Olds v. New York Central & Hudson River Railroad

In the complaint it was alleged, in substance, that the defendant undertook to carry over its railroad from the city of Buffalo to Adams, N. Y., a car load of horses for the plaintiffs; that it failed to discharge its duty as common carrier in that regard; and that in consequence the horses were injured, and the plaintiffs sustained damage. The defendant alleged, and it is not disputed, that the plaintiffs signed a “live stock contract,” so called, which by its terms relieved the defendant of its common-law liability in many important particulars, and relieved it from liability on account of any of the alleged wrongful acts or omissions which the evidence tends to establish in respect to the shipment of the horses in question. It appears, however, that such contract was signed by the plaintiffs after the horses had been loaded in one of defendant’s cars and had left the city of Buffalo for their destination. And there is also evidence tending to show that the plaintiffs did not know thé contents or purport of such agreement. If such was the fact—and the jury would have been justified in so finding— then the contract had no binding force or effect, ánd the responsibility imposed upon a common carrier by the common law was cast

In the case at bar the learned trial court held as matter of law that the live stock contract was valid and binding, and fixed the contractual relations between the parties. Clearly, under the authorities cited, such holding was erroneotis. It is urged, however, that the appellant ought not to be heard to complain, because such ruling was favorable to it. Clearly, that would be so if the learned trial court had stopped there; but instead, at the close of plaintiffs’ evidence, after having ruled that no liability had been established as for a violation of the contract, and that the defendant was relieved of its common-law liability because of such contract, it was suggested by the court that the complaint might be regarded as amended so as to allege a cause of action in tort, in effect a cause of action in conversion, upon the theory, as stated by the learned trial court, that the plaintiffs had a right to demand their property while in transitu, and that, as there was evidence tending to show that they did demand the horses from the defendant while the car was in Syracuse, for the purpose of feeding and caring for the same, and that the defendant refused to deliver them, the jury, if they believed that evidence, might find that the defendant was guilty of a tort; and, if they found as a result that the horses were injured by the inattention and negligence of the defendant after such demand and refusal, the plaintiffs .would be entitled to recover. The case was submitted to the jury, if we properly interpret the meaning of the proceedings, upon that theory. To the ruling permitting the complaint to be so amended defendant’s counsel duly excepted.

Considering all the circumstances, we think such ruling constituted reversible error. But, independent of that question, the evidence did not establish a cause of action against the defendant in tort or for conversion. It simply, if true, tended to prove that the defendant failed to discharge the duty imposed upon it by the common law as a common carrier. The jury, however, were instructed that they could not find the defendant liable because of its failing to perform such duty, but only if they found that it wrongfully failed to deliver possession of the horses to the plaintiffs after demand duly made. We know of no rule which makes it incumbent upon a railroad company to deliver goods or live stock while in transitu, to a shipper, consigned to himself; certainly not unless the freight is paid. If, however, a railroad company receives live stock for shipment, it is bound to properly care for the same itself, or afford reasonable opportunity to the shipper to do so. If the evidence on the part of the plaintiffs is to be believed, they sustained damages because the defendant failed to transport their horses from Buffalo to Adams, and care for them in a reasonably proper manner. That

Many other exceptions have been called to our attention, but, as a new trial must be had, it would seem to be unnecessary to call particular attention to any of them. In short, we think the case was submitted to the jury upon an erroneous theory. They should have been permitted to say whether the “live stock contract” so called, was executed after the horses had been shipped and under the circumstances claimed by the plaintiffs, and, if so, then instructed that it did not change or affect the common-law liability of the defendant. The jury should then ‘have been permitted to say upon the whole evidence whether or not the conduct of the defendant in the transportation of and caring for the horses was such as to absolve it from liability under the common-law rule, and, if not, then such damages should be awarded to the plaintiffs as would compensate them for the actual damages sustained. It follows that the judgment and order appealed from should be reversed upon questions of law only, and a new trial granted, with costs to the appellant to abide event.

Judgment and order reversed, and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event, upon questions of law only, the facts having been examined, and no error found therein. All concur.