{ "id": 861635, "name": "Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad Company v. Francis M. Barr", "name_abbreviation": "Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad v. Barr", "decision_date": "1889-02-21", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "57", "last_page": "62", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "31 Ill. App. 57" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "82 Ill. 123", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5313368 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/82/0123-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 Ill. 112", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 824013 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/78/0112-01" ] }, { "cite": "71 Ill. 601", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5311323 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/71/0601-01" ] }, { "cite": "88 Ill. 608", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5340216 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/88/0608-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 Ill. 176", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 820161 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/67/0176-01" ] }, { "cite": "13 Ill. 548", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2584031 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/13/0548-01" ] }, { "cite": "23 Ill. App. 639", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App.", "case_ids": [ 863687 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app/23/0639-01" ] }, { "cite": "24 Ill. App. 647", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App.", "case_ids": [ 5779480 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app/24/0647-01" ] }, { "cite": "25 Ill. App. 305", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App.", "case_ids": [ 4932208 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app/25/0305-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 Ill. 337", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 821717 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/77/0337-01" ] }, { "cite": "96 Ill. 63", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2718283 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/96/0063-01" ] }, { "cite": "92 Ill. 353", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2743899 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/92/0353-01" ] }, { "cite": "23 Ill. App. 498", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App.", "case_ids": [ 863617 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app/23/0498-01" ] }, { "cite": "59 Ill. 534", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5232649 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/59/0534-01" ] }, { "cite": "115 Ill. 115", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2878271 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/115/0115-01" ] }, { "cite": "120 Ill. 587", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 5383946 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill/120/0587-01" ] }, { "cite": "50 Ill. 181", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "68 Ill. 317", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2627806 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/68/0317-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 Ill. 112", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 824013 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/78/0112-01" ] }, { "cite": "13 Ill. 548", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2584031 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/13/0548-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 573, "char_count": 9900, "ocr_confidence": 0.525, "pagerank": { "raw": 8.211886364477904e-08, "percentile": 0.4766478663427868 }, "sha256": "38e9246fdf819dfa38753579cf2e26b23ca233f39419e482d13d3de033cb69c8", "simhash": "1:f08c4ad3d67cae54", "word_count": 1804 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T19:26:45.828955+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad Company v. Francis M. Barr." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Conger, J.\nThis was an action brought by appellee against appellant to recover the value of a team of horses killed, and harness destroyed, at a highway crossing known as Donigan\u2019s crossing, by the engine of appellant, on the 30th day of July, 1888. On that day the son of appellee, aged about fourteen, with his mother, the wife of appellee, was driving appellee\u2019s team and wagon toward the town of Atlanta. The wagon road upon which they were traveling ran north and south, and about one mile east of Atlanta crossed the appellant\u2019s railroad track, which runs nearly east from Waynesville to Atlanta.\nAt the crossing, the railway track and highway are about the same level; along the highway, on the east side, is a high hedge, from twelve to eighteen feet high, and extending up to within about, ten feet of the railroad track, where it joins a single panel of fence which connects with the cattle guard. From this hedge eastward upon the south side of the right of way, and about twenty-three feet from the center of the railroad track is another hedge, from eighteen to twenty feet high, the branches of which hung over to within five or six feet of the track.\nThese hedges obstruct the view of the track as one is approaching it from the south.\nOne witness, who made observations and measurements after the accident, testified that he had to get within two feet of the railroad track before he could see the track past the cattle guard. To further obstruct the view, tall weeds, ten or twelve feet high, were allowed to grow on the south side of the track, and on the right of way, at the east side of the road-crossing.\nThe train which caused the accident was some two hours late. It was a freight train, composed of engine, three freight cars and a caboose, and steam had been shut off before reaching this crossing, the grade slightly descending from the cast to the west at that point.\nThe team of appellee was in the act of crossing, whether in a walk, or a slow trot, is not certain, when appellant\u2019s train appeared from behind the hedge, striking the horses behind the shoulders, killing them, together with the wife and son of appellee.\nThe fireman who was upon the south side of the cab, and ringing the bell and looking ahead, as he says, did not see the horses until the engine was within twenty or thirty feet of the crossing. The engineer never saw them until their heads appeared upon his side (the north side) of the head-light an inslant only before the collision occurred.\nThere are two charges .in the declaration of negligence: A failure to give the statutory signals, and allowing the'right of way to be obstructed by weeds and these hedges.\nIt was a very dangerous place, and it was the duty of appellant\u2019s servants to have complied strictly with the law in reference to the giving of signals. Upon this question there was a sharp conflict in the evidence; and even if, from a consideration of it all, we should have' reached a different conclusion from that of the jury, (upon which we express no opinion) there was evidence to justify the verdict of the jury upon that point.