{ "id": 8611695, "name": "CARL F. SPAUGH, SR., and wife, OPAL SPAUGH v. CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM", "name_abbreviation": "Spaugh v. City of Winston-Salem", "decision_date": "1958-11-19", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "194", "last_page": "199", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "249 N.C. 194" } ], "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": "101 S.E. 2d 460", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "247 N.C. 423", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627322 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "432" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/247/0423-01" ] }, { "cite": "8 S.E. 2d 605", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "217 N.C. 488", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8611163 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/217/0488-01" ] }, { "cite": "274 S.W. 172", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "case_ids": [ 10296251 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sw/274/0172-01" ] }, { "cite": "260 S.W. 300", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "case_ids": [ 10303800 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sw/260/0300-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 S.E. 556", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "115 Va. 289", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Va.", "case_ids": [ 4803462 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/va/115/0289-01" ] }, { "cite": "94 S.E. 2d 478", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "244 N.C. 529", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2219574 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/244/0529-01" ] }, { "cite": "89 S.E. 2d 144", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "242 N.C. 584", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8619395 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/242/0584-01" ] }, { "cite": "9 S.E. 2d 381", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "217 N.C. 686", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8615960 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/217/0686-01" ] }, { "cite": "48 S.E. 642", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "136 N.C. 89", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658805 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/136/0089-01" ] }, { "cite": "2 S.E. 2d 881", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "215 N.C. 700", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8631604 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/215/0700-01" ] }, { "cite": "3 S.E. 2d 267", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "215 N.C. 745", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8631962 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "748" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/215/0745-01" ] }, { "cite": "87 S.E. 2d 561", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "242 N.C. 263", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8613120 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/242/0263-01" ] }, { "cite": "86 S.E. 2d 786", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "242 N.C. 93", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8609713 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/242/0093-01" ] }, { "cite": "95 S.E. 2d 541", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "245 N.C. 123", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8606196 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "128" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/245/0123-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 626, "char_count": 13209, "ocr_confidence": 0.555, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.5934339180263287e-07, "percentile": 0.8188367352691218 }, "sha256": "c5bc63220ebb3e394ed7b681d393715af468f84ad4b179a86134fe09efba58cd", "simhash": "1:173f356022e4507b", "word_count": 2178 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:25:15.863799+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "PARKER, J., not sitting." ], "parties": [ "CARL F. SPAUGH, SR., and wife, OPAL SPAUGH v. CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Bobbitt, J.\nDefendant\u2019s only assignments of error are based on its exceptions to the overruling of its motions for judgment of nonsuit. The only motion to be considered is that made by defendant at the close of all the evidence. G.S. 1-183; Murray v. Wyatt, 245 N.C. 123, 128, 95 S.E. 2d 541.\nWhile the record is silent as to the ground (s) on which defendant based its motion for judgment of nonsuit when it was considered and overruled by Judge Gwyn, defendant asserts here a fatal variance between plaintiffs\u2019 allegata and probata as the ground on which its motion should have been allowed, citing Andrews v. Bruton, 242 N.C. 93, 86 S.E. 2d 786, and similar cases. The rule is well established that judgment of nonsuit is proper when there is a fatal variance between a plaintiff\u2019s allegata and probata. Whether the variance is to be deemed material (fatal) must be resolved in the light of the facts of each case. G.S. 1-168; Dennis v. Albemarle, 242 N.C. 263, 87 S.E. 2d 561.\nThe gist of defendant\u2019s argument is that plaintiffs alleged a cause of action to recover permanent damages based on \u201ca permanent and continuing and recurring nuisance upon the plaintiff\u2019s lands\u201d; and that, since plaintiffs did not seek or allege damages of a temporary nature, the court erred in overruling defendant\u2019s motion for nonsuit.\nTo consider defendant\u2019s position in proper perspective, it should be noted that defendant did not bring forward any exception relating to what transpired prior or subsequent to the overruling of its motion for judgment of nonsuit. Whether there was a fatal variance between plaintiffs\u2019 allegata and probata was determinable at the conclusion of all the evidence. Errors, if any, occurring thereafter, have no bearing upon the correctness of the court\u2019s ruling on defendant\u2019s motion for judgment of nonsuit.