{ "id": 8653897, "name": "M. E. BRADLEY et als. v. CAMP MANUFACTURING COMPANY", "name_abbreviation": "Bradley v. Camp Manufacturing Co.", "decision_date": "1919-02-26", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "153", "last_page": "156", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "177 N.C. 153" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "175 N. C., 694", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8661633 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/175/0694-01" ] }, { "cite": "175 N. C., 354", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659353 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/175/0354-01" ] }, { "cite": "160 N. C., 370", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "168 N. C., 570", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8661578 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/168/0570-01" ] }, { "cite": "154 N. C., 389", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652477 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/154/0389-01" ] }, { "cite": "149 N. C., 117", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11269774 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/149/0117-01" ] }, { "cite": "114 N. C., 207", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "142 N. C., 242", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "140 N. C., 623", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652752 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/140/0623-01" ] }, { "cite": "89 N. C., 321", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8683221 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/89/0321-01" ] }, { "cite": "173 N. C., 9", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11268524 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/173/0009-01" ] }, { "cite": "133 N C., 692", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659405 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/133/0692-01" ] }, { "cite": "175 N. C., 731", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8662246 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/175/0731-01" ] }, { "cite": "112 N. C., 870", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "162 N. C., 672", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11272346 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/162/0672-01" ] }, { "cite": "153 N. C., 638", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11273632 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/153/0638-01" ] }, { "cite": "158 N. C., 215", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655018 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/158/0215-01" ] }, { "cite": "176 N. C., 509", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8656525 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/176/0509-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 462, "char_count": 7644, "ocr_confidence": 0.477, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.6389400922782328e-07, "percentile": 0.6907649828233229 }, "sha256": "6713edb56a5a5a4cfe139f82783e7837ba3a923baa5082b81ea29dba522e581a", "simhash": "1:a8a4fdeeda9fb0a9", "word_count": 1342 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:15:26.203458+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "M. E. BRADLEY et als. v. CAMP MANUFACTURING COMPANY." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Walker, J.\nAs to Massey\u2019s testimony concerning the value of the-timber, there was no error, because he testified that, irrespective of what' he got for his own timber, or its value, he was of the opinion that the-\u25a0difference in value of plaintiff\u2019s land before and after the fire was between $15 and $20 per acre. We do not concede, though,'that the objection was made in proper time, or that it was not within the discretion of' the court whether or not it would consider it.\nThe question asked the witness, J. A. Shaw, was leading, and properly excluded on that ground, even if it was otherwise competent, which it seems not to be. G. F. U. Warehouse Co. v. Am. Agr. Chemical Co., 176 N. C., 509.\nThe remarks of counsel to which exception was taken were not such a flagrant abuse of their privilege as to be ground for a new trial. It is apparent that no real harm was done, and the jury doubtless passed it by, without prejudice, as being merely a too fervid utterance of counsel in the heat of debate. It was intended only to emphasize the absurdity of defendant\u2019s very small estimate of the plaintiff\u2019s loss. It is one of the inseparable incidents of all trials, and should not be taken too hard, but overlooked upon the principle of \u201cgive and take.\u201d It was provoked, too, by what the defendant had previously said.\nThe judge\u2019s charge as to damages was sufficient to prevent injury to the defendant in this case from the remark.\nWe do not agree with the learned counsel that there was any intimation of opinion by the court upon the facts. When it is supposed to have occurred, the judge was only stating the allegations, or contentions, of the plaintiff, and the nature of the case, and not expressing any view of his own. If he misstated them, his attention should have been called to it then, when timely correction could be made by him. It is too late after verdict to complain. Jeffrees v. R. R., 158 N. C., 215; S. v. Cox, 153 N. C., 638; S. v. Blackwell, 162 N. C., 672; S. v. Merrick, 112 N. C., 870; S. v. Johnson, ibid., 920; S. v. Earl Neville, 175 N. C., 731. He who fails to speak when his time comes to be heard will not be heard when he should be silent. He will not be allowed two chances at the verdict. S. v. Tyson, 133 N C., 692. But a mere recital of contentions, as we have seen, is no expression of an opinion upon the facts or the weight of the testimony. Jarvis v. Swain, 173 N. C., 9. Restricting plaintiff\u2019s maximum recovery to the amount stated in the complaint was in favor of defendant, and surely is no expression of opinion that the damages should be the amount thus claimed. If defendant desired more specific instructions as to damages, it should have asked for them.