Rusch v. Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Co.

11 N.W. 253, 54 Wis. 136, 1882 Wisc. LEXIS 12

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

Opinion

Lyon, J.

It is not denied that the award of the commissioners in tbe condemnation proceedings fails to ascertain the compensation to wdiicli the plaintiff is entitled for his land which the defendant proposed to condemn to its use. The aggregate sum only to which six owners in severalty were entitled was ascertained, and no rule is given and none exists by which the proportionate share of each can be ascertained. It is settled that, “ if a railroad company takes possession of land for which it is liable to make compensation, without the consent of the owner, and without having ascertained and paid the compensation under the process given by the statute, .it is a trespasser, and liable in an action of trespass.” Sherman v. M., L. S. & W. Railroad Co., 40 Wis., 645, and cases cited. No specific claim is made in the answer that the plaintiff ever consented to the use of his land by the defendant, and the undisputed testimony is that he did not, unless such consent is to be implied from his failure to order the company off his land, or from his delay in bringing this action. We think no consent can 'properly- be presumed from such failure or delay. Speaking no word and doing no act from which consent can reasonably be inferred, he might proceed to recover his damages or land at his leisure, within the limitations of the statute.

The plaintiff’s land having been appropriated by the defendants without his consent, and his compensation therefor never having been ascertained and paid, he is entitled to recover in this action, unless (as claimed by the learned counsel for defendant) his right to maintain the action is taken away by the condemnation proceedings. The argument is that the proceedings constitute a suit in court (Laws of 18'73, ch. 291, sec. 2); that they are all regular except the failure to award separately the compensation to which each owner in severalty is entitled; that the court had jurisdiction of subject matter and person; and hence, conceding that the award is void, the proceedings are still pending, and the award may be corrected at the instance of either party. Under another rule laid down in Sherman v. Railrodd Co., supra, it is claimed that such pending proceedings are an insuperable barrier in the way of maintaining a commonlaw action for the trespass.

We do not thinlc the condemnation proceedings are pending, but that the same are determined and at an end. We are aware of no" statute which authorizes the circuit court or judge to recall the commissioners and require them to apportion the sum awarded between the owners of the land sought to be condemned, and to amend their award by specifying therein the sum to which each owner is entitled. . Such a practice would be like recalling a jury after they have been discharged, and their verdict recorded, to correct their verdict. Indeed, it would be more nearly analogous to recalling the jury for such purpose after judgment has been entered on the verdict, and after the trial term has adjourned. Probably such a practice was never heard of; certainly no such practice can be upheld. We think, and so hold, that the condemnation proceedings are at an end, and that, because they resulted in an award which fixed no rights and bound no one, they have ceased to have any effect for any purpose whatever, and the rights and'liabilities of the parties are the same as though the proceedings had not .been instituted.

It follows that the plaintiff was entitled to recover, and hence that .the judgment of the circuit court should be affirmed.

By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.