Coe v. Winnepisiogee Lake Cotton & Woolen Manufacturing Co.

Sawyer, J.

In considering the questions raised in this case by the general demurrer to the bill, the facts set forth by the complainant, as constituting the grievance for which he seeks relief, must be taken as true. These facts, as alleged, divested of technicalities in the form of stating them, are substantially the following: The complainant, John Ooe, is the owner of several parcels of land, one of which, is a farm situated in Center Harbor, on the southern shore of Squam lake, and the others are woodlands on certain island therein. From the products of these lands and the avails of the tillage, pastuxing and wood thereon, he has heretofore derived profit and advantage. He has never made any grant, lease, sale or license of the right to flow or drain off, or in any way control the water of the lake. There is another body of water called Little Squam, situated in Holderness, connected with this lake by a river, through which the water flows from Squam to Little Squam, and thence by its outlet, called Squam river. La 1847 the defendants constructed a dam acx’oss this rivex’, at the outlet of Little Squam, by means of which the water was x’aised, and the lands of the coxnplainant flowed to some extent. In 1852 or 1858, they enlarged the channel of the river in its depth and width, for some distance from the outlet of Little Squam, and in 1854 they enlarged the channel of the stream in its whole extent between the two lakes, making it about three feet deeper than its natural bed, and in many places changing its course. By means of this enlargemexxt they drew off the water from the surface of Squam lake, in the summer of 1856, to the depth of about three feet below the natural surface, and to the same extent lower than it had ever before been, whereby some of the trees and grass growing on the complainant’s land were killed, and the land itself thrown open and common with the adjoining lands, in consequexxce of the receding of the water from the division fences, and he was thereby compelled to build additional fences. Since 1856 the defendants have continued the work of excavatixxg the bed of the river at the outlet of Little Squam, and for some distance below it, and also of the stream between the two lakes, and have lowered the channel about seven feet below the natural bed. This work of excavating and enlax’ging the channel is nearly completed throughout the whole extent of the stream between the two lakes. Since the building of the dam at the outlet of the Little Squam, the defendants have repaired and reconstructed it, and have raised it two feet above its original height, so that now they are able to flow back the water of Squam lake two feet higher than former high-water mark; and by means of their excavation and enlargement of the channel, when completed, they will be able to draw it about seven feet below the natural low-water mark. It is their purpose and intention to complete the excavations in which they are engaged, through the whole extent between the two lakes, and in the river, and when completed to make use of them at their pleasure, for draining off the water, and of the dam, for flowing it back to the full extent to which it may be drained and flowed by means of these works.

These are the matters of fact stated in the bill. Other matters are charged which are to be considered in connection with them in determining the questions raised by the demurrer.

It is charged that, in the belief of the complainant, the defendants had no right to build or maintain the dam, or to reconstruct it, or increase its height, and that the erection and maintenance of it was and is in derogation of the rights of the complainant, and of all others owning lands bordering on the lakes, or lying within their waters, and was and is a nuisance.

It is also charged that by means of the dam the defendants are able to throw back the water to such extent that the complainant’s fences are thereby liable to be thrown down, his lands and crops exposed to the incursions of cattle from the adjoining lands, and his wood and grass to damage. The bill also charges in like manner, that by means of the excavation of the channel of the stream, when completed, the defendants will be able to draw off' the water to an extent greater than, in the belief of the complainant, they have the right to do, and that the consequences of tlieir carrying into effect their purposes and intentions, will he to destroy his grass, and thereby diminish the value of his land for mowing or pasturage; to destroy or check the growth of his trees; to expose his lands to the incursions of cattle; to impose upon him the bur-then of maintaining additional fences ; to hinder and obstruct the passage of logs from Squam lake through the channel to Little Squam, and from thence to the saw-mills on Squam river, at Holderness Tillage-; to deprive him of the rightful enjoyment of his land and privileges, and to work his irreparable injury.