\nAs stated by Barnhill, J. (later C. J.), in Clinard v. Kernersville, 215 N.C. 745, 748, 3 S.E. 2d 267: \u201cAn action by a landowner against a municipality or corporation possessing the right of condemnation for the maintenance of a continuing nuisance which adversely affects the value of plaintiffs\u2019 land is, by a demand for permanent damage either by the plaintiff or by the defendant, converted into an action in the nature of a condemnation proceedings for the assessment of damages for the value of the land or easement taken. The assessment of permanent damages for the maintenance of a continuing nuisance as here alleged and the payment of such damages vests the defendant with an easement entitling it to a continued use of the property in the same manner.\u201d Whether permanent damages may be awarded does not depend upon the consent of both parties as in a similar action against a private manufacturing corporation. Aydlett v. ByProducts Co., 215 N.C. 700, 2 S.E. 2d 881.\nA cause of action consists of the facts alleged in the complaint. G.S. 1-122; Lassiter v. R. R., 136 N.C. 89, 48 S.E. 642. Plaintiffs alleged damages to their lands on account of the pollution of Salem Creek by defendant. True, plaintiffs alleged and sought to recover permanent damages and offered much evidence in support of these allegations. (Note: Defendant abandoned .all its exceptions to the admission of such evidence.) Nothing else appearang, plaintiffs were entitled to recover permanent damages for the partial taking of their lands, vesting in defendant a permanent easement, in accordance with legal principles declared and applied in Clinard v. Kernersville, supra; S. c., 217 N.C. 686, 9 S.E. 2d 381, and in Eller v. Board of Education, 242 N.C. 584, 89 S.E. 2d 144; S. c., 244 N.C. 529, 94 S.E. 2d 478.\nWe need not determine whether plaintiffs, when all the evidence is considered, were entitled to have submitted an issue as to permanent damages. Suffice to say, there was no variance between plaintiffs\u2019 allegata and probata.\nDefendant, in support of its allegations, offered evidence tending to show that the damage, if any, to plaintiffs\u2019 lands caused by the pollution of Salem Creek would be abated upon completion of its new and modern sewage treatment plant. The court, (not the jury,) accepted such assurances, and in reliance thereon limited plaintiffs\u2019 recovery to temporary damages. Nothing in the record suggests that tiffs was done at the instance of plaintiffs or that plaintiffs at any time changed their theory of the action. Rather, the clear implication is that the court adopted defendant\u2019s theory of the action and submitted issues appropriate thereto. Under such circumstances, defendant may not, after trial, defeat plaintiffs\u2019 right to recover on the ground that they did) not specifically allege and seek to recover temporary damages.\n' Whether plaintiffs were entitled to recover permanent damages or temporary damages, the basis of recovery was the damage to their lands on account of the pollution of Salem Creek. When the court, under the circumstances here disclosed, limited the extent of plaintiffs\u2019 recovery to temporary damages, it was not inappropriate for the court to proceed on the theory that plaintiffs\u2019 allegations of damages resulting from a permanent taking embraced a lesser claim for damages if plaintiffs were restricted by the court to the temporary damages they sustained during a limited period. Virginia Ry. & Power Co. v. Ferebee, 115 Va. 289. 78 S.E. 556.\nCity of Austin v. Bush, Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, Austin, 260 S.W. 300, and Ehlert v. Galveston H. & S. A. Ry. Co., Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, Galveston, 274 S.W. 172; cited by defendant, contain 'Statements to the effect that a landowner is not entitled to have his case submitted to the jury on an issue as to temporary damages when his allegations assert permanent damages and nothing else. Since the cited oases are not controlling in this jurisdiction, we need not explore the factual distinctions between them and the case at band. In City of Austin v. Bush, supra, these \u00edacts are noted: The landowner alleged permanent damages on account of a nuisance caused by the operation of the city\u2019s sewage disposal plant. The court submitted -issues relating solely to permanent damages. The city, under its general denial, had offered evidence tending to show that it had abated the nuisance and that the matters -of which the landowner complained were occasioned 'by carelessness of its employees or by accident and were therefore temporary in character. The error for which a new trial was awarded was the court\u2019s failure to submit to the jury an issue as to whether the alleged nuisance was of a permanent or temporary character.\nTrue, as defendant contends, citing Oates v. Mfg. Co., 217 N.C. 488, 8 S.E. 2d 605, in actions to recover temporary damages the rule as to the measure of damages is different from that applicable in actions to recover permanent damages. But plaintiffs, in addition to their evidence relating to permanent damages, offered evidence relevant .to temporary -damages; and it is presumed that the court correctly instructed the jury -as to the evidence -and the measure of damages relevant to the recovery of temporary damages. Moore v. Humphrey, 247 N.C. 423, 432, 101 S.E. 2d 460.\nDefendant brought forward no exception which, if allowed, would constitute a ground -for a new trial. It would appear that plaintiffs\u2019 recovery was not excessive.\nNo error.\nPARKER, J., not sitting.", "type": "majority", "author": "Bobbitt, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Deal, Hutchins \u25a0& Minor for plaintiffs, appellees.", "Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice for defendant, appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "CARL F. SPAUGH, SR., and wife, OPAL SPAUGH v. CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM.\n(Filed 19 November, 1958.)\n1. Appeal and Error \u00a7 51\u2014\nWhere defendant introduces evidence, only the correctness of the denial of its motion for judgment of nonsuit at the close of all the evidence is presented for decision. G.S. 1-183.\n2. Trial \u00a7 23f\u2014\nNonsuit is properly allowed when there is a material variance between plaintiff\u2019s allegation and proof, and whether there is such fatal variance must be resolved in the light of the facts of each case. G.S. 1-168.\n3. Pleadings \u00a7 3a\u2014\nA cause of action consists of the facts alleged in the complaint G.S. 1-122.\n4. Municipal Corporations \u00a7 14b\u2014\nWhere plaintiffs sue for permanent damages to their lands resulting from the discharge of sewage into a stream by defendant municipality, and offer evidence that their land was being damaged therefrom, there is no variance between plaintiff's allegation and proof so as to justify nonsuit, notwithstanding that the court, upon defendant\u2019s evidence that \u25a0the nuisance would be abated by a definite date, submits the issue as to temporary rather than permanent damage.\nParker, J., not sitting.\nAppeal by defendant from Gwyn, J., April 21, 1958, Term, of FORSYTH.\nIn two separately stated causes of action, plaintiffs alleged the facts summarized in the following three numbered paragraphs.\n1. The first cause of action relates to damages to their home place, containing about 42 acres, located in Forsyth County, south of Winston-Salem, about 100 yards from Salem Creek. The second cause of action relates to damages to a different tract, containing about 33% acres, located partly in Forsyth and partly in Davidson Counties, which includes a part of the bed of Salem Creek. The basis of each cause of action is the pollution by defendant of Salem Creek by emptying therein raw and partly and inadequately treated sewage.\n2. First cause of action. Their home place, by reason of the noxious, offensive and nauseating odors emanating from the sewage emptied by defendant into Salem Creek, had' become unfit for use and human habitation. The acts of defendant created and caused a continuing and recurring nuisance, constituting a taking of their property, whereby its market value was destroyed. Plaintiffs were damaged thereby in the sum of $25,000.00.\n3. Second cause of action. Plaintiffs had used the part of the bed of Salem Creek included in their 33% acre tract for many years for the purpose of pumping sand out of the creek and selling it to the public, principally for use in construction work. The sand in the creek bed on their property, by reason of said pollution of Salem Creek by defendant, had become unusable and unmarketable. On account of said continuing and recurring nuisance, constituting a taking of their property, plaintiffs were damaged in the amount of $5,000.00. \u25a0\nAnswering, defendant admitted (1) that its sewage disposal or treatment plant then in use had been in operation since 1926; and (2) that since August, 1956, it had been necessary, as a temporary measure only, to empty small and limited amounts of untreated sewage, from a new outfall sewer line, into Salem Creek. Defendant denied that plaintiffs\u2019 properties had been damaged as alleged.\nIn its further answer and defense, defendant alleged, in substance, that it had become necessary, by reason of the extension of its city limits and the increase in population, to enlarge its sewage treatment facilities; that it was then constructing a new and modern sewage treatment plant on land purchased for that purpose; that construction thereof was commenced in 1956 and would be completed in May, 1959, at which time all sewage collected by defendant would flow through said plant and be treated in a highly efficient and satisfactory manner; and that the use of the new outfall sewer line, through which a small and limited amount of untreated sewage flowed into Salem Creek, would cease upon completion of the new plant in May, 1959.\nIn addition, defendant pleaded (1) G.S. 1-53, the two year statute of limitations, in -bar of plaintiffs\u2019 right to -recover \u201cfor any and all such conduct on its part, and any damages therefrom which accrued or occurred more than two years prior to the presentation of claim therefor by plaintiffs on June 2, 1957\u201d; and (2) Sec. 115 of the Charter of the City of Winston-Salem, requiring that all claims or demands against the City of Winston-Salem be presented within 90 days after such claim accrued, in bar of plaintiffs\u2019 right to recover \u201cfor any and all such conduct on its part, and any damage therefrom which accrued or occurred prior to about the first day of April, 1957.\u201d\nBoth plaintiffs and defendant offered evidence in support of their respective allegations.\nAt the close of the evidence, the court overruled defendant\u2019s motion for judgment of involuntary nonsuit. Thereupon, the court submitted the following issues, answered by the jury as indicated, to wit:\n\u201c1. Is the plaintiffs\u2019 cause barred by the three-year statute of limitations, as alleged in the Answer? Answer: Yes, except from June 24, 1954.\n\u201c2. Has the defendant damaged the home tract of the plaintiffs by operation and maintenance of its sewer system? Answer: Yes.\n\u201c3. What amount, if any, is- the defendant indebted to the plaintiffs because of temporary damages to the home tract? Answer $1500.00.\n\u201c4. Did the defendant damage the sand producing lands of the plaintiffs by the operation and maintenance of its sewer system? Answer: Yes.\n\u201c5. What amount, if any, is the defendant indebted to the plaintiffs because of the temporary damage to their sand producing lands? Answer: $1200.00.\u201d\nThe court entered judgment in accordance with the verdict. Defendant excepted and appealed.\nDeal, Hutchins \u25a0& Minor for plaintiffs, appellees.\nWomble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice for defendant, appellant." }, "file_name": "0194-01", "first_page_order": 236, "last_page_order": 241 }