\nThe charge upon negligence, when considered as a whole, was in accordance with our decisions upon the subject. Aycock v. R. R., 89 N. C., 321; Williams v. R. R., 140 N. C., 623; Knott v. R. R., 142 N. C., 242; Haynes v. Gas Co., 114 N. C., 207; Cox v. R. R., 149 N. C., 117; Kornegay v. R. R., 154 N. C., 389; McRainey v. R. R., 168 N. C., 570; Aman v. Lumber Co., 160 N. C., 370, and especially Boney v. R. R., 175 N. C., 354, where the principal cases are collected and the doctrine stated. The charge must be construed as a whole. Kornegay v. R. R., supra.\nThere was sufficient evidence to prove that the track was foul, and also the space within 10 feet of it, and that the fire started there and burned the adjoining lands. It was for the jury to say whether the engine was properly* equipped and bandied, as the cases we have just cited show; and it was for-the defendant to satisfy the jury that there was no negligence in this respect to take the chance of an adverse verdict. The facts were peculiarly within its knowledge, as it had the possession and control of the engine, and could establish them better than could the plaintiff. Haynes v. Gas Co., supra.\nWe may further say that the exception to the charge is too broad, as it embraces two separate propositions, one of which is plainly correct. Quelch v. Futch, 175 N. C., 694, and cases cited.\nThere is no merit in the other exceptions.\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "Walker, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "W. L. Long, W. LI. 8. Burgwyn, and George G. Green for plaintiff.", "Winborne & Winborne, Peebles & Harris, and G. K. Midyette for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "M. E. BRADLEY et als. v. CAMP MANUFACTURING COMPANY.\n(Filed 26 February, 1919.)\n.1. Fires \u2014 Damages\u2014Evidence.\nWhere the defendant is responsible in damages for the destruction of timber growing upon the plaintiff\u2019s lands, which it negligently set on fire, testimony of the difference between the value of the land before and after the burning is competent upon the issue as to the amount of damages recoverable in the action.\n:2. Appeal and Error \u2014 Questions and Answers \u2014 Leading Questions.\nNo error on appeal will be found the exclusion by the trial judge of a leading question ashed by a party of his own witness.\n.3. Trials \u2014 Counsel\u2014Arguments\u2014Instructions.\nA remark of counsel in his address to the jury will not be considered, on appeal, as such a flagrant abuse of his privilege as to warrant a new-trial, when it appears that the jury doubtless passed it by without prejudice as being merely a too fervid utterance in the heat of debate, and the ' judge\u2019s charge was sufficient to prevent an injurious- effect upon the adversary party.\n-4. Instructions \u2014 Contentions \u2014 Misstatements \u2014 Court\u2019s Opinion \u2014 Contentions \u2014 Appeal and Error \u2014 Objections and Exceptions.\nAn objection to a statement. by the trial judge of the allegations and contentions of the parties should be made at the time to afford him an opportunity for correction, or it will not be considered on appeal'; nor will the statement be regarded as an intimation by the judge of his own \u2022 ' opinion. - \u25a0\n5. Instruction \u2014 Court\u2019s Opinion \u2014 Damages\u2014Pleadings\u2014Appeal and Error \u2014 - Prayers for Instruction.\nTlie mere restriction of the amount of damages recoverable in an action to the demand therefor, as stated in the complaint, is not to the defendant\u2019s prejudice nor objectionable, as an expression of the opinion of the-judge thereon, it being required that defendant offer special prayers if he-desired more specific instructions as to the measure of damages.\n6. Fires \u2014 Damages\u2014Timber\u2014Evidence.\nIn this action to recover damages for the negligent setting fire to the-timber on plaintiff\u2019s lands, there was evidence tending to show that a spark from defendant\u2019s engine set fire to defendant\u2019s foul right of way and' burned the plaintiff\u2019s adjoining lands, and it is held sufficient to take the-case to the jury, it being incumbent on the defendant to satisfy the jury that its engine, which was in its possession and control, was properly equipped and handled, they being matters peculiarly within its own knowledge, or take the chance of an adverse verdict.\n7. Appeal and Error' \u2014 Indefinite Objection and Exception \u2014 Exception to-Charge Containing Two Propositions, One Correct and the Other Not.\nExceptions to the judge\u2019s charge, embracing two separate propositions, one of which is correct, is too broad, and will not be considered on appeal.\nBrown, J., not sitting.\nAction tried before Kerr, J., and a jury, at August Term, 1918, of' N ORTHAMPTON.\nPlaintiff alleged that the timber, brush, rails, and fences on his land\u2019 were burned by sparks which came from defendant\u2019s locomotive engine-as it passed near plaintiff\u2019s premises, and that the fire was caused by the-negligence of the defendant.\nThere was ample testimony to show that the fire was set out by defendant\u2019s engine, and the jury found that it was negligently done, and assessed the damages. Defendant appealed from the judgment upon the-Aierdict.\nW. L. Long, W. LI. 8. Burgwyn, and George G. Green for plaintiff.\nWinborne & Winborne, Peebles & Harris, and G. K. Midyette for defendant." }, "file_name": "0153-01", "first_page_order": 211, "last_page_order": 214 }