The prayer of the bill is for an injunction to restrain the defendants from further prosecuting the work of excavating and enlarging the channel between the lakes and the bed of Squam river; from drawing off the water to any greater extent than it was naturally accustomed to flow before the building of the dam ; from throwing back the water by means of the dam upon the complainant’s land, and from maintaining any dam or other obstruction at the outlet or elsewhere, which may enable them to control the flow of the water; for a decree that the defendants remove the dam and restore the outlet and channels to the condition in which they were before the erection of the dam, by filling up the excavations, and for general relief.

Upon the facts stated, and the other matters charged in the bill, the question to be decided upon the demurrer is, whether the case presented is one of which a court of equity may properly take cognizance, or whether the jurisdiction is to be declined for want of equity in the bill. ■

It may be assumed that the facts stated are sufficient to constitute the case of a private nuisance. It is well settled that both public and private nuisances may, under some circumstances, fall within the jurisdiction of a court of equity, both in reference to obtaining redress for injuries already sustained, and relief from further molestation by the abatement of the nuisance. Story’s Eq. Ju., sec. 925. In Coulson v. White, 8 Atk. 21, Lord Hardwicke observed tbat a common trespass is not the foundation for an injunction where it is only contingent and temporary, but that if it continues so long as to become a nuisance, the court will interfere and grant an injunction. The obtaining of redress for past injury, or relief from future mischief, on account of an alleged nuisance as the direct and primary object of the bill, is not, however, of itself a branch of equity jurisprudence. The equity to support the proceedings in a case of that nature must be sought in other considerations than the mere fact that the complainant has sustained or is about to sustain damages from the alleged acts of the defendant, amounting in their character to a nuisance. In section 925 of Story’s Eq. Ju., it is said, “ it is not every case which would furnish a right of action against a party for a nuisance which will justify the interposition of a court of equity to redress the injury or remove the annoyance.” The jurisdiction, he says, “ is undoubtedly founded upon the ground of restraining irreparable mischief, or suppressing interminable litigation, or preventing multiplieify of suits.” In the case of Attorney General v. Nichol, 16 Vesey 338, Lord Eldon says: “ There are private nuisances which will support an action on the case, but which will not support an injunction.” The same is laid down in 3 Dan. Ch. 1858.

It is not, then, because the bill alleges a state of facts and charges matters, which, if all true and well founded, would constitute a private nuisance, and charges damages sustained or apprehended from it, that the jurisdiction is entertained, but because other matters appear upon the face of the bill, which are recognized as ground for the interposition of a court of equity.

In a case reported as anon., 1 Ves. 476, a bill was filed, praying for an injunction to restrain the defendants from using ferry boats to the prejudice of the plaintiff’s ferry, whose right to its exclusive use had been established by a decree of the court, and the record of this decree was held by Lord Hardwiche to be a sufficient ground for granting the injunction before answer. In Brown’s Case, 2 Ves. 414, a like bill was dismissed by the same lord chancellor, because the bill did not set forth that the plaintiff’s right to the ferry had been established at law; and he stated that the rule by which he felt himself bound to be governed in a case of private nuisance of that character, was, that the right set up and alleged to be violated must have been established at law, or that it must appear to have been enjoyed for a period of not less than three years.

In Weller v. Smeaton, 1 Coxe 102, the bill alleged that the defendant had erected flood-gates, by which the plaintiff’s ancient mill was damaged. The flood-gates appeared, from the statements of the bill, to have been erected more than three years. The prayer was for an injunction to stay the use of the flood-gates, and for their abatement; but the bill contained no allegation that the right of the plaintiff to the use of his mill, free from the molestation or disturbance caused by them, had been established at law. A general demurrer was filed to the bill for want of equity, and it was held good, because the plaintiff’s right had not thus been established. In Churchman v. Tunstall, Hard. 162, where a bill was filed by the tenant of an ancient ferry, to suppress a new one, and to obtain an injunction against renewing it, the bill was dismissed upon the same ground.

