co., 46 Wis., 259; De Graff v. Raüroad Co., 16 N. Y., 125, 181. "Under the evidence in this case, even if it be admitted that the car was off the track when the deceased fell, the burden of proof was upon the plaintiff to show that the negligence of the defendant caused it to leave the track. He could not rest upon proof of the simple fact that it was off.

But upon the question of fact, whether the car was off the track before the deceased fell, we think the great preponderance of the evidence which is reliable apd worthy of credit" is against that theory of the case. The presumption that it was so off the track is not sustained by any fact proved. If it was, no cause is shown why it was. The fact, if it be a fact, is inexplicable; whereas the fact that the car went off the track after the deceased fell, is rationally accounted for. It is unnecessary to analyze or comment upon the testimony upon this question, as in either view of the case we think the whole evidence failed to show any negligence on the part of the defendant, and because we think there is another fatal objection to the plaintiff’s right to recover. If the car was off the track when the deceased fell, and he fell by reason of the jolting of the car in running over the ties, then his own negligence contributed to his fall. Fie was clearly negligent in undertaking to uncouple the cars while they were in motion. The fact that he did so is undisputed, and his doing so placed him in a most dangerous position if the car went off the track while he was so engaged, or before he reached his place on top of the car. The evidence clearly shows that it was not his duty to uncouple the cars while they were in motion, and that his doing so was against the established rules of the company. The rules prohibited it because it is a dangerous thing to do. If he voluntarily placed himself in a dangerous position, not required of him by the rules of the company or by the order of some superior officer or employee of the company, and was injured while in such position, even though the negligence of the defendant was one cause of, the injury, he cannot recover, because his placing himself in such dangerous position was also negligen ce on his part and contributed to the injury. Had he been in the discharge of his duty on top of the car and at the brake at the time, there is no presumption that he would have been injured, even though the car left the track. Fitch v. Allen, 98 Mass., 572; Sprong v. Railroad Co., 60 Barb., 30; Gibson v. Railway Co., 63 N. Y., 449; Whart. on Neg., § 215; 2 Thomp. on Neg., 1151, note 3, and cases cited; Pitzner v. Shinnick, 39 Wis., 129; Cremer v. Town of Portland, 36 Wis., 92; Prideaux v. Mineral Point, 43 Wis., 513; Delaney v. Railway Co., 33 Wis., 67; Curry v. Railway Co., 43 Wis., 665; Freeman v. Transp. Co., 36 Wis., 571; Cunningham v. Lyness, 22 Wis., 245; Nicks v. Town of Marshall, 24 Wis., 139; Potter v. Railway Co., 21 Wis., 372; Kearney v. Railway Co., 47 ; Otis v. Town of Janesville, 47 Wis., 422; Goldstein v. Railway Co., 46 Wis., 404. These cases clearly show that deceased’s negligence in uncoupling the cars when in motion was contributory to and a proximate cause of the accident, and must defeat the action. The claim that the deceased was ordered by the conductor to uncouple the cars before they came to a stop is wholly unsupported by the evidence. It is evident, from the pleadings on the part of the plaintiff, that the action was commenced under a mistake of the facts; and the attempt to maintain it upon the real facts as shown upon the trial cannot be sustained upon any well settled rule of law.

By the OouH. — The judgment of the circuit- court is affirmed.