\nIt seems to us that a bare statement of the condition of the right of way at this crossing sustains the charge of negligence against appellant.\nIn Ind. & St. L. R. R. Co. v. Smith, 78 Ill. 112, it is said : \u201c It was negligence in the company to permit or suffer weeds or anything else to grow upon its right of way to such a height as would materially obstruct the view of the highway. The safety of persons and property alike make it necessary that the company should keep its right of way free from obstructions, so that persons approaching the crossing may readily ascertain whether there is danger, and the employes in charge may he enabled to discover whether there is anything on the track.\u201d It was not error for the court to give the fifth instruction, which was in substance that if the servants of appellant omitted to give the signals for the crossing required by law, such omission constitutes a jprima facie case of negligence. Galena & Chicago U. R. R. Co. v. Loomis, 13 Ill. 548; 1. C. R. R. Co. v. Gillis, 68 Ill. 317. An omission to perform a statutory duty is prima facie negligence. St. L., J. & C. R. R. Co. V. Terliune, 50 Ill. 181.\nAppellant complains because the jury, in answer to two of the special interrogatories, said they did not know. They were as follows:\n\u201cNo. 3.' Did the plaintiff\u2019s son drive the team in a trot upon the railroad crossing when they were killed, without stopping to listen for an approaching train? Answer. Do not know'.\u201d\n\u201cNo. 5. If the plaintiff\u2019s son, who was driving the team of horses that was killed, had stopped and listened for an approaching train a short distance before approaching the railroad track, would or could he have heard the approaching train that killed the horses? Answer. Do not know.\u201d\nThe witness Shaw, who was driving behind appellee\u2019s team as it went onto the crossing, says, in reference to the gait of appellee\u2019s team at that time: \u201cThey were going in a shack\nof a little trot, I supposed while Shay, the fireman, says: \u201c Why, it seemed they were walking or coming upon the crossing when I seen them come on; either walking or in a jog when I first seen them.\u201d This was the entire evidence upon this point, and from it we are not prepared to hold that the jury failed in their duty in answering number three as they did.\nThe fifth interrogatory could not be satisfactorily answered. Shaw, who was behind appellee\u2019s team, said he did not hear the train, although it must have been very close, for an instant afterward it rushed into sight from behind the hedge and weeds at the cattle guard, not more than thirty feet from the team. The train was running down a slight grade without steam, and we do not think the jury were required to say, by their finding, as a matter of fact, whether the boy could or not have heard the approaching train had he stopped and listened.\nIt is also insisted that the evidence shows negligence on the part of appellee\u2019s son. This was a question of fact for the jury. This court has held that it can not be laid down as a principle of law that it is necessarily negligent for one about to cross a railroad track not to stop and' look for trains. It may be so under some circumstances, and under others, not.\nAnd when the jury have said, as they did by their verdict in this case, that under all the circumstances attending this unfortunate accident there was ordinary care upon the part of appellee\u2019s son, we see no good reason for interfering.\nThe judgment of the Circuit Court will be affirmed.\nJudgment affirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "Conger, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Messrs. W. E. Lodge and Blinn & Hoblit, for appellant.", "Messrs. A. J. Barr and Beach & Hodnett, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad Company v. Francis M. Barr.\nRailroads\u2014Injury at Highway Crossing\u2014Negligence\u2014Failure to Give Statutory Signal\u2014Obstruction to View\u2014Contributory Negligence\u2014Special In errogatories\u2014Answers to\u2014Evidence\u2014Instructions.\n1. It is negligence in a railroad company to allow its right of way to Recome so grown with vegetation at a crossing as to obstruct, the view of ils servants approaching the same by train, or of persons upon the highway.\n2. It is prima facie negligence to omit the statutory signal upon approaching a crossing.\n3. It is not necessarily negligent in a person to fail to stop and listen upon approaching a crossing.\n4. In an action brought to recover damages from a railroad company for injuries received at a highway crossing, this court declines'to interfere with a. verdict for the plaintiff.\n\u00f1. The jury may answer that they do not know, in reply to special interrogatories touching matters to which the evidence does not warrant any other.\n[Opinion filed February 21, 1889.]\nAppeal from the Circuit Court of Logan County; the Hon. Cyrus Epler, Judge, presiding.\nMessrs. W. E. Lodge and Blinn & Hoblit, for appellant.\nApply the principle of law laid down by our Supreme Court in L. S. & M. S. R. R. Co. v. Hart, 87 Ills. 529, to this case, and the plaintiff must fail. The court there say on page 534, that it is the duty of every person about to cross a railroad track to approach cautiously, and endeavor to ascertain if there is present danger in crossing, otherwise they can not recover for injury thereby received.\nMessrs. A. J. Barr and Beach & Hodnett, for appellee.\nWhether the son of appellee exercised due care and prudence was a question of fact and not of law. C., St. L. & P. R. R. Co. v. Hutchinson, 120 Ill. 587; C. & A. R. R. Co. v. Carey, 115 Ill. 115.\nUnder the facts of this case the plaintiff .was entitled to recover. C., B. & Q. Ry. v. Payne, adm\u2019r, 59 Ill. 534; St. L. & T. H. Ry. Co. v. Faitz, 23 Ill. App. 498.\nIf there is evidence in the record when considered alone that is sufficient to sustain the verdict, that will be sufficient. Ill. & St. L. Ry. & C. Co. v. Ogle, 92 Ill. 353; Calvert v. Carpenter, 96 Ill. 63; Chapman v. Burt, 77 Ill. 337.\nWhere the evidence is conflicting the verdict must be held to settle the questions of fact. Conrad Seipp Brewing Co. v. Doody, 25 Ill. App. 305; Winslow v. City of Bloomington, 24 Ill. App. 647.\nA charge of negligence presents a question of fact, and unless the verdict is clearly against the weight of the evidence it will be final. C., M. & St. P. R. R. Co. v. Krueger, 23 Ill. App. 639.\nFailure to ring bell or sound whistle makes pri?nafacie case of negligence. G. & C. U. R. R. Co. v. Loomis, 13 Ill. 548; C. & A. R. R. Co. v. Elmore, 67 Ill. 176.\nThe jury are the judges of the credibility of the witnesses, and are not governed by the number of witnesses. K. N. L. P. Co. v. True, 88 Ill. 608.\nThe general verdict was not in conflict with the special findings. C. & A. R. R. Co. v. Murray, 71 Ill. 601.\nIt is negligence in a railway company to suffer weeds to grow on its right of way, to such a height as to materially obstruct the view of a highway crossing. I. & St. L. B. B. Co. v. Smith, 78 Ill. 112; 5. & M. R. R. Co. v. Clutter, 82 Ill. 123." }, "file_name": "0057-01", "first_page_order": 53, "last_page_order": 58 }