The cases in New-York are to the same effect. Attorney General v. Utica Ins. Co., 2 Johns. Ch. 379; Van Bergen v. Van Bergen, 3 Johns. Ch. 282; Reid v. Gifford, 6 Johns. Ch. 19. Similar doctrine is held in Massachusetts. In Dana & als. v. Valentine, 5 Met. 8, it is said by Wilde, J., “it has frequently been decided that when works have been suffered to remain three years and upwards, that is considered such laches as to preclude the party from having relief in a court of equity without going first to law,” and in that case it was decided that if it be doubtful, on the evidence, whether the defendant had the right to do the acts complained of, the court will not restrain him by injunction until the party complaining has established his right to redress in a suit at law; and that the court will not retain the bill until a trial of the right at law, and issue a temporary injunction to restrain the defendant in the mean time, unless there is danger of irreparable injury to the plaintiff. In Ingraham v. Dunnell & als., 5 Met. 118, it was held that a party is not entitled to an injunction to restrain a private nuisance, unless the injury arising from it will probably be irreparable, or cannot be compensated by damages recovered in a suit at law. The bill in that case was dismissed, because the plaintiff had not established his right at law, and it did not appear that there was such danger of irreparable mischief as to warrant the court in retaining the bill for the purpose of directing an issue to be tried, and in the mean time restraining the defendant by a temporary injunction. The same doctrine is held in Maine. Porter v. Witham, 17 Me. 292. These cases proceed upon the ground that the equity jurisdiction is to be entertained, when, upon the facts presented, there is danger of irreparable injury, or of damage of such nature that adequate compensation cannot be recovered at law, or when the plaintiff, having established his right to decline the jurisdiction, would subject him to oppressive and interminable litigation.

It is claimed by the plaintiff that these grounds for taking cognizance of the bill are presented in this case. It is said that the case alleged is one of danger of irreparable .mischief, unless the proceedings of the defendants are arrested by the interposition of this court, and that the plaintiff expressly charges irreparable damage as the result of their acts. The statement of the bill that such irreparable mischief will follow, is to be regarded only as an expression by the plaintiff of the views entertained by him upon his ease. The court are not precluded by the matter charged from looking to the facts alleged, as setting forth the nature of the grievance, and the extent and character of the threatened injury, for the purpose of determining whether, upon the facts, the ease is or may be one of irreparable injury. If it is clearly to be seen, from the subject matter of the alleged injury, and the natui’e of the wrong complained of, that such irreparable mischief may be wrought, there can be no doubt of the propriety of entertaining the bill. In a case of that character the court will take cognizance of it; and if the case requires it, direct a trial by jury, to try the plaintiff’s right, in the mean time restraining the defendants by injunction from all injurious proceedings, and when the right is established make the injunction perpetual. Story’s Eq. Ju., sec. 927.

Upon looking to the facts alleged, they present nothing of a peculiar or extraordinary character, either in the subject matter or nature of the injury threatened. The destruction of the plaintiff’s grass and timber; the deterioration of his land ; the throwing it open to cattle, thus rendering additional fences necessary, and the obstruction to the passage of logs, assuming that all these are the necessary consequences of the proceedings of the defendants, are the usual consequences of direct trespasses to land, or of torts, for which consequential damages may be recovered, and for which adequate compensation may be given at law. They are not of that ruinous and irremediable character to constitute a case of pressing necessity for arresting them. The exigency of the case is not thus urgent.

If the defendants should be restrained temporarily from proceeding with their work, and from using their dam and other appliances, for the beneficial enjoyment of their water power, it is not at all improbable that serious injury may thereby be occasioned to them, and for which they would have no redress, although it might be found in the result that the proceedings from which they were enjoined were in fact but the exercise of their legal rights. This consideration is no otherwise important than as furnishing ground for the exercise of great caution in the application of a remedy for one party, which may work an equal mischief to the other. Eden on Inj. 274.

