Southern Railway Co. v. Bacon

128 Tenn. 169

• Court: Tennessee Supreme Court
• Decided: September 15, 1913
• Status: Published

Opinion

Mr. Chief Justice Neil

delivered tlae opinion of the Court.

This suit was brought to recover the value of certain live stock shipped under a limited liability contract. When the animals reached the place of destination, Baltimore, five were dead.

The provision of the contract under which the controversy arises was as follows:

“That as a condition precedent to any right to recover any damages for loss or injury to said live stock, •notice in writing of the claim therefor shall he given to the agent of the carrier actually delivering said live stock, whenever such delivery may he made, and such notice shall be so given before said live stock is removed, or is intermingled with other live stock. ’ ’

It is proven that the animals were each worth more than the value stipulated in the contract. No notice of any claim for damages for the death of these animals was given to the company before they were removed from the ear.

The only question presented is whether the condition covers dead animals. The trial court and the court of civil appeals both held that it did not. We are of the opinion that his conclusion was correct. Where animals are injured, and a claim is intended to he made fo.r damages, the carrier should have an opportunity of inspection fairly equal to that of the shipper, in order to ascertain the nature and extent of the injuries claimed for. After they are removed and intermingled with other animals, it would he practically impossible for the carrier to protect itself from fraudulent' or false claims. The reason does not apply to dead animals. There can be no intermingling with other animals, and the agent who mates delivery necessarily has his attention drawn to' the dead animals, and can make such inspection as he deems fit at once. Therefore it could not be that the parties intended to cover such a case. Contracts must be construed with reference to the situation and surroundings of the parties, the nature of the business in which they are engaged and to which the contract relates, and also with reference to the subject-matter.

The same result has been reached in other States where the question has arisen. Kansas, etc., R. Co. v. Ayers, 63 Ark., 331, 38 S. W., 515; Missouri, K. & T. Ry. Co. v. Frogley, 75 Kan., 440, 89 Pac. 903; L. & N. R. Co. v. Warfield & Lee, 6 Ga. App., 550, 65 S. E., 308; Patterson v. K. & T. Ry. Co., 24 Okla., 747, 104 Pac., 31; Pierson v. Northern Pac. Ry., 61 Wash., 450, 112 Pac., 509.

There is no error in the judgment of the court of civil appeals, and it is. affirmed.