89 Wis. 540 | Wis. | 1895
i. It is contended in behalf of the city that ch. 471, Laws of 1889 (secs. 1339J, 1339c, S. & B. Ann. Stats.), made Beclmith, as abutting lot owner, primarily liable for the damages in question, and hence that the trial court improperly granted a nonsuit in his behalf and at the same time refused a nonsuit in favor of the city. But that chap
2. The evidence is sufficient to support the finding of the jury to the effect that the alderman had knowledge of the defect before the injury, and that the city was guilty of negligence which caused the injury. It does not appear that the plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence. No-error was committed in refusing a nonsuit in favor of the city.
The city can take nothing by its appeal, and so far as the judgment is against it and in favor of Beckwith the same is affirmed.
3. Error is assigned in behalf of the plaintiff because the court refused to allow her damages for loss of time, as assessed by the jury at $1,000. At the time of the injury the plaintiff was a cloak maker, and had been for sev
The statute provides that “the individual earnings of every married woman, except those accruing from labor performed for her husband, or in his employ, or payable by him, shall be her separate property, and shall not be subject to her husband’s control, or liable for his debts.” R. S. sec. 2343. The case does not appear to come within any of these exceptions. Under this statute this court has gone so far as to hold that “ a wife may lawfully contract with a firm, of which her husband is a member, to run a boarding house for them for a stipulated share of the profits, and the share so earned by her will be her separate estate.” Brickley v. Walker, 68 Wis. 571, 573. See, also, Barker v. Lynch, 75 Wis. 624. From the discussions and decisions in these cases-it logically follows that the damages in question belong to the plaintiff as “ her separate property,” within the meaning of the statute quoted. Under the' statute she was authorized to “ sue in her own name ” and “ have all the remedies of an unmarried woman in regard to her separate property or business,” and also to “ bring and maintain an action in her own name for any injury to her person or character the same as if she were sole.” S. & B. Ann. Stats.
By the Oowt.— That part of tbe judgment of tbe circuit court appealed from by tbe plaintiff is reversed, and tbe «cause is remanded witb direction to enter judgment in favor ■of tbe plaintiff and against tbe defendant city in accordance witb this opinion.