It is also said that the bill may be entertained on the ground that it will avoid a multiplicity of suits, and suppress vexatious litigation, to which the plaintiff will otherwise be driven. A suit at law between these parties, to determine the character of the acts complained of— whether tortious or rightful — cannot be deemed oppressive litigation. A trial of that question must be had if the bill is entertained, and no more is required at law. The multiplicity of suits and vexatious litigation will arise when the plaintiff, having established his right by one suit at law, is driven, by repetitions of the wrong, to bring a fresh suit for every fresh injury. If he had established his right by one such suit, his application for relief in equity might well stand upon the ground suggested — that to leave him to his legal remedy would subject bim to vexatious litigation. Equity would then interpose, upon the ground that the law afforded him no adequate remedy —the only remedy which that gives him being his action for past damages, to be repeated as often as the cause of action is repeated.

Again, it is said that the case presented is one in which the remedy at law is not complete and adequate, and that the superior efficacy and adaptedness of proceedings in equity to the prompt administration of justice, furnish ground for assuming the jurisdiction. The reasoning of the court in Bemis v. Upham, 13 Pick. 169, is appealed to as conclusive in support of this position.

In that case the plaintiff had obtained a decision at law establishing his right, and it was so alleged in the bill. That ease, however, turned upon a comparison of the two statutes of Massachusetts — one of 1827, chap. 88; the other of 1828, chap. 137, sec. 6 — the former giving to their courts of equity jurisdiction in any matter touching waste or nuisance, where there was not a plain, adequate and complete remedy at law; and the latter giving to their law courts power, after judgment in an action on the case for a nuisance, to order the nuisance to be abated, as in the case of a common nuisance. The question was not, therefore, as to the general jurisdiction of courts of equity in cases of nuisance, but as to the special jurisdiction conferred by the former statute. Upon that question the court held that the power given by the latter statute to their law courts was not the plain, adequate and complete remedy within the meaning of the former. Applied to that question, the reasoning of the learned chief justice is all that is claimed for it.

But when it is urged that the remedy in equity has superior efficacy and fitness to promote the ends of justice in cases of nuisance, the inquiry is suggested, what is the mischief to which the remedy referred to, as thus superior, is considered to be addressed ? If it is that damages have been sustained by reason of the nuisance, for this the remedy at law is in all respects as full and complete, and as efficacious and prompt, as in equity. Indeed, as to past damages thus sustained, equity affords no remedy when they are disconnected from all other grounds for its interposition. It is only when the mischief of damages sustained has connected with it some other mischief, such as, irreparable injury threatened, vexatious and oppressive litigation to be incurred, which superinduces the equity, that the equity jurisdiction attaches. Having jurisdiction to remedy the latter mischief, by enjoining against the irreparable injury threatened, or abating the nuisance, or by such decrees, defining and establishing the rights of all parties as will avoid the necessity of multiplied suits and oppressive litigation, it then takes jurisdiction of the former as incidental, by giving redress for past damages.

If, on the other hand, the mischief for remedy, of which equity is said to have the greater efficacy, is understood to be the danger of injury to be sustained, arising from the power and purpose of the party to do the acts complained of, and thereby occasion future damages — for this, in no case, does the law afford any remedy; in some none is afforded in equity, while in others, proper for the interposition of equity on the ground of the irreparable nature of the injury threatened, or the vexatious litigation or multiplicity of suits to be avoided by it — furnishes a remedy complete and adequate. The proposition, then, to take jurisdiction in this case, because of the superior efficacy of the equity remedy, is in effect a proposition to apply that remedy in a case where the only ground for applying it is, that, if applied, it will be complete and adequate. If applied in this case upon that ground, then it is to be applied in every case of a nuisance; and, by parity of reasoning, to every ease of threatened trespass or other wrong. The proposition is substantially to change the rules of equity upon the subject of alleged nuisances, and to make them and all other grievances from which injury is to he anticipated, a branch of equity jurisprudence, instead of inquiring in each case whether a recognized ground for the interposition of equity exists in the particular case.

Upon every view that can be taken of the case, there is no equity in the bill. The demurrer must be held good, and the bill

Dismissed with costs.

Case Details

Case Name: Coe v. Winnepisiogee Lake Cotton & Woolen Manufacturing Co.

Court Name: Supreme Court of New Hampshire

Date Published: Jul 15, 1858

Citation: 37 N.H. 254

Court Abbreviation